Is This Tiny Feature the Best Amenity California Hotels Have to Offer?

Whether you’re enjoying the great outdoors alongside a redwood forest in the north or soaking up the sunshine down south, checking into one of the Golden State’s finest hotels is an excellent way to give California living a five-star edge. But, according to a handful of buzzy California properties, the coolest amenity is a pristine pool or a serene day spa. (Though don’t get us wrong, we will definitely enjoy those perks any day of the week.) Rather, the secret to a great West Coast space is a wine wall.

“[It] provides a unique opportunity to engage with the local community and culture,” explains Bastiaan De Winter, assistant general manager of Monterey Beach Hotel. “Unlike a traditional bar, the wine wall serves as a visual centerpiece that invites exploration and conversation.”

The Lodge at Sonoma

Think of a wine wall as a high-end, adult-approved take on a vending machine: Each dispenser displays a handful of wines that guests can order with a simple touch of a button. Simply insert or tap a prepaid card—some hotels require you to top up with the front desk, while Monterey Beach Hotel offers a daily $25 credit—you can select your varietal and pour size. From there, the wine is dispensed and ready to be sipped.

Unlike ordering a glass of wine from a hotel bar—which is doable, but dependent on operating hours and crowd size—the wine wall gives guests the luxury of a customizable, on-demand experience. West Coasters live in a time when virtually everything can be accessed in a few taps and swipes—and the wine wall feels like a natural, oenophilic extension of that. 

The Lodge at Sonoma

“The aspect that makes utilizing our Wine Enomatic Dispensers and other equivalents so appealing are their ease of use and all-hour access,” explains Fungai Muzunze, general manager at The Lodge at Sonoma. “One looking for a nightcap outside of restaurant hours can satisfy their indulgences through the freshly stocked varietals.” 

De Winter adds that a wine dispenser can give guests the freedom to do their due diligence before placing their order. “Take your time to explore the offerings and read the tasting notes provided,” he explains. “Pairing your wine with some of the selections on a food menu can elevate your experience even further.”

Flexibility aside, this feature gives guests the opportunity to sample wines native to their destination. In fact, Muzunze says The Lodge at Sonoma regularly stocks varietals from local partners and wineries to highlight Sonoma County’s delicious bounty of grapes. “The rotating selection predominantly features [wineries] guests would likely find in their wine country excursions,” he explains. “This greatly impacts the exposure our partners receive and helps initiate the potential inquiry guests may have with the vintner directly.” 

The Lodge at Sonoma

Meanwhile, Monterey Beach Hotel’s stash features wines from a handful of American Viticultural Areas (or AVAs) like Salinas Valley, San Lucia Highlands, and Orea Valley. In doing so, these dispensers provide ample opportunity to expand your wine IQ.  “Consider trying something new,” De Winter recommends. “This is a perfect opportunity to discover hidden gems you might not typically choose!”

Wine-dispensing walls might be a draw now, but do they have staying power? According to these hoteliers, guests will want to revisit this amenity for years to come.

De Winter predicts that wine walls are not only here to stay, but they’ll continue to resonate with the ever-growing fascination of wine tourism. “People are looking for more than just a beverage; they want an experience,” he says. “The wine wall concept provides a unique opportunity to engage with the local community and culture.” Now that’s something we can certainly toast to!