Angeleno Wine Company
Get the Dirt from Jasper Dickson
“Our focus is bringing winemaking back to Los Angeles and making wine from local Los Angeles area vineyards. Proving that we can make awesome, unique wines here in southern California.”
What was your first vintage year?
First vintage for Angeleno Wine Co. was 2015.
How many cases do you make per vintage?
We make around 2000 cases per vintage.
Do you have a Tasting Room?
We do have a tasting room. Currently it is by apt only, but we hope to officially open by the end of June!
If not you, who is your winemaker?
I am the winemaker along with my partner Amy Luftig Viste.
What wine made you want to become a winemaker/start your own winery?
Drinking a bottle of Champagne-style sparkling wine on my 21st birthday that my Dad had made for me when I was a baby.
What varietals do you work with? Which varietal/wine is your favorite to make? Why?
We work with a lot of Spanish varietals as the main vineyard we work with here in California is owned by a Spaniard. If I had to pick I would say my favorites are Tannat and Albariño.
What vineyards do you source from? Why? If Estate, why do you choose your location?
We mostly source from the Alonso Family Vineyard here in Los Angeles County. We also get some fruit from our good friends at Bokisch Vineyards up in Lodi.
What type of oak treatment do you use? Why?
We tend to use neutral oak on everything. This way you get the benefits of using a barrel to help soften and develop the wine, but you can let the fruit speak for itself without getting masked by the oak flavors.
What do you love about your winemaking region?
What makes it different special? Los Angeles is the birth place of California winemaking and has an amazing almost forgotten history of viniculture and viticulture. Yet the fun thing is that is like the wild west out here. There is such a small amount of us making wine from local fruit and there is no president, so its all about exploration and discovery! I love it!
What’s the story behind your winery name / label?
Our focus is bringing winemaking back to Los Angeles and making wine from local Los Angeles area vineyards. Proving that we can make awesome, unique wines here in southern California.
What’s the one thing you wish someone had told you about the wine business before you started your own winery? Do not skimp on a small floor drain. Put floor drains everywhere.
Most importantly, what’s so great about being small? What can you do as a small winemaker, that wouldn’t be possible for larger wineries?
It’s easier for us to innovate and have a deeper connection with both the wines we make and our customers that enjoy those wines. It’s never about the wines it’s all about the people. Wine is a medium for people.
How do you view the future in the wine industry for small-lot winemakers?
Bright and beautiful!
If you had to choose another wine region to work in what would it be?
New Zealand. Sometimes living in a place with more sheep than people sounds pleasant.
For more information about Angeleno Wine Company, please visit their website.