Malibu Wines & Beer Garden Builds a West Hills Drinking Experience

Malibu Wines & Beer Garden in West Hills may not house zoo animals and large-scale art pieces like sister business Saddlerock Ranch, but the Semler family’s latest concept still delivers a unique drinking experience. The historic Spanish Mission-style hacienda—one-time home to silent film star Francis Lederer—now features a sprawling patio that holds 230 people. The setting touts trees strung with lights, a beehive-shaped fountain, tables shaded with red umbrellas and a shiny metal WINE structure that mirrors Robert Indiana’s famous LOVE sculpture.

Both the indoor and outdoor bar serve wines by the glass and five-wine flights (white or red). My Saddlerock red wine flight consisted of 2015 pinot noir, 2014 Sangiovese, 2016 merlot, 2016 zinfandel and 2014 cabernet sauvignon. Fifteen craft beer taps primarily draw from local breweries like Cellador Ales, Craftsman and Three Weavers.

Malibu Wines & Beer Garden encourages guests to bring their own food, though they do host the occasional food vendor. On weekends Two Doughs wood-fired pizza is normally available, but during my Friday night visit The Shrimp & Taco Stop truck was selling Mexican fare. The Italian Ice Shoppe from Woodland Hills was also present, hawking three different Italian ices made with Malibu Family Wines: merlot with cherries, pinot grigio with pineapple and rosé with strawberries.

23130 Sherman Way, West Hills, CA 91307