LA's Newest Tasting Room Opens This Week In Santa Monica Featuring Wines from the Malibu Coast

The Los Angeles Wine scene is gaining a new tasting room, as AJA Vineyards is set to open their tasting room in Santa Monica on Wednesday, October 9th. Recently we've seen a flurry of wineries opening urban tasting rooms in the city, with Pali Wine Co/Neighborhood Winery, Tensley Wines, and Byron Blatty Wines opening locations. Angeleno Wine Company fought for years to establish their winery/tasting room in 2019, making them the first public winery to open in Los Angeles since prohibition. They all had to walk so AJA Vineyards can fly.  

After a journey that took over 5 years to accomplish the goal of bringing their wines directly to the people—join AJA Vineyards for the grand opening of its highly anticipated tasting room in Santa Monica, California, on October 9th, 2024. Located at 1417 2nd Street, Suite C, this milestone marks the first tasting room of its kind to open in the iconic beachside city, paving the way for Malibu Coast wineries and local producers to shine on a larger stage.

Visitors to AJA Vineyards’ tasting room can expect to indulge in a curated selection of wines that showcase the unique terroir of the Malibu Coast, along with a commitment to quality that has become synonymous with the AJA name. It's all in the family, as the operation involves two generations working together in all aspects of winemaking, vineyard oversight, marketing, retail operation, and accounting. 

“We’re thrilled to bring the essence of the Malibu Coast to Santa Monica,” said Amanda Rubin (née Greenbaum), visionary and proprietor of AJA Vineyards. “This tasting room represents more than just AJA wines—it’s a celebration of local craftsmanship and community.”

Amanda Rubin (née Greenbaum) is a Malibu native and her passion for winemaking was sparked in her youth as she grew up immersed in her family’s vineyard. Under her family's guidance, she delved into the world of viticulture, researching the cardiovascular benefits of wine and waking up for early-morning harvests long before most teens would start their day. Sharing the family story with visitors to the tasting room will show just how close-knit the Greenbaums are. Wondering where the name AJA comes from? It's an acronym of Todd & Heather Greebaum's children: Alec, Jack, and Amanda. In addition to the Wildflower Rosé, named for Heather, Amanda crafted a special bottling of rosé for her recent wedding. Don't forget to ask where the name Eds' name from, referencing the vineyard source of their Estate Sauvignon Blanc.