What’s Cooking in Encinitas: A New Winery and Bakery Are On-Tap

This fall, Leucadia will become home to a winery, tasting room and restaurant. Longtime winemaker Christopher Van Alyea is launching his business there, which was going to be named Costa Azul, though that’s up in the air while some legal issues are ironed out. Architect Brian Church designed the building, which is under construction in the 900 block of N. Coast Highway and should be open for business by November.

Van Alyea said the approximately 5,000-square-foot-space will include a demonstration vineyard in the back so he can “walk people through the process of how wine is made.”  He also plans to make all of his wine onsite using grapes from around the region, and will have the capacity for about 300 barrels.

Van Alyea has made wine for 13 years under a couple of private labels and now that he’ll have his own production space, Van Alyea said he’s eager to work with others in the community who share his passion. “I’m really looking forward to meeting other local winemakers,” he said, adding that he’s happy to give feedback and frequently judges competitions for people who make their own wine. Van Alyea said he’ll be collaborating with a chef to develop a Mediterranean-inspired menu for the restaurant.

Next door to that new winery is a new bakery. In case you missed it , Foodie Amor is opening soon in Leucadia. The bakery prides itself on using all natural ingredients and no preservatives, or as owner Christine Miller explains it, “the old fashioned way.” 

Over in Cardiff, will open any day now.  Beth Bennett, director of marketing and special events for the eatery, says it could happen as soon as early next week—and as always, Patch will keep you posted. Until then, get sneak peek at the new beachfront digs in the photo gallery attached to this story.

There are still no signs of life at Native Foods Café, which at the Encinitas Village shopping center. That was , but space is still vacant and the Encinitas location is no longer listed on Native Foods Café’s website. Patch has contacted the company for more information, but as of press time, there was no response.

Seaside Market has rolled out a new website that includes an extensive database of recipes and online meal planner. There’s also a store events page, blog and a video library so you can watch tutorials on everything from how to properly grill a steak to how to pick a ripe pineapple. And instead of standing in line at the deli counter, you can place your order online.

Last month . In addition to fresh-baked breads and that wall-to-wall kaleidoscope of pan dulce, the menu has just been expanded to include gluten free tortillas and breads. There’s also all sorts of daily of breakfast and lunch specials—just don’t swing by on a Tuesday, because that’s the one day of the week the bakery is closed. 

Got the scoop on something related to the Encinitas dining scene? Do dish. Email editor Marlena Medford at marlena.medford@patch.com.