Hello Back Bay Beignets,

We are taking a slightly new tack in today’s issue, highlighting the curious case of Newport’s first and only winery. While the general public seems to be drinking more matcha than wine these days, the fact that there is actually a functioning vineyard hidden at the top of Upper Newport Bay is a fascinating secret of our locale. Expect more write-ups like this and if you want us to do a deep dive on a hidden gem or historical landmark in Newport or Costa Mesa, please reach out.

To our new readers—welcome! The Back Bay Buzz delivers just the right amount of news and events for locals in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. No crime, no politics, no spam—just the good stuff. We scan newspapers, blogs, social media, business journals, and Google alerts so you don’t have to.

In today’s Buzz:

• Inside Newport’s Only Winery

• Big Lebowski Screening @ Synth Beer Co

• Free Pancake Day @ IHOP

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

The Story Behind the Exclusive Newport Vineyards

Newport Beach Vineyards & Winery was founded in 1998 by Richard Moriarty, a member of Orange County's prominent Segerstrom family, alongside Loren Blackwood. Today, the estate continues to be owned and operated by Richard Moriarty and his wife, Marilyn.

The origin story of this unique vineyard begins with Moriarty's childhood aversion to yard work. Growing up, he despised mowing lawns, viewing the chore as a massive waste of both water and time. When he acquired his 3.5-acre property situated above the Upper Newport Bay, he decided to completely forgo grass in favor of planting grapevines. This practical landscaping choice evolved into a passionate pursuit, leading Moriarty to secure the first new wine license issued in Orange County in 100 years. He spent years painstakingly developing the property from the ground up, blending his agricultural roots with a flair for entertaining. In 2012, the vineyard reached a major milestone when it bottled the very first estate-grown wine in Newport Beach history, marking the first estate wine produced anywhere in Orange County in over a century. The property is still one of the only wineries in OC to actually grow it’s own grapes (most import them from more established vineyards in Napa).Today, the property operates primarily as an exclusive, highly sought-after private event space that pairs its winemaking heritage with a distinctly eclectic atmosphere.

The property features a 1,000-square-foot subterranean wine cave secured by massive 3,000-pound mahogany doors, which is used for aging their award-winning Bordeaux-style blends and hosting private, intimate dinners. Visitors often highlight the estate's magnificent botanical gardens, koi ponds, and a large exotic bird aviary—which famously became a sanctuary for the "Goldenrod 6" chickens after they were exiled from Corona del Mar due to a city ordinance in 2012.

The winery thrives on its unique personality rather than traditional winery polish, offering memorable, unconventional experiences like their popular monthly "lunch with goats." On a more sober note, the winery does not have a public tasting room, all events are private and must be booked in advance…still worth not having to drive to Temecula.

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UPCOMING:

• Newport Needlepoint Club Meetup - Newport Needlepoint
  “2026 is the year for Grandma hobbies”
  Tuesdays 6-8pm
  Info

• Trivia Night - Bootlegger’s Brewery
  Tuesdays 7-9pm
  Directions

• Free Yoga Class - Seed Peoples Market
  Wednesdays @ 10am
  Info

• Baby Goat Yoga - Tanaka Farms
  Saturdays 10am (Hana Field)
  Info

• ABBA Tribute Live - Lido Theater
  CORRECTION: Saturday March 7th (Not the 8th).
  Info

• Live Music, Free Yoga On the Green - The Camp
  Saturday Mar 14th
  10am-4pm
  Info

• The Big Lebowski Free Screening - The Lab
  Hosted by Synth Beer Co, BYO chairs (or rugs)
  Friday Mar 6th
  6pm
  Info
  

• Free Fitness Class: Intro to MELT Method - Newport Coast Community Center
  Saturday Mar 14th
  9am and 9:45am
  Register (class code: NCC276 or NCC277)
  

• Overland Expo 2026 - OC Fairgrounds
  March 14-15, Sat 9-5, Sun 9-4
  Info

• Cottagecore Spring Faire - Woodbury Town Center (Irvine)
  Saturday-Sunday Mar 14th & 15th
  10am-4pm
  Info

• Record Store Day - Various Locations
  Saturday Apr 18th
  Check out all locations in The Back Bay Map Room
  

• AirIWater Porsche Lifestyle Event - OC Fairgrounds
  Saturday Apr 25th
  9am-3pm
  Tickets

• Songs in the Canyon - Canyon Park (Costa Mesa)
  June 12-14
  Info
  
  

Worth The Drive:

• Sample Sale - Freenote Cloth (San Juan Capistrano)
  A mere 12 minute train ride from Irvine Station, pairs well with True Love coffee and lunch at River Street. 
  Saturday Mar 7th
  9-4pm
  Directions
  
  

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH OC?

Check out our great partner newsletter:

🌊 Water temp = 60º
Suit Rec: Spring suit/Full suit 3/2, maybe booties (widdle puss in booties?)

THIS WEEK:

• Toddler Tea Party with a Princess ($37) (SOLD OUT) - Once Upon an Island (Balboa Island)

  Monday, 02 March

  10:30 am - 11:30 am
  Info

• Coffee & Mom Walk in Newport Beach

  Monday, 02 March

  10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  info

• Chick-Fil-A Playdate with Mom Walk Co Irvine

  Tuesday, 03 March

  8:00 am - 9:00 am
  Info

• Free Pancake Day at iHOP

  Tuesday, 03 March

  12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
  Info

• The Craft Lab at Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library

  Wednesday, 04 March

  4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
  Info

• Art Space at Newport Beach Central Library

  Thursday, 05 March

  4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
  Info

• Discovery Day at Centennial Farm in Costa Mesa

  Friday, 06 March

  9:00 am - 12:00 pm
  info

Worth The Drive:

• Tiny Tots, Little Sprouts at the Ocean Institute - Dana Point
  Spring Session March 2nd-April 23rd
  Info

• Festival of Whales - Dana Point
  Saturday March 7th-8th
  10am-4pm
  Info

Plan Ahead:

• Leprechaun Trap Craft - Home Depot (Harbor Blvd)
  Saturday March 7th
  9am
  Info

• Critter investigations - Upper Newport Bay
  3rd Wednesday of each month
  10-11am
  Info

• Stem Workshop - Carters x Kiwi Co. (Tustin Market Place)
  Second Saturday of Every Month
  10am -12pm
  RSVP

• Cottagecore Spring Faire - Woodbury Town Center (Irvine)
  Saturday-Sunday Mar 14th & 15th
  10am-4pm
  Info

• OC Uke Fest - Campus Jax
  Sunday Mar 22nd
  Info
  

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor trying to book a time with the Wine Goats with no success.

PS: Feel free to let me know any feedback or inside scoops you have for the newsletter. Just reply to this email, I read every one. Thanks!