September signals harvest time at vineyards throughout the Golden State. But did you know that Los Angeles County encompasses six different American Viticultural Areas or AVAs? The AVA on a wine label indicates the specific geographical area a wine comes from and where the grapes are grown.
Historical photo of the entrance to Wine Street (renamed Olvera Street in 1877), looking north, c. 1869. The Avila Adobe is visible on Wine Street.
Los Angeles has a storied history of wine-making – in fact, LA was once called the “city of vines.” Commercial winemaking began in downtown Los Angeles when Jean-Louis Vignes built his winery around a 400 year old sycamore near today’s Union Station. Throughout the 19th century, many acres of grapevines grew right where contemporary landmarks now stand, and a number of downtown streets are named after old winemakers. Today, award-winning artisanal wineries are producing throughout the region, including Pasadena, Santa Clarita, Bel Air, Malibu, and even DTLA near Circa.
Stonehaus September Harvest Crush 31943 Agoura Rd. Westlake Village, CA 91361
Sept 25 Westlake Village Inn’s Stonehaus is hosting an upcoming harvest event, complete with grape picking, vineyard lunch, live music and a traditional grape stomp reminiscent of an Italian-inspired, winery experience. Included with your ticket is a family-style, vineyard lunch with cheese, charcuterie, salad, rotisserie chicken and a glass of wine from the Stonehaus label. With an indoor-outdoor, vineyard setting, The Stonehaus wine bar offers varietals from California, Italy and its private label. They also serve pizza baked in an outdoor oven and such breakfast items as smoothies, pastries, bagels and croissant sandwiches. Buy Harvest Crush tickets HERE
San Antonio Winery 737 Lamar St. Los Angeles, CA 90031
A historical landmark since 1965, San Antonio Winery remains the oldest and largest producing winery in Los Angeles with over 100 years of winemaking, making it an essential component of the city’s cultural and historical landscape. Founded in 1917 by Santo Cambianica, the winery continues to be a family-owned and operated business, with four generations of the Riboli Family. Experience winery tours, tastings & flights, and authentic Italian food at their Maddalena Restaurant, named after the family matriarch Maddalena Riboli.
Pali Wine Co. 811 Traction Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90013
Take a seat and have a sip in the open patio at Pali Wine Co. in LA’s buzzing Arts District. Founded in 2005, Pali Wine Company is a family-run winery that highlights the diversity and nuanced qualities of the California Central Coast wine-growing area. Every Pali wine comprises sustainable, organic or biodynamically sourced grapes, grown with exceptional farming standards that result in ultra-high-quality wines that uniquely express the grape’s variety, vineyard and vintage. All wines are meticulously crafted at Pali’s Lompoc-based winery under the direction of its long-time winemaker, Aaron Walker.
Angeleno Wine Company 1646 N Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90012
When Jasper Dickson and Amy Luftig Viste founded Angeleno Wine Company in 2019 – the first winery in the city of Los Angeles since Prohibition – they wanted to reconnect with the city’s winemaking tradition, one that many Angelenos know nothing about. With a focus on unique varietals, Angeleno Wine Company aims to push the boundaries of what Southern California wine growing can be, working with small vineyards in the beautiful, remote corners of Los Angeles County, such as Agua Dulce and the Antelope Valley. The Angeleno Wine Company tasting room is open Saturday and Sunday 12-6-PM.
Malibu Family Wines 28001 Dorothy Dr. Agoura Hills, CA 91301
The self-proclaimed “California in a bottle,” Malibu Family Wines specializes in crafting unforgettable experiences around premium wines. With 70,000 vines on the 1,000 acre Semler Family ranch nestled in the hills of Malibu, Malibu Family Wines produces over 12 different varietals between the Semler and Saddlerock brands. Perfectly positioned at the crest of the Santa Monica Mountains, the rocky terrain and steep south facing slopes provide the ideal environment for growing premium wine grapes. For a truly memorable occasion, book a tour and explore vineyards, see some incredible views, explore Chumash cave paintings, and more.
Moraga Bel Air 1070 Moraga Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90049
Moraga Vineyards is one of the most unique wine estates in California. Located at a 550-900 foot elevation in the Santa Monica Mountains in the Los Angeles community of Bel Air, the winery and vineyard is the source of remarkably refined wines that perfectly reflect a union of distinctive terroir and the gentle guidance of focused winemaking. Throughout its history, the wines of Moraga Bel Air have been coveted and highly praised by wine experts such as Robert Parker, Jr. of The Wine Advocate. Since 2013, the winery has been owned by Rupert Murdoch, who has made the property his West Coast home and is committed to carrying on the legacy of producing top quality wine from one of California’s most unique estate wineries.
Vin de California 3225 E Foothill Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91107
Adam and Kate Vourvoulis and their Vin de California winery are reviving Pasadena’s long-dormant wine industry with their recently opened Vin de California winery. The first commercial winemaker to be located in Pasadena in nearly a century, Vin de California make wines from heritage varieties in a totally natural way, deeply rooted in California history. They sources their grapes from vineyards ranging from the Central Coast to Los Olivos, with a commitment to buying from California growers who work with ethical vineyard management and picking companies. Tour the winery, then shop at Kate’s wine boutique, The Good Luck Wine Shop, adjacent to the winery.
Agua Dulce Winery 9640 Sierra Hwy. Santa Clarita, CA 91390
If you want to take a fun day trip, Agua Dulce Winery is a 90 acre, family owned and operated winery and vineyard located just 45 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles. Wines from Agua Dulce Winery have won multiple medals in several national wine competitions, recognized for their hand-crafted approach to wine making, along with a vineyard blessed with natural soils, climatic and geographic advantages unique to the Sierra Pelona Valley.
Photo credits:
Photo #1: Stonehaus
Photo #2: Atlas Obscura / USC LIBRARIES/CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY/CC BY 3.0
Photo #3: Stonehaus
Photo #4: San Antonio Winery
Photo #5: Pali Wine Co.
Photo #6: Angeleno Wine Company
Photo #7: Malibu Family Wines
Photo #8: Moraga Bel Air
Photo #9: Vin de California
Photo #10: Agua Dulce Winery
