September signals grape harvest time at vineyards throughout the Golden State. But did you known that the city of 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 tree 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, Los Angeles County encompasses six different American Viticultural Areas or AVAs, and award-winning artisanal wineries are producing throughout the region, including Malibu, Bel Air, Santa Clarita, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, and even DTLA, near Circa. Check websites for tasting rooms, tours and special events.

Wine lovers rejoice! In select residences, Circa kitchens come equipped with under-counter wine storage to keep your bottles at the optimal temperature.

Our stylish kitchen island is the perfect spot for you to conduct your own wine tastings at home. Gather your friends, pop the cork, and toast to Circa’s epic views. 

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. 

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. Their wines are naturally made,100% vegan, and elegantly balanced to express Los Angeles’ unique character: a growing region where the desert meets the sea.

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 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. While most of the grapes come from their Santa Rita Hills estate, Pali Vineyard, Pali partners with a handful of other family-owned and world-renowned vineyards in the area, such as Fiddlestix, Rancho La Viña, and Bien Nacido Vineyards.

Malibu Family Wines 28001 Dorothy Dr. Agoura Hills, CA 91301

After a wildfire in 1978, Ron Semler purchased the land that is now Saddlerock Ranch. The current 1100-acre ranch is home to many farm animals, vineyards, ranch hands and the Semler Family. Perfectly positioned at the crest of the Santa Monica Mountains, in the Saddle-Rock Malibu AVA, the vineyards are quite unique, with rocky terrain and steep south-facing slopes that provide the perfect environment for growing premium wine grapes. Today, the hillside vineyards comprise approximately 70,000 vines on 70 acres with twelve varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and more. The Semler family warmly welcomes visitors, guiding them through a captivating exploration of their wines.

Cielo Farms Malibu 31424 Mulholland Hwy. Malibu, CA 90265

Nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, Cielo Farms is known for its great wine, as well as the stunning panoramic views you’ll enjoy when you visit. Unique to Cielo is the winery’s gorgeous Tuscan-inspired estate that sits on over 30 acres of land among a grove of olive trees. You’ll feel transported far from Los Angeles, even though the winery is such a short drive away. Reserve a table at “The Barn,” and take in the views of the mountains while you taste a flight of Cielo’s Woodstock and Estate wines. A selection of small plates and pizzas is available on weekends.

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, who noted, “This is one of the most distinctive little treasures in California…These are serious wines made with a French orientation. The reds are very St. Julien-like and the whites are sensational efforts reminiscent of a top white Bordeaux.”

Rosenthal The Malibu Estate Vineyard Kanan Dume Rd & W Newton Canyon Rd, Malibu, CA 90265

Great news for fans of family-owned wineries! After losing their PCH tasting room in the January fires, Rosenthal has relocated and is excited to welcome you back with the limited-time launch of The Vineyard Experience—a more intimate, reservation-only setting to reconnect, celebrate one another, and savor great wines in an idyllic canyon landscape. Your visit includes a curated tasting flight of 5 Rosenthal and Surfrider wines, plus a rotating bonus pour, or a glass of Rosenthal or Surfrider wine of your choice—all enjoyed in their idyllic canyon vineyard setting nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains.

The Stonehaus 32039 Agoura Rd. Westlake Village, CA 91361

The Stonehaus is a vineyard, restaurant, and boutique enoteca reminiscent of a charming gem you’d find in the Italian countryside. They offer a selection of wines from around the world, including their own private label wines. Whether you are looking to taste your way through the varietals or enjoy a glass with friends by the outdoor fireplace, they provide each guest with the opportunity to sip, taste and discover dozens of wines in an authentic European setting. The restaurant offers a variety of European-inspired small plates, and their signature wine and pizza pairing. All pizzas are made to order in their outdoor pizza oven, with a thin crust and using only the finest ingredients. 

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, and climatic and geographic advantages unique to the Sierra Pelona Valley.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Moraga Bel Air 

Photo #2: Circa

Photo #3: Circa

Photo #4: San Antonio Winery

Photo #5: Angeleno Wine Company

Photo #6: Pali Wine Co.

Photo #7: Malibu Family Wines

Photo #8: Cielo Farms Malibu

Photo #9: Moraga Bel Air

Photo #10: Rosenthal The Malibu Estate Vineyard

Photo #11: The Stonehaus

Photo #12: Agua Dulce Winery