LA’s First Winery Since Prohibition Opens Tasting Room Next Spring

Angeleno Wine Company cleared three significant hurdles this month. The forthcoming winery received its first winegrower Alcoholic Beverage Control license this week, surpassed its $25,000 crowdfunding goal, and after four years of grape production, is close to starting its first harvest. Angeleno Wine Company is LA’s first winery since Prohibition, just behind the still thriving San Antonio Winery, which opened in 1917.

These recent milestones gave owners Jasper Dickson and Amy Luftig Viste some new dates to work with. Now that the winegrower license is handled, Angeleno Wine’s 1,200 foot tasting room hopes to open in spring 2019. And while the overall winery’s opening date is still up in the air, at the very least, they’ll have grapes.

Starting in 2014, the Angeleno Wine Co. began sourcing grapes 50 miles away in Agua Dulce from the Alonso Family Vineyard. These grapes will now make their way to Angeleno Wine’s facility in North Chinatown, right around the corner from David Chang’s majordōmo. When open, guests can either sample wine, or participate in the wine preparation process.

Yesterday was also the final day for Angeleno Wine’s Kickstarter, which raised $36,200. Thanks to the new permit and meeting their fundraising goal, Dickson and Luftig Viste plan to launch their wine club and sell wines while completing the winery. Some might recognize Dickson from Silverlake Wine or tasting events around town, but he’s also a second generation winemaker. As for the actual winery, that’s going to take a bit longer to rebuild the 93-year-old building which is made from brick recycled from LA’s first City Hall.

Angeleno Wine Company. 1646 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA

• LA’s First Urban Winery in Over 100 Years Will Open in Chinatown [ELA]