WetStone Solana Beach is built around the idea that great wine and thoughtful food do not need to feel formal or exclusive. The menu draws inspiration from Latin America, France, Spain, and Asia, offering shareable plates meant to encourage conversation and exploration rather than rigid coursing or pretense. The emphasis is on flavor, balance, and accessibility.
The wine program is a central pillar of the concept, with a focus on discovery and small producers. The list highlights off-the-beaten-path selections, rotating features, and wine flights curated to introduce guests to lesser-known regions and styles. Most wines are available by the glass, and many selections lean organic, biodynamic, natural, or low-intervention, reflecting a growing interest in transparency and sustainability among wine drinkers.
The space itself has been designed to feel welcoming and social, with indoor and outdoor seating, golden-hour energy, and a come-as-you-are sensibility. WetStone’s operators emphasize that elevated cuisine does not need to feel stuffy, and the goal is to create a place where locals can gather comfortably whether stopping in for a casual glass of wine or settling in for a full evening.
Ownership of the Solana Beach location includes hospitality professionals Jennifer Dermer and Graham Zimmerman, who bring a combined background spanning boutique hospitality, large-scale restaurant operations, and fine-dining kitchens. The Solana Beach opening represents the newest iteration of the WetStone Wine Bar concept and expands on the brand’s existing presence in San Diego's Bankers Hill.
Dermer’s career path includes early work in public relations in New York, followed by years in international education in France and Los Angeles, before transitioning into hospitality management in San Diego. She has held leadership roles at both independent restaurants and high-volume operations, experience that has shaped the guest-focused approach behind WetStone.
Zimmerman is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, where he earned a bachelor’s degree and trained in a program known for producing chefs at the Michelin-level standard. His background includes opening Morimoto Napa, working in Napa Valley, and overseeing restaurant openings within Embassy Suites properties across multiple cities. More recently, he has held culinary and purchasing roles in San Diego hospitality operations.
The Solana Beach location is operated in partnership with Christian Gomez of WetStone Wine Bar in Bankers Hill, reflecting a broader expansion of the brand within San Diego County. Looking ahead, WetStone Solana Beach plans to introduce monthly wine tastings, winemaker events, wine memberships, and late-afternoon social gatherings aimed at strengthening its ties to the local community.
WetStone Wine Bar Solana Beach is now open at 346 S. Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach. For more information, visit wetstonesolanabeach.com.