Bar in Little Italy, San Diego

Helping to balance out the craft beer scene in Little Italy is Pali Wine Co., which soft opens this weekend in advance of its grand opening, scheduled for November 5.

Pali’s new India Street tasting room is its third venture in California — it also operates locations in Lompoc and downtown Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone neighborhood. Founded in 2005, the artisan winery produces vineyard designate and AVA-specific Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from sites in California and Oregon as well as Rhone and Bordeaux varieties grown in the Central Coast under its sister label, Tower 15. Tasting flights are $15 for five selections, but the fee is waived with the purchase of two bottles.

Beyond its bottle offerings, the tasting room will feature a rotating selection of eight "fresh" wines, blended straight from the barrel to keg, that will be available for tasting or growler fills. Food-wise, Pali Wine Co. offers light bites, including whipped feta with crackers and a charcuterie board.

The remodeled 1, 600-square-foot space includes a 20-foot-long tasting bar, a wine lounge, and a rooftop deck; a barrel room that will be used for a small wine production with local grapes, can also be utilized for private events.

Current operating hours are Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. but Pali is planning to extend to lunch service soon and will be open daily at noon.