During the 1850s Los Angeles County was
the center of the wind production in California with 43
wineries were producing four million gallons of wine.
Rapid urban growth, Prohibition, an epidemic of a vine-killing
disease, and the rise of Napa and Sonoma in the North,
however, soon wiped out the Los Angeles wine.
Only one Los Angeles winery survived the turmoil, San
Antonio Winery in downtown Los Angeles.
Over 100 years later, wine is making
a comeback in the Santa Monica Mountains. Hidden in the
canyons are more than 40 vineyards. Most are small however
a few that are commercial enterprises. Best known Malibu
Vineyards are Jim Palmer's Vineyards and Rosenthal Malibu
Estate.
