If you’re looking for something different to do to make the weekend extra special, Los Angeles is home to a number of wineries and breweries which can take you behind-the-scenes of their production. Other sites in the city offer a great range of locally made drinks for you to sample at a tasting session, and taprooms often have events to launch new products too. But where do you start in a city as large as ours to find the perfect venue for your mood or preference? Here, we do the work for you and have listed some of our favourite places to spend a few hours on a lazy weekend in LA. 

Californian wine captures the world’s attention, so why not yours in Los Angeles?

Wine drinkers will know that Californian wine is well-regarded, particularly after the shock result at the 1976 Paris Wine Tasting, where in a blind taste test, Californian versions of both Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon outscored the local French varieties - beginning the boom of New World wine. Nowadays, 95% of all US wine exported is made in California. Whilst Wine County in North California is the most prestigious wine-growing region, there are still some great wineries here in Los Angeles, as there are four viticultural areas in L.A. County: Malibu Coast, Malibu-Newton Canyon, Saddle Rock-Malibu, and Palos Verdes Peninsula. 

Our premier recommendation for a winery experience in Los Angeles is to take a trip to San Antonio Winery. Self-proclaimed as LA’s landmark winery, it was declared a historical landmark in 1964, having first been founded in 1917. Tours behind-the-scenes here take thirty minutes and are available to be booked seven days a week from their wine shop counter. There is also a great tasting experience here, which regularly receives glowing reviews, from Wednesday to Sunday each week.

Sometimes it’s just a tasting room that suits your needs for an afternoon out, and another great venue for this is Angeleno Wine Company. As they don’t sell food on site, they actively suggest for you to bring your own food and snacks to their site, so that you can make the most of their tasting room which is open on Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The venue also welcomes both pets and kids, and serves beer and non-alcoholic beverages too, so you can take the whole family for a visit. There is also a great tasting experience at Cornell Wine Co. Their Signature Tasting Experience costs $65 per person but you will be guided through 7 different wines, and you can even upgrade your package to have meats, cheese and snacks added onto your experience to make the most of the tasting session. This experience is also only available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but they also offer a flexible, no-reseveration experience of a tasting trio, where you can select three wines at the bar from the tasting menu and enjoy them in the tasting room, or on their outdoor tables. 

Rosenthal’s is another well-known name in Los Angeles winemaking, with their Malibu Estate offering an idyllic vineyard experience. Available on Saturday and Sunday, the 2.5 hour session allows you to either enjoy a tasting flight of 5 wines of a glass of your choice of wine, while surrounded by serene vineyard views, encouraging a relaxing break from the hustle-and-bustle of both the city and the coastline.

Enjoy a tasting flight of wines in Los Angeles; © Caroline Attwood

For those who like more flexibility in their winery experience, Malibu Wines and Beer Garden will meet your needs. A $20 deposit for your booking goes towards the tastings of their wines or even beers of your choosing. Reservations are recommended, and hold a table for 2.5 hours, but walk-ins are always welcomed too, with a mobile pizzeria on site on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Brewing beer is a true craft these days

Talking of beer, it’s only fair to mention that the rise of craft breweries has also benefited Los Angeles. Whilst most breweries in the country are in the North East or North West of the United States, the largest share of craft breweries are on the West Coast, including L.A. County. With American Pale Ale and American IPA beginning to surge in popularity, Los Angeles has become home to several taprooms, some of which offer tours to show you their craft up-close.

We can’t talk about beer in Los Angeles without starting with Angel City Brewery. Here, they have a taproom where you can delight in their most extraordinary range of beers - everything from IPA, pilsners and blondes, all the way to Gose, Hazy and West Coast IPAs, and internationally inspired ales (Belgian, English and Mexican are just a few recent recipes). A tour of the brewery takes 45 minutes and shows you the historical warehouse as well as their innovative brewhouse, culminating in a guided-tasting experience of beers made on-site. 

If you like a wide selection of great beers, a visit to the Arts District Brewing Company is in order. Located in Downtown LA, they host a rotating selection of 30 beers as well as cocktails and wine for you to enjoy. Beers on tap are brewed on-site, and they offer beer to-go including 6-packs that you can enjoy at home. Their menu offers everything from lager and blonde ale to IPAs and wheat beer. Plus, The Pub serves lunch on weekdays from 11-3, just in case you want a bite to eat with your beer tasting. 

Finally, Highland Park Brewery is also well worth your time. Located in Chinatown, this brewery is also home to regular taproom events - including for members, so if you find you love their beer, it would be well worth having a chat with them about their membership scheme. One thing we love about HPB is that they announce their upcoming menu on their website very regularly. You can always see what’s coming soon and start booking time in your schedule to drop in and try their latest limited edition offering. West Coast pilsners, Hazy IPAs and even the stronger DDH DIPA are all regularly brewed here, giving you a real taste of craft beer, made locally and celebrating the best the city, and beyond, has to offer. We always love looking out for their Fresh Friends releases, using hops from around the world to create new beers. 

Wineries and breweries are just one subsection of the great activities and nightlife that are available in Los Angeles. Sometimes you’re not looking for a rooftop bar or a high-energy venue, and that’s perfectly okay. Vineyard experiences and brewery tours are just another great way to explore the culture of our city, but in a more laid-back way. LA truly has something for everyone, no matter your mood or what your favourite things are to do. It’s right on your doorstep when you live or stay here.

Title image: Aerial view of Hollywood, Los Angeles; © Patrick Tomasso