Note: this article orginally appeared on my site, Adventures of a Carry-on
From its early beginnings in the vineyards of Los Angeles to recognition as American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, San Antonio Winery has always been committed to leaving a legacy for generations to come.
Owned and operated by the Riboli family for over 100 years, today, under the Riboli Estates Group, the family owns vineyards in Napa Valley, Paso Robles, and Monterey County. The business evolved from its founding as a winery buying fruit from other growers, to owning over 1200 acres of premium vineyard land. Through the Riboli Estate Group, they produce wine using 100% estate grown fruit.
With an eye to the future, the family took steps to control more of the winemaking process, from the grapes they were growing to the bottle. They wanted to make better quality wines and they knew that becoming more sustainable was the way forward.
Two of the Paso Robles vineyards are already certified organic. Others are CSVW (Certified California Sustainable Vineyards and Winery). They reclaim wastewater and have their own treatment plant, use 100% solar energy, and recycle all waste at the winery.
I had never visited the San Antonio Winery or any of Riboli's properties, but I had tasted some of their wines. And I was familiar with their story, which I think would make a great movie.
In February, I was in Los Angeles and visited their historic property. Honestly, I don’t know what took me so long. You don’t even need to like wine to enjoy a visit to this LA icon. Anyone who geeks out on history, culture, and Italian food will love it. The wines are excellent, too!
San Antonio Winery History
In 1912, Santo Cambianica, an Italian immigrant, arrived in Los Angeles, and by 1917, founded the San Antonio Winery on Lamar Street. The winery was booming when Prohibition shut down over 100 wineries in Los Angeles County. But Santo, a devout Catholic, survived Prohibition by supplying sacramental wines to the Catholic church.
In 1936, Santo brought his sixteen-year-old nephew, Stefano Riboli, from Lombardy, Italy, to help with the family business. It wasn’t long before Stefano met his future wife, Maddalena Satragni. The story goes that the first time he saw her she was on a tractor and Cupid struck. Ten years later, Stefano married Maddelena, whom he had single-mindedly courted. In 1956, Maddalena and Stefano took over the management of the winery.
Maddalena Restaurant
Maddalena was responsible for many innovations and firsts at the winery. It was her idea to open a tasting room, which the family believes was the first in Los Angeles. Later she had the idea to sell sandwiches along with wine. A restaurant was the next step—and of course, they served some of Maddalena’s favorite recipes. Her homemade lasagna is still the top seller.
Maddalena also encouraged the family to purchase vineyards in premium locations to secure the family legacy in perpetuity. In case you’re curious, Maddalena is still very involved in the family business.
Now 105 years old, San Antonio Winery is a cultural and historical landmark in the city of Los Angeles and the oldest operating winery in Los Angeles County.
If you are in Los Angeles, I highly recommend a visit to the winery and restaurant, where many of Maddalena's recipes are still on the menu. There's a small section devoted to history, with historical photographs of the vineyards around Los Angeles County.
Another collection of photos documents the family tree. I learned that wine used to be fermented in huge redwood barrels—and you can see some of these impressive relics at the winery and in the restaurant.
Plan to eat lunch or dinner at the restaurant. The menu includes classic Italian dishes, like meat lasagna and lobster ravioli, as well as options like a New Zealand rack of lamb and beef tenderloin stir fry. The fresh bread is divine and made locally. Service is friendly and there is live music daily. This is a charming and relaxed experience that everyone can enjoy. You can visit the winery and restaurant for tastings, lunch, or dinner. Their Sunday brunch is so popular it often sells out, so book in advance.
The restaurant also offers wine flights, which is a good way to try new wines. We had the Central Coast Selection. It consisted of four dry wines, one white and three red wines.
Riboli Family Wine Brands
Windstream chardonnay from the Sarmento Vineyard located in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. The area is known for the ideal climate to grow Burgundian varietals. This chardonnay is briefly fermented in French oak barrels, which gives it a more rounded mouth feel that plays well with the ripe pear and apple flavors.
San Simeon Pinot Noir. I think this was my favorite wine of the flight, though I did enjoy all of them. I just like pinot noir. The San Simeon vineyards are in the Santa Lucia Highlands, perfect for growing pinot noir. This one is made with 100% estate-grown fruit and would pair well with your Thanksgiving turkey or a veal chop. It was also great with my lobster ravioli.
San Simeon Syrah. What can I say, a cool climate syrah is my preference. This has great acidity and structure, round tannins, and a gorgeous color. It feels lush in every way, and it is. My second favorite.
Opaque Petit Verdot. This one comes from the Stefano vineyards, named after the patriarch of the family in the Paso Robles AVA. These wines are full-bodied and fruit-focused, but approachable, which is saying a lot for a petit verdot. This wine would be amazing with a nice steak or rack of lamb.
The Riboli Estate Group produces many wines under other labels too, including Highland Forty One, Maddalena, and Riboli Family.
As stated in the Wine Enthusiast article, four generations later, the family who grew up working in the winery, continues to implement the same values and work ethic they learned as children.
I believe the vision of Stefano Riboli the patriarch and second generation is manifest today and will be for years to come. "It was always about working harder, to leave something greater for the next generation."
Stefano Riboli
