The Santa Monica favorite evolves into a Barcelona-inspired bodega featuring a massive 200-bottle wine list, female-led vintners, and authentic Basque-style snacks.
By Dolores Quintana
Bar Xuntos — Vinos Naturales & Pintxos, is the newest phase of the Spanish tapas and wine bar from Chef Sandra Cordero, an evolution from the restaurant Xuntos at 516 Santa Monica Boulevard in Santa Monica.
Tapas are the Spanish appetizers and pintxos are the Basque region’s version of the pre-dinner snacks or an accompaniment to glasses of wine and cocktails, sometimes served on skewers. While the Basque region is in Spain and France, they have a separate and proud culture and their own culinary traditions.
At the revived Bar Xuntos, you will find Barcelona-style bikini sandwiches, seasonal croquetas and the aforementioned snackable pintxos alongside Spanish delicacies like Jamón Ibérico and conservas.
Wine director Scott Baker has harnessed his “20 year obsession” with natural wines to transform Bar Xuntos into a haven of Spanish natural wine, minimal-intervention producers, and the new wave of Spain’s most compelling winemakers.
Additionally, the wine program features a list of over 30 wines by the glass, an extensive list of over 200 bottles of artisanal wines, and a selection of vermouths, sherries, and artisanal Spanish imports. Many of the vintners are women and are part of a wave of “wild, honest” Spanish winemakers, which include “Pepe Raventós & Envínate, disrupters like Antonella Gerosa of Partida Creus, mentors such as Sara Pérez, local legends Joan and Angels Rubió, and emerging talents including Alicia Serres, Oscar Navas and Jorge Olivera.”
Bar Xuntos will be open Tuesday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday throughSaturday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. No reservations are needed for lunch service or the Pintxos & Tapas Tasing menus for dinner. The curious can follow @barxuntos for special pours, monthly winemaker takeovers and wine dinners to come.
