Santa Monica's first ever winery tasting room!
Santa Monica's first ever winery tasting room! Enjoy wine flights, glasses and bottles of our fine Malibu Coast and California Coast wines. Taste from our incredible local line up hosted by our knowledgeable and friendly staff. We hope to see you stop by for a quick sip!
Hour: Wednesday - Thursday 12:00pm - 9:00pm, Friday - Saturday 12:00pm - 10:00pm, Sunday 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Keywords: wine tasting, malibu coast
Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
We opened our doors in downtown Santa Monica October 9th, 2024 but have been in business since 2011.
What is your primary product or service?
Wine, wine tastings, wine bottles and wine glasses.
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
Amanda Rubin is a Malibu native and the Proprietor of AJA Vineyards. There was an immediate attraction that pulled Amanda towards at the age of 14. By 16, she was researching cardiovascular effects from wine, and waking up at the crack of dawn to partake in harvest. During High School she would be in the lab with her father and the winemaking team, learning about the production of wine, the blending, and of course, the aging. She continued learning from the team and being involved in the winemaking (and selling) of AJA during her time at UCLA. Amanda continued to expand her palate and love for wine and spirits by becoming a certified mixologist in 2018 just before graduating from UCLA. She also founded the Sommelier’s Club at UCLA during her time there where she taught students about the wonders of wine.
After graduating from UCLA, she studied wine at the International Culinary Center and became a Certified Sommelier, interned with winemakers across the globe, and became an advocate for millennials in the wine and spirits industry.
Recently, Amanda passed her first examination in the Cicerone program now holding certifications in Wine, beer and spirits knowledge.
Through all of this, her passion remains in vines of the Malibu Coast.
Inspired by family, Amanda has devoted her life’s work to crafting the best wines of the Malibu Coast and currently runs all operations at the winery walking in the footsteps of her father.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
AJA Vineyards is the first ever winery tasting room in Santa Monica proper. A huge feat for both our winery and the city of Santa Monica. We focus on making wines that are terroir specific and recognize both the physical terroir of climate, soil and location as well as the cultural aspects of coastal California.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
Our vines are located in the Malibu canyon off Kanan Dume. Our winemaking facility is in Santa Clarita. Both properties are not open to the public. But this is our first location for our tasting room and we hope to expand eventually to Orange County.
Provide detailed directions to your location
Our tasting room is located on the east side of 2nd street between Broadway and Santa Monica. Best parking is P6 which is accessible through the northbound side of 2nd street.
What type of payments do you accept?
We accept all credit/debit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay. We are a cashless facility.
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
The Greenbaum family with Amanda Rubin (Greenbaum) spearheading daily operations. You can find her in the Tasting Room 5 days a week.
What are your hours of operation?
W/Th: 12pm-9pm
Fri/Sat: 12pm-10pm
Sun: 12pm-5pm
What is the best compliment anyone can give you?
I feel like I'm at home when I'm enjoying your wines in your Tasting Room!
What is your favorite quote or Bible verse?
"To take wine into our mouths is to savor a droplet of the river of human history." — Clifton Fadiman
"Fall down 7 times, get up 8" -Chinese Proverb
Contact AJA Vineyards:
