Instead of hopping on an airplane or planning a weekend road trip to wine country, why not spend the day wine-tasting in Los Angeles? I am not talking about heading to a restaurant, wine shop, or wine bar to taste wine. I am not talking about an actual winery with vineyards. I am talking about winery tasting rooms that are scattered across Los Angeles.
From Malibu to Santa Monica to West LA and from Downtown LA to Highland Park, wineries have opened tasting rooms in the middle of the city. Now you can go wine tasting right here in Los Angeles.
While it is unlikely that wine tasting is the first thing you think of when you think of Los Angeles, it shouldn't be that much of a surprise. Even before California became part of the United States, Los Angeles was poised to become the winemaking epicenter of the West Coast. By 1850, the Los Angeles area was home to over 100 vineyards, and the city’s first-ever seal dubbed Los Angeles the “city of vines.”
One reminder of Los Angeles’s wine past is the San Antonio Winery. The winery has been operating since 1917 and is located east of downtown Los Angeles. It welcomes guests with a wine shop, restaurants, and private event space.
Of course, the city has grown and most of the old vineyards are gone. Here is the good news: wonderful winery tasting rooms are scattered across Los Angeles, inviting you to taste wine.
Where To Taste Wine In Los Angeles
MALIBU
Grapes have been grown in Malibu since 1824. In 2014 the Malibu Coast AVA was granted. The AVA covers the Santa Monica Mountains between the Pacific Ocean and Mulholland Highway. There are 198 acres of vineyards planted, but these vineyards are on private estates.
Only a few welcome you to taste on their property - Malibu Wines, Cielo Winery, and Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate Vineyards. But you can still go wine tasting in Malibu at two stand-alone tasting rooms.
Summer Somewhere
3822 Cross Creek Rd, Malibu, CA 90265
Open: Wednesday – Friday 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Saturday – Sunday 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Summer Somewhere is the blend of the passions of owners Billy and Stacey Dims. Billy had been working in wine when he met Stacey who opened a bespoke resort wear showroom, Summer Somewhere. Upon their engagement, Stacey asked Billy to make her a rosé wine for their wedding. Today Summer Somewhere sources organic, biodynamic, and sustainably farmed fruit from vineyards in Santa Ynez Valley to produce Provence style rosé, as well as Gruner Veltliner and Burgundian, Rhône and Bordeaux varietal wines.
Where: The tasting room is located inside the Fred Segal boutique at the Malibu Country Mart. This is off the Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu Canyon Road.
Vibe: From the freshness of the wines to the elegant packaging, Summer Somewhere embodies a relaxed beach chic vibe. Grab a seat outside where you can people watch or sit inside and admire the beautiful housewares on display. Top it off with friendly and knowledgeable staff offering welcoming hospitality.
Wines to Try: Summer Somewhere offers several flight options, including a white/rosé flight, a mix of everything, and a reserve flight. Wine by the glass or bottle is also available. If you like fresh, elegant wines, you will not be disappointed. Wine flights range from $34-$42, with a reserve tasting at $80.
Tips: Reservations are optional. Summer Somewhere offers light bits for purchase, or you can order food from a local restaurant. My suggestion is to order oysters and lobster rolls from Broad Street Oyster and pair them with the Gruner Veltliner and Chardonnay.
Rosenthal Malibu Wines
18741 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
Open: Wednesday - Friday 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Saturday 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Sunday 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm
George Rosenthal, the entrepreneur who founded the real estate company Raleigh Enterprises and owns the Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood, purchased his 250-acre Malibu retreat in 1987. He carefully researched the property to plant the correct varieties and planted 28 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Viognier, and Chardonnay. Estate wines produce the Rosenthal wines, and the “G" collection wines blend a combination of Rosenthal Estate-grown grapes with grapes purchased from other regions in California. The Surfrider label uses grapes from around California and a portion of the proceeds from each bottle of Surfrider sold goes to support organizations that help preserve the beauty of our oceans and waterways and the safety of its wildlife.
Where: The Rosenthal Malibu Wines tasting room is located on Pacific Coast Highway, across from the ocean.
Vibe: This beachside tasting room offers a casual, relaxed atmosphere. There is an indoor wine bar offering flights. But the draw is the outdoor tables where you can enjoy the fresh ocean air while sipping wine and listening to live music.
Wines to Try: Whether you want a wine flight, a glass of wine, or a bottle, Rosenthal offers it all. For wine flights, which cost $30, you can choose a white wine flight, a red wine flight, or a mixed flight. For a taste of Malibu, be sure to try the estate wines, including Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Tips: Reservations are required for outdoor tables, especially on weekends and large groups are welcome (you can book online for up to 30 guests). Check the website for the live music and events schedule. You are welcome to bring your own food or order delivery from a local restaurant to enjoy as you relax and sip your wines. On Saturdays, a different food truck is onsite every week.
