Where to Drink Natural Wine in LA
Skip the additives and opt for a funky orange, pet nat, or Old World-style wine.
Natural wines may be the latest trend in the wine world, but it is in fact a very traditional method of winemaking. Some may first associate the term with funkier (yet delicious) orange wines, but natural wines simply refer to those that are made without any additives or preservatives (some natural winemakers may add a very small amount of sulfites to stabilize the wines)—and most importantly, these methods make for wonderful wines. Typically made by small producers and sporting labels that don’t always indicate them as natural wines, these bottles can be difficult to track down for those new to the category.
With accessible wine regions like Valle de Guadalupe, Temecula Valley, Napa Valley, and Sonoma, LA has plenty of local vineyards and winemakers to source from. To make your natural wine expeditions that much easier, we’ve rounded up the best natty wine bars in the city, from Downtown LA to Santa Monica and beyond.
Propaganda Wine Bar
The Arts District’s newest wine bar, Propaganda serves an Italian-heavy list of naturally made wines alongside cheese, salumi, and snacks. Propaganda is also one of the few places in town that serves pinsa Romana, pizza’s cousin, with an airier crust that also packs less carbs. As a bonus, they also validate for two hours free parking in the Aliso Apartments parking structure, a rarity in downtown LA, and they also have happy hour with wine starting from $8 a glass.
Good Clean Fun
As the name suggests, Good Clean Fun in Downtown LA is a fun and approachable wine bar. The wine list focuses on “good clean” wines, meaning they lean heavily on natural options. There’s a full food menu serving oysters, pastas, and plenty of vegetarian options. Good Clean Fun has happy hour every day from 3-6 pm, special tacos on Taco Tuesday, and DJs Thursdays through Saturday nights.
Voodoo Vin
This intimate wine bar in Virgil Village is all about going big from a small space. Voodoo Vin boasts an impressive stockpile of 400 bottles of wine—which is surprising given the square footage they have. The list is mostly Old World wines with a wine-by-the-glass selection that is small but changes daily. The bar seats overlook a tiny kitchen where chef Travis Hayden cooks up a tight menu of seasonal, small plates like Peach Panzanella.
How to book: Walk-ins only.
All Good Things
All Good Things may close at 5 pm, but this neighborhood cafe and bodega is there for all your natural wine day-drinking needs, and more. Alongside coffee, tea, and breakfast all day, with menu items like a Wet Burrito and Loco Moco, they are also pouring a rotating selection of natural wines by the glass, or grab a bottle from the market side and enjoy with a plate of Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp.
How to book: Walk-ins only.
Barsha
This South Bay restaurant is not just one of the few restaurants in the area focusing on North African cuisine, but Barsha also has a great wine list. It rotates monthly and focuses on small production wines. There are always some natural wine options on the list, including their own Barsha orange wines, made in Tuscany. In addition to the restaurant, Barsha also runs a wine shop and tasting room in Manhattan Beach.
Anajak Thai
Open for more than 40 years, Anajak Thai has experienced a resurgence in the past few years, with son Justin Pichetrungsi taking over the helm at this family-owned restaurant. He brought his love of wines with him—these days, guests walking into Anajak are greeted by a long table full of wine bottles. Anajak pours natural wines from small vineyards around the world and recently hired a sommelier, so just ask which natural wine pairs best with that Southern Thai fried chicken.
Esters Wine Bar
This wine bar and shop from the Rustic Canyon group may not label themselves as a natural wine bar, but they are focused on wines that come from vineyards with earth-friendly practices. All the wines on their list are clearly labeled with whether the vineyard is organic or practices regenerative farming. On Sundays they offer a themed wine flight for $25 and on Monday Cellar Nights they pop open rare bottles from the cellar. Esters also serves a full, market-driven menu, including weekend brunch.
Wife And The Somm
This Northeast LA neighborhood restaurant and wine bar has a great patio to unwind with a glass of natural wine and enjoy their shareable plates, from Hamachi Crudo to Rib Cap. They offer a big selection of wines by the glass daily, including plenty of chilled red and orange wines. Wife and the Somm also offers a number of vintage and rare wines by the glass, thanks to the Coravin system.
