This November, Rioja will take center stage at the LA Wine & Food Festival
Bringing the vibrant spirit, diversity, and heritage of Spain’s Finest wine region directly to Santa Monica. As part of its centennial celebration as a Denominación de Origen, Rioja is crafting a special experience that will delight wine lovers, industry insiders, and culinary connoisseurs alike.
About the Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival:
A Taste of LA Like Never Before
Hosted by Tastemade, the LA Wine & Food Festival (LAWFF) is a three-day celebration of culinary creativity, global flavor, and Southern California style. Taking place November 7–9, 2025, at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, LAWFF brings together acclaimed chefs, top beverage producers, and visionary artists for an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of LA.
Guests will explore a vibrant mix of tasting pavilions, immersive pop-ups, and artistic food installations—all designed to showcase the city’s dynamic cultural mosaic. From bold street flavors to refined tasting menus, LAWFF is more than a food festival—it’s a sensory journey through the heart of Los Angeles, where food, art, and innovation collide in true Angeleno fashion.
In what is now the DOCa Rioja region, ancient Romans left the first-known traces of winemaking in Rioja, eventually inspiring those who came after them to grow vines and craft the area’s key commodity.
Rioja winemakers embrace advanced winemaking techniques in France. Pioneers such as Luciano de Murrieta, Baldomero Espartero and Manuel Quintano lay the groundwork for modern Rioja wines.
The first Rioja regulations were introduced in 1928, providing crucial protections for the region’s wines. This regulation even predated the 1932-1933 Wine Statute, which later formalized the legal framework for Spain’s Denominations of Origin.
When the 1980s arrived, even more care went into the quality of Rioja wines. Additional quality assurances were introduced, including certifying vintage and aging classifications.
Rioja became Spain’s first Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa), signifying the highest quality standard. This milestone ushered in a new era of commercial expansion, structural growth, and modernization, particularly in viticulture.
In line with its strategic plan, the Regulatory Council approved six new grape varieties to enhance the complexity and competitiveness of Rioja’s white wines.
This updated strategy emphasized value creation, profitability, innovation, and collaboration while reinforcing sustainability in all aspects of production.
A comprehensive plan was launched to optimize vineyard production control, strengthen quality controls, reduce bureaucratic burdens, and increase marketing funds. Sustainability becomes a top priority for Rioja.