SANTA MONICA
AJA Vineyards
1417 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Open: Wednesday – Thursday 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Friday – Saturday 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Sunday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
AJA Vineyards is a family project for the Greenbaums. Named after the three children of Todd and Heather, AJA is an acronym for Alec, Jack, and Amanda. The family property is in Malibu with 2.2 acres of vines planted to Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and a mix of Bordeaux varieties. Daughter Amanda Rubin (née Greenbaum) went to culinary school and studied viticulture before returning home to take the family hobby into a commercial business in 2019. A family business, the vineyard blocks and wines are all named after a family member. In addition to the estate vineyard, AJA sources from vineyards in the Central Coast including Paso Robles, Edna Valley, and Sana Ynez.
Where: AJA Vineyard’s tasting room is on 2nd Street in Santa Monica. Only a few blocks from the beach, the tasting room is located next to a Pilates studio and surrounded by restaurants. AJA Vineyards is Santa Monica's first-ever winery tasting room.
Vibe: AJA Vineyards tasting room has a youthful city chic feel. It is an unpretentious space that feels more like an urban gathering place for friends. A long tasting bar sits in the middle of the space, with white banquettes and high-top tables. A flat-screen television is on the wall for those occasions when an important sporting event is on.
Wines to Try: AJA offers a selection of wine flights, but every tasting starts with a “Somm bomb”. This shot glass filled with a white wine blend is a light, refreshing palate cleanser that you can shoot or sip. All the wines are delicious and worth trying but don’t miss Ed’s Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, the FIVE Red Wine, a co-fermentation of the five Bordeaux varieties, or the Pamela’s Vineyard Syrah, all great expressions of the Malibu Coast AVA. AJA offers four different flights (Classic, Reds, Whites & Pinks, and Estate) that include five wines and range from $30-$45.
Tips: The AJA Vineyards tasting room is dog and child-friendly. Bags of chips and popcorn are available for purchase and food can be ordered from North Italia Restaurant across the street. Stop in for a glass of wine, or a flight, before or after a movie or dinner.
BRENTWOOD
Tensley Wines
11677 San Vicente Blvd, Ste 116, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Open: Wednesday – Saturday 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Sunday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Tensley Wines was launched in 1998 by Joey Tensley. Tensley started as a “cellar rat” for Fess Parker Winery in Santa Barbara County and then worked as the assistant winemaker at Babcock. He then became the Assistant Winemaker at Beckman in 1998. It was at Beckman that Joey developed his love for Rhone varieties. When he launched his label the same year, his focus would be on Rhone varieties sourced from Santa Barbara County.
Where: The original tasting room is in the Santa Ynez Valley, but the second Tensley Tasting Room is in the heart of Brentwood in West LA. It is surrounded by restaurants and retail shops on the ground floor of Brentwood Gardens, a small shopping mall on San Vicente Blvd.
Vibe: A minimalist space, the Tensley tasting room is a meeting place for wine and art with furniture that can be moved to accommodate different size groups. The white walls are adorned with colorful pieces by American painter and independent curator Lawrence Gipe, as well as art from Artist C.B. Hewes, a second-generation bartender.
What to Try: The same Tensley wine selection is available in the Santa Ynez and Brentwood tasting rooms. Wine flights cost $25 and include four wines during the week and five wines on weekends. The wine flights change with some regularity, but there will always be Syrah to taste. After all, that is Joey Tensley’s primary grape and the reason some have come to call him the “God of Syrah.”
Tips: The tasting room is almost hidden in plain sight. Self-parking and valet parking are available under the building. And if you are looking for a space for a meeting, event, or celebration, check out Tensley in Brentwood.
DOWNTOWN LA
Angeleno Wine Company
1646 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Open: Friday 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Saturday 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Sunday 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
Honoring the wine tradition of Los Angeles, Angeleno Wine Company was the first winery to open in Downtown Los Angeles since prohibition times. Founded in 2015 by friends Jasper Dickson and Amy Luftig Viste, their focus is on unusual grape varieties from local Los Angeles County vineyards. A primary vineyard source is the Alonso Family Vineyard in Agua Dulce, where Grenache, Tempranillo, Graciano, Godello, Tannat, Syrah, Albariño, and many more varieties are planted. Angeleno makes its wine onsite where their tasting room is located. The wines are made in small batches using native fermentation. The grapes are stomped by foot, and each bottle is hand-corked.
