San Antonio Winery - Los Angeles, California - L.A.'s Oldest and Only Wine Producer

The historical San Antonio Winery and Riboli Family Wine Estates have been operating continuously since 1917. They have survived as California's only remaining winery with production in Los Angeles, where more than a hundred vineyards once covered the Los Angeles River Basin. For this accomplishment, the winery was duly accorded the status of "City of Los Angeles Cultural Monument Number 42'' in the early 1960s.

The award-winning wines handcrafted here draw on produce from family-owned vineyards in viticulture areas throughout the state. For four generations, the Riboli Family has applied the skills originally brought by its founders from the wine lands of Lombardia, Italy to make delicious table wines for family and friends.

During the Prohibition Era, many wineries failed. The San Antonio Winery, however, was able to continue operations by producing sacramental wines for the local churches and parishes of Los Angeles County. Then, as Southern California's wine industry moved to regions in the North in the mid-20th century and the Los Angeles River was paved over, the Riboli Family acquired additional vineyards to remain in competition with supplies of quality grapes. Properties tied to the San Antonio Winery include the prestigious Rutherford appellation of Napa Valley, the Templeton Gap area of Paso Robles, and Coastal Range acreage close to Eberle Vineyards and Wildhorse.

Still operating from its original location on Lamar Street, the San Antonio Winery is today a state-of-the-art facility with old-world traditions. Guided tours are scheduled daily for visitors to see how wine has been made here for almost a century, from raw produce to the final bottled product. On weekdays, tours start on the hour between noon and 2pm. On weekends, the tours run hourly between 11am and 4pm. There is no charge for admission.

Two types of tastings are offered at the winery. The complementary tasting features three free samples from a selected list, while the so-called "Artisan Series'' tasting provides any three wines for $8 or any four for $9. The latter includes highly limited reserve wines from the Riboli Family Estates.

There is also a Wine Shop on site, representing not only the products of the San Antonio Winery, but also high-quality wines from California, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and elsewhere. Redwood gift boxes and custom gourmet baskets are also available, as is shipping to most U.S. states (some restrictions may apply).

Located the heart of the San Antonio Winery is the Maddalena Cucina restaurant. Designed to resemble a gourmet trattoria, seating is among century-old redwood aging casks. The menu is decidedly Italian, featuring fresh herbs and organic vegetables. Specialties include pastas and ravioli, grilled meats, rotisserie chicken, seasonal fresh fish, salads, sandwich plates, homemade desserts and, of course, the Riboli Family Estate's award-winning wines.

The restaurant is open daily for casual dining, Monday through Friday from 10am to 7pm for lunch and dinner; weekends from 9:30am to 7pm for all meals. Last orders are taken at 6:15pm daily. Groups of eight or more persons must make a reservation in advance. The San Antonio Winery is located at 737 Lamar Street, Los Angeles, California 90031.