Each September, California Wine Month celebrates the state’s grape harvest and its deep winemaking roots. And few places embody that history like San Antonio Winery, the oldest and largest producing winery in Los Angeles, family-owned since 1917. If you’re looking for California Wine Month events with real heritage behind them, here are five ways to raise a glass with the Riboli family this year.
1. Taste Wine Where LA Winemaking Began
There’s no more fitting place to mark California Wine Month 2026 than the winery that has been part of the city since 1917. San Antonio Winery still sits on its original Lamar Street location in downtown Los Angeles and was designated Cultural Monument Number 42 by the city’s Cultural Heritage Board. Stop by the flagship tasting room for a Counter Tasting—casual sampling at the tasting bar with knowledgeable staff, no reservations required—and sip where California’s wine story took root. Start planning on the Wine Tastings page.
2. Book a Hosted Tasting or Wine Sampler Flight
To go deeper, reserve a Hosted Tasting: a guided wine-education experience that comes with an individual artisan charcuterie board. Prefer to explore at your own pace? Order a Wine Sampler, a curated flight served in the Tasting Room cafe. Both are a great way to discover the range of the family’s award-winning wines during Wine Month, and larger groups of 10 or more can book a private tasting for a celebration. See the options at the Los Angeles tasting room.
3. Dive Into a Four-Generation Family Story
California Wine Month is as much about people as it is about the pour. San Antonio Winery was founded by Santo Cambianica in 1917 and famously survived Prohibition by producing sacramental wines, becoming the number-one provider of altar wines in the region. Today, four generations of the Riboli family carry on the legacy, with vineyards in Paso Robles, Monterey, and Napa Valley. It’s a genuinely LA story worth reading before you visit—get to know it on the About Us page.
4. Make It a Meal
Wine tastes better with food, and the winery makes it easy. Pair the family’s wines with fresh Italian cooking at the historic Maddalena Restaurant, or settle onto the open-air patio at The 1917 Outdoor Restaurant for French and Italian plates and a spritz. A leisurely lunch or early dinner turns a tasting into a full California Wine Month outing.
5. Toast California Terroir at Home
Can’t make it in person? You can still celebrate. Stock up on wines grown across the family’s California estates—from Paso Robles Cabernet to cool-climate Monterey Chardonnay and Pinot Noir—and host your own Wine Month tasting at home. Browse the full selection on the Shop Wines page, or explore the estates behind the bottles on the Vineyards page.
FAQs
When is California Wine Month 2026?
California Wine Month is celebrated each September, coinciding with the state’s grape harvest, so 2026’s celebration runs throughout September.
Do I need a reservation to taste at San Antonio Winery?
Counter Tastings at the LA tasting bar don’t require a reservation. Hosted Tastings and private group tastings (for parties of 10 or more) are reservation-based, and booking ahead is recommended during Wine Month.
Is San Antonio Winery really the oldest winery in Los Angeles?
Yes—founded in 1917, it’s the oldest and largest producing winery in Los Angeles and is designated the city’s Cultural Monument Number 42, still operating on its original Lamar Street site.
Where can I celebrate California Wine Month with the Riboli family?
The flagship is in downtown Los Angeles, with additional tasting locations in Ontario and Paso Robles. You can taste, dine, or shop wines online to celebrate wherever you are.