In September 2005, after huge success of Trattoria I Trulli in Encinitas (opened in 2000) and Buon Appetito in Little Italy (opened in 2003) Salvatore and Daniela Caniglia with Antonino Mastellone opened Sogno Divino—"to dream of wine"—and fulfilled Daniela's longtime dream of owning a wine bar. At the time, wine bars were just coming into style. The only wine bars in San Diego were the long-established Grape on Fifth, Hillcrest's posh Wine Encounter, and the brand-new, hip Wine Steals, also in Hillcrest.
One evening at Wine Steals, Daniela brainstormed the name for her own creation, the first wine bar in Little Italy. Salvo and Tonino (owner of Arrivederci and Arrivederci Pizzeria in Hillcrest)—gave Daniela carte blanche to design and put the pieces together, and Daniela rose to the challenge.
Today, Sogno Divino boasts a stylish, carefully curated wine list offering vintages hand-chosen from wineries all over the world. The elegant tasting menu was painstakingly designed to complement the wine and beer selection.