Olvera Street — Attraction in Los Angeles

Fancy some wine history? Let’s go back in time.

L.A. was once up to its neck in wine. Before 1877, Olvera St was known as Wine St / Vine St, or Calle de las Vignas (Street of the Vines).

In the late 1700s, Spain provided its own grape for winemaking, as California’s native varieties were lacking. This “Mission” import was high in sugar, low in acid, yielding sweet, tawny, unstable & dull wine, so it was fortified with brandy. It wasn’t great, but adequate.

By 1818, thousands of these vines were being cultivated. A Mission hybrid was later introduced, likely at Mission San Gabriel; this became more popular. By the mid-1800s, L.A. was known as “The City of Vines”. Soon, commercial winemaking would become one of its main sources of income.

That world is no more, but there are echoes right here that reveal what was once a robust winemaking community.

When a new wave of European immigrants arrived after the Spaniards in the early 1800s, the local viniculture received a boost in plantings & expertise. The first Frenchman here (and its first French winemaker) was Louis Bauchet, who arrived in 1827. Yet more prominent was his peer, Jean Louis Vignes, who came in 1831. Their vineyards were located where Union Station is now. This area would soon become a thriving French colony (Bauchet & Vignes are streets nearby. Coincidentally, Vignes’ name fittingly means “vines”). A native of Bordeaux, Vignes made the crucial step of importing better European grape varieties, as the popular Mission hybrid variety was uninspiring. By 1842, he was making regular shipments of his wine to northern California. By 1860, the French represented up to 20% of the city’s population; “Frenchtown” stretched from here to Little Tokyo.

Pelanconi House was built as a winery by Giuseppe Cavacci (Covaccichi) around 1855, and was later owned by Antonio Pelanconi. The ground level was a wine cellar, and its stone fireplace was used to prepare sherry. Gazza & Cavacci operated additional wine cellars here in the 1850s.

There was another winery and distillery here belonging to Antonio Valla & Giacomo Tononi, founded in 1870. Later, the Pelanconi & Tononi families would become part owners of the wine storage directly across Pelanconi House. This bodega was named North Cucamonga winery/Padre Vineyard Co/The Old Winery (which is the same building that houses El Paseo Inn & Mr Churro). Giovanni Demateis would run his winery from this same bodega. Many more Italians around here made wine until Prohibition; only San Antonio Winery survived (nearby).

Vineyards were the preferred crop, before being ravaged by drought & disease. Grapes (and other fruit crops) were cultivated along the river on both sides, and carpeted the valleys & foothills. When Mexico seized the missions’ landholdings, these were divided into ranchos. Policies were then relaxed, meaning grapes could now be cultivated for commercial use.

Vignes helped make winegrowing a commercial enterprise here. By 1858, growth of this industry grew to 4 million grapevines in California. L.A. was the center of this expansion, with 75 vineyards (and 100 wineries) inside its city limits. Long before Napa or Sonoma were knighted for their winemaking prowess, L.A. wore the crown. By 1869, it led the state in wine production.

Observe the grapevines climbing their way above the shops, which originate from the courtyard of Avila Adobe (and Pelanconi House). These are the Mission hybrid variety, & have been here for over 200 years. In recent times, they have been harvested to make Angelica wine. Among its many former tenants, this adobe once housed Secondo Guasti, who would later operate the largest vineyard in the world in Rancho Cucamonga.

The history associated with L.A.’s viticultural past, as well as its impact regionally and abroad, exceeds in significance when compared to this street’s namesake, and former resident, Agustin Olvera.

L.A. is where winemaking first flourished commercially in the New World. The city’s first seal reflects how important this industry once was here, and...

What an amazing place! Olvera Street in Downtown Los Angeles is a vibrant escape that transports you into the heart of Mexico. Visiting after church, the lively atmosphere made us feel like we’d stepped across borders. The colorful alley buzzes with cultural energy, offering an authentic slice of Mexican heritage right in the heart of LA.

The street is lined with stalls selling authentic Mexican goods, from handcrafted souvenirs to vibrant textiles, each brimming with tradition. We were treated to a mesmerizing native dance performance that brought the culture to life, adding depth to the experience. It’s a place where every corner tells a story, immersing you in its rich heritage.

Though we didn’t dine this time, Olvera Street’s restaurants are renowned for their Mexican cuisine, with El Paso Inn and La Luz del Dia earning high praise. I’ve bookmarked both on Yelp for a future visit to taste their offerings. This cultural haven is a must-see, and I’m eager to return for the food and more of its...

Olvera Street, October 31, 2024 🎃 Hollween Day 👻 Me & my family had came here to enjoy El Rancho Grande's "Spanish" food their Taquitos and Guacamole Sauce a (family tradition for years) & so much other delicious 😋 & tasty foods 🤤 my mouth is watering right now! Olvera Street has so much to offer as you walk through the shops & stores & with so much tradition from the leather shops & sliver shops within them & the pottery & clothing to offer & just so much more as wood toys from the old world & new the world today! So come & see the beautiful El Pueblo de Los Angeles & the surrounding area around it & as always we were making ❤️ loving family memories for generations to come. Thank You to all of the Olvera Street merchants & vendors & families throughout the many years. Viva! Olvera Street 🇲🇽 🎉 🎊 🇲🇽 🎉 🎊 🇲🇽 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'s &...