Holcomb
This cozy wine bar has a large list of natural wines by the glass, including a few wines on tap. Find orange wines from New Zealand, white wines from Corsica, and plenty of Old World wines. Pair them with a selection of cheese and charcuterie, Steak Tartare or a Rillette Sandwich.
How to book: Walk-ins only.
Gasolina Cafe
This long-time Spanish cafe in Woodland Hills recently extended its hours and is now open as a wine bar at night. Gasolina Cafe is pouring exclusively natural wines from California and Spain, with a selection of tapas and conservas to go with the wines. They also host a monthly wine tasting on Wednesday with three wines paired with snacks. Customers can also buy bottles to take home for $20 off the wine bar price.
How to book: Walk in or reserve on Tock.
Tilda
This all-natural wine bar opened in early 2020 and was swiftly indoctrinated in the local wine scene’s hall of fame. Opened by local Echo Park residents, the intimate space is envisioned as an informal gathering place for wine lovers with a friendly staff ready to answer your questions. Tilda focuses on natural wines from California but carries small-production wines from all around the globe with a menu of small plates to accompany them. They also offer wines to-go and happy hour on weekdays from 3 to 6 pm.
How to book: Walk-ins only.
Melody
Melody’s spacious patio is one of the best spots to enjoy wine under the Los Angeles sun. The converted bungalow has a relaxed atmosphere, the rotating wine list consists of only natural wines, and there are always a few skin-contact wines on the menu. The menu descriptor under each wine is an excellent starting point for learning more about each producer and natural wines in general. The kitchen supports local chefs by hosting rotating pop-ups, with recent standouts like Mediterranean-inspired Birdeye and Amiga Amore’s soul-warming Mex-Italian food.
How to book: Walk-ins only.
bar bandini
Dark, sleek, and open late, Bar Bandini is the perfect wine bar to end a date night in Silver Lake. The wine list is small but intentional and rotates frequently, including a few wines on draft. There are always fun options on the wines-by-the-glass list, which tend to include a couple of pet-nat (petillant naturel) wines. They hold comedy shows every Wednesday held on the patio with drink specials.
How to book: Walk-ins only.
Tabula Rasa
Intent on making natural wines more approachable, Tabula Rasa brings in bottles at a remarkable value, accompanied by a menu of snacks and an unmissable Cuban sandwich. They have a daily happy hour with $2 off glasses and $7 house wine and you can purchase bottles to take home, including a section of wines for $22 or less. Need more reason to check out Tabula Rasa? Every Tuesday they partner with local organizations and donate 5% of the sales.
How to book: Walk-ins only.
Mignon Wine & Cheese Bar
This cozy spot is a tiny piece of France in the middle of Downtown LA, with a wine selection to match. The list is small, but changes frequently and tends to highlight small Old World wines from France to Georgia. From the same team behind Papilles Bistro, don’t snooze on the food while you sip, especially if you’re in the mood for some rustic French cuisine. Happy hour is from 6-8 pm with $8 glasses of wine.
How to book: Walk-ins only.
Lolo Wine Bar
With a charming, leafy patio, the list at this bistro skews towards French wines with some nods to California and other parts of Europe. The food menu features pastas made in-house and other bites including Kanpachi Crudo and Grilled Prawns. Lolo also has wine bottles for sale and there are fun packs available if you prefer to leave the choice in the hands of the professionals.
How to book: Walk-ins only.
Botanica
Botanica is everything you imagine Silver Lake to be with its pastel-toned dining room, bright market, colorful food, and a wine list to match. You’ll find natural wines from the usual suspects, such as France and California, but also from unexpected regions like Canary Islands and Tecate, Mexico. There is a full menu for brunch and dinner, with plenty of plant-based options as well as meat dishes. Ready for a deeper dive into the world of natural wines? Join their wine club or grab a copy of the natural wine magazine, Glou Glou, at the market.
Covell
Bar Covell has always been known for their supply of 150 wines by the glass and the no-list approach—instead, they’re happy to recommend a wine based on your preferences. This has introduced many Angelenos to new favorite wines they may not have otherwise ordered, including natural wines. The bar doesn’t only carry natural wines—for Wine Director Matthew Kaner, it’s all about enjoying good wines—but since naturally produced wines make good wines, you’ll always find some here.
How to book: Walk-ins only.