Los Angeles, known for its beautiful weather, blockbuster entertainment and skinnier-than-a-writing-utensil celebrities, has never been known for its wine. Traditionally, the city imported its vino from valleys like Napa, Sonoma, Simi, but most certainly not San Fernando. Wineries have been a part of Los Angeles since the early 20th century, however, and a few continue the tradition, giving the city yet another kind of local flavor.
Drinking Downtown
San Antonio Winery, located in Downtown Los Angeles, has been producing wine since 1917. Owned and managed by the Riboli family, the winery is the last of what was once over 100 wineries that lined the Los Angeles River Basin. It managed to survive the 1930s by producing wines for the church, sidestepping the Prohibition Act and enabling the company to a run that continues today. Its history, a mirror for the immigrant experience of old LA, makes a trip to the winery a perfect complement to a day spent exploring the historic sights of Downtown. The winery offers wine tastings and tours, as well as wine pairings at the adjacent Maddalena Cucina Restaurant.
Imbibing on the Westside
Further west and in a more tony section of town sits Moraga Vineyards . Hidden like a secret in the hills of Bel Air, Moraga began as a horse ranch back in the 1930s. When the current owners, Tom and Ruth Jones, purchased the property, they realized the land shared many of the same traits (soil and microclimate) as that of the famed Bordeaux wine region in France. A testament to the quality of the wine produced, the vineyard’s wines can be found on many a menu of the top restaurants of Los Angeles and New York. Though Moraga Vineyards is not open for tours, those interested in sampling some of the vineyard’s stock can check the winery’s website for a list of restaurants and retailers around Los Angeles that carry their products.
Sipping By the Sea
Finally, and located in perhaps the most picturesque setting of the three wineries, is Rosenthal Estate. Sitting high in a Malibu canyon, and kissed by gentle coastal fog, Rosenthal opened its doors in 1987, making it the youngest of the three LA wineries. Though the vineyard’s doors aren’t officially open to the public, interested parties may still garner an invite to the winery by making inquiries, or, as is so common in Los Angeles, by knowing the right people. However, even if someone can’t get into the winery itself, they can still sample the wine at the vineyard’s tasting room (which is located not on the vineyard grounds, but along the coast on the Pacific Coast Highway), or at various restaurants around the city.
Jennifer Vitanzo - A writer and editor by trade—be it articles, grants, songs, poetry or reviews—Jennifer can cover it all. She's a part-time ...
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