Where: Angeleno Wine Company is located on Spring Street near the Los Angeles River in Downtown LA. Located north of Chinatown, the tasting room, located in a 1925 building made from brick recycled from L.A.’s first City Hall, sits steps away from the site of L.A.’s first vineyards.
Vibe: Angeleno Wine Company is an urban winery, and the warehouse-like space has cool, hipster vibes. Set among the wine tanks are long picnic tables for wine tasting. The setting is casual, but the staff is well-informed, friendly, and engaging.
What to Try: Angeleno Wine Co offers a solid flight of wines for $20. From a Graciano rosé, Albariño, and a co-fermented skin-contact Moscato/Albariño to Syrah, Tannat, Alicante Bouschet, and more, you cannot go wrong with any wine you taste at Angeleno Wine Co.
Tips: Angeleno Wine Co. has a parking lot. If you purchase two bottles of wine, the tasting fee for one will be waived. If you join the wine club, two tasting fees will be waived.
HIGHLAND PARK
Byron Blatty
5122 York Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90042
Open: Thursday - Friday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Saturday 2:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Sunday 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
Byron Blatty Wines was established in 2014 by Mark and Jenny Blatty. Mark, a native of Los Angeles, and his wife Jenny fell in love with wine after traveling in Napa. But it was after tasting a Los Angeles-made wine that inspired Mark and Jenny to focus on grape varieties grown in Los Angeles County. Showcasing the diversity of Los Angeles County, they work with sustainably farmed, family-owned vineyards and work with more than 15 different grape varieties.
Where: Byron Blatty opened their tasting room in the ethnically and socioeconomically diverse Highland Park neighborhood in Northeast Los Angeles.
Vibe: The tasting room is quaint and cozy. Grab a seat at the long bar or one of the high-top tables. There is a good chance you will find Mark behind the bar pouring their wines but no matter who is pouring, you will be in good hands.
What to Try: Bryon Blatty produces single-varietal wines, as well as blends. A predominantly red wine producer, there is also Rosé and a Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon white wine. For reds, there are single varietal Grenache, Tannat, Syrah, or Cabernet Sauvignon, or red blends, such as Undertake (a Zinfandel blend), Evenfall (a blend of Tempranillo, Petite Sirah and Merlot), Agenda (a blend of Syrah and Tannat) and Evident (a blend of Syrah and Petit Sirah), or Contingent (a blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon). All of the wines are balanced and smooth and reflect the terroir they come from. These wines can be found in three flights of four wines each, ranging from $25-$35.
Tips: One tasting fee is waived with any three-bottle purchase. Wines are also available by the bottle.
SHERMAN OAKS
Fuil Wines
Fuil, pronounced “fool” in Irish Gaelic, means “blood, kindred, nature.” Fuil Wines was launched in 2022 by Matt and Carolina Espiro Jaeger. Actor by day, Matt became a winemaker by night after discovering cool climate wines of Santa Barbara County. He picked up side jobs in wine and started interning for Dusty Nabor in 2021. Fuil’s focus is on producing small lots of hand-crafted wines.
Where: One Sunday each month, Fuil hosts a pop-up tasting room at Bouvette Wine Bar, 15005 Ventura Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91403
What to Try: Fuil is a small producer with only five wines. There are two single-varietal wines, a Viognier and a Syrah, and three blends, a white, a rosé, and a red.
Tips: Check the Fuil website to find the dates of the monthly pop-ups at Bouvette and any other pop-ups they do in Los Angeles.
SANTA CLARITA
Santa Clarita is north of Los Angeles but still in Los Angeles County, so it is worth pointing out three more winery tasting rooms.
Hoi Polloi Winery
24338 Main St, Newhall, CA 91321
Pagter Bros
The Double Trouble Wine Room, 24338 Main Street, Old Town Newhall, CA 91321
Pulchella Winery
24261 Main Street. Santa Clarita, CA 91321
About the author:
Allison Levine is the owner of Please The Palate, a boutique marketing and event-planning agency. Allison is Level 3 WSET Certified from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust and is certified as an Italian Wine Specialist from the North American Sommelier Association. She also has a master’s degree in international communications with a focus on cross-cultural training from the American University School of International Service. Allison is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers and as a freelance writer, she contributes to numerous publications while eating and drinking her way around the world. She is also the host of the Wine Soundtrack podcast and co-host of the YouTube video series Crush On This. You can find additional content on her blog at Please The Palate; Instagram/Threads @plsthepalate; Facebook: Please The Palate
