Eve has the results of our “SCV Corkage Fees” search

I recently queried Facebook pals, restaurant owners and those that receive our Dear Wine Friend newsletter to collect corkage fees around Santa Clarita.  This article is the result.

But first a definition of a corkage fee: For my wine 101ers a corkage fee is a set amount a restaurant or wine bar may charge you if you bring a bottle of your own wine in – that is preferably not on their wine list – and they usually open and serve for you.

Eve at SCV Wine fest 2012, photo credit Candy Sparks

We are still collecting the fee policies from our local Santa Clarita area.  If you know a fee (that is not already listed below) please e-mail it back to me.  We have quite a few so far but there are plenty more we don’t know yet.  Please keep in mind this list was partially compiled by readers – those in bold came directly from restaurant owners or their representative.

Non-wine serving restaurants: With some restaurants that don’t serve wine, don’t presume you can’t bring it in.  With the Philly Cheese Steak place I called and asked about corkage and the owner was thrilled to not only learn what it was, he offered plastic cups if we wanted them.  Any restaurateur knows that money is made on alcohol, and, if they aren’t selling it, they may be more than willing to let you bring it – as they will be making money on the food you buy to go with it instead of you going elsewhere.

So, if you normally would have wine at home with Chinese, Mexican or whatever, ask about corkage.  You may find that not only will your dining experience be enhanced, your restaurant appreciates your business enough to accommodate you!

Our List

Backwoods: Been quoted $5 and, more recently, $7.

Bj’s: Used to be free on first bottle.

Cheers @All Corked Up: $10.

Downtown Philly Cheese Steaks*: Free, bring wine glass (or they will give you a complimentary plastic cup) and corkscrew.

Hidden Havana Cuban Café: Free.

Lazy Dog Café: No corkage fee on wine brought in as long as it’s not currently listed on their menu, and any leftover can be taken home.

Le Chene: $15.

Lee’s Wine Bistro: $20.

Lima Limon: $7.

Marstons: None.

Maru: $15, $18 if need a decanter.

Mom Can Cook Thai Kitchen: $9.

Mulligans Valencia: $10.

Oaks Grille Valencia (Inside TPC): Non-member price is $20 per bottle (plus tax & tip) and members is $12 per bottle. We charge $12 per bottle for special events as well.

Piccola Trattoria: $15, additionally, if the party purchases another bottle of wine from our wine list on their visit, we waive the corkage fee!

Poached Pair: Bring on your own Champagne any Saturday morning and the corkage is free.

Rattlers BBQ: $5.

Romano’s Macaroni Grill: Unfortunately locations are not BYOB although they said they “have an extensive wine list available at our Valencia location.”

Roman Holiday Wine Lounge: $10.00 for 25oz (standard bottle) and $20 for a Magnum.

Route 66 Classic Grill: $10.

Sabor: $15.

SAKE Bistro: $14.

Salt Creek Grille: $10.

Spumoni: $12.

Stonefire Grill: $2.

Thelma’s: Free.

Vines: $15.

Wine 661: No corkage on wine purchased at my store. $20 corkage for those who bring in outside wine. With more than 150 wines by the bottle, I liken bringing wine to a wine bar as bringing your own steak to Morton’s.

Wolf Creek: $10 first bottle and $5 for any that come next.

9 thoughts on “Eve has the results of our “SCV Corkage Fees” search

        1. Yes, and once again, I find a way to get you out here! How about you pick a place from this list that we can meet at? After I get back from “covering” the Olympics of course!

  1. Eve,

    Thank you so much for doing the research, this is great…can’t wait to try new places, while enjoying the wine of my choice

    shipwreck

  2. Great list from the area. Quite interesting seeing which restaurants are catering to their patrons and allowing them to bring their favorites. Many restaurants due to economy do not have enough depth in wines to cover everyones palates.

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