Tasting the Wine, Beer, and Cider of California’s Conejo Valley.

When you’re in California, it’s pretty easy to find a nice glass of wine or a cold craft beer. Conejo Valley is no different. During our weekend getaway to Conejo Valley, we tasted what the area, a short jaunt from Los Angeles, has to offer.

Sunland Vintage Winery

On our first night, we stopped in at Sunland Vintage Winery and had a wonderful time sipping wine and listening to Michael and Debby Giovinazzo talk about their wine and history.

Michael Giovinazzo has Italian heritage and wine runs in his blood, though he didn’t necessarily always know that. He hasn’t been making wine his whole life. Wine, rather, was more of a retirement plan. Mike’s grandfather, Giuseppe Giovinazzo, was a winemaker in Italy and became a bootlegger in the United States during Prohibition. When Prohibition was repealed, he started Sunland Vintage Company in Los Angeles.

The Sunland Vintage Winery tasting room is located in a strip mall in Thousand Oaks. They’ve been making wine for six years and the tasting room has been open for three years. The tasting room recently underwent an expansion and is a cozy place to visit, relax, and sip wine.

Ladyface Ale Companie

Ladyface Ale Companie is a brewery and restaurant in Agoura Hills. If you want to have a hearty meal with your craft beer, Ladyface Ale Companie is the place to visit. My favorite beers from our tasting was the La Grisette, a Belgian farmhouse wheat ale with a crisp tart taste that was almost citrusy, and the Picture City Porter, a nice rich porter that was sprinkled with coarsely ground coffee bean to accent the coffee flavor.

Westlake Brewing Company and 101 Cider House

On our quest for new Southern California craft beer we also stopped in at Westlake Brewing Company, located in an industrial park in Westlake Village. Westlake Brewing Company is a fun place to hang out. Along with bar-height tables there are also pinball machines, an air hockey table, and a stage for live music.

As much as that all is, there’s more. The same space houses 101 Cider House, so those not into beer can have a nice cold cider. 101 Cider House’s ciders are made with natural ingredients, locally sourced apples and quince. They have no added sugar, are 100% raw, and are unfiltered. Flavors are unique, like the pineapple mint, watermelon basil, and cactus red.

The most intriguing is the Black Dog, a black cider made with Ventura lemon and activated charcoal. Rome thought it looked like a science experience, but it was actually my favorite, so I had to learn the story behind this inky cider. Apparently the cider-maker is a bit of a health nut, so he decided to make a “healthy” cider with a detoxifier thanks to the activated charcoal. You know, so you can detox while you tox.

Malibu zoo and winery

It’s a wonderful time of year to escape to Conejo Valley. So grab a friend, decide where to stay, and start planning your trip to Malibu Zoo and Winery Safaris today.

It’s a wonderful time of year to escape to Conejo Valley. The weather is warm, the crowds are mellow, and there’s never a bad time to relax and catch your breath. Make Conejo Valley your home-away-from-home for a few days while you hike, golf, swim, shop, eat…and meet some four-legged friends at Malibu Wine Safari!