California Wine Exchange, a retail wine shop and tasting room focused exclusively on California-produced wines, is preparing to open in Downtown Los Angeles at 1050 S Flower Street.
The new concept is opening on the ground-floor space of the Mets Lofts near the intersection of Flower Street and 11th Street, according to a recent conditional use permit filing. Owner Mark Proir is seeking approval for on-site and off-site sales and consumption of beer and wine, as well as permission to host live entertainment in a wine bar, pub, and tavern-style environment. An official opening date has not been announced yet.
“We are very excited about becoming a part of the South Park community of DTLA,” Prior tells What Now Los Angeles. “We searched for a location all over the metropolitan Los Angeles area and just couldn’t ignore the benefits of not only being in a great neighborhood in its own right, but also being adjacent to the convention center, Crypto Arena, and LA Live.”
This will be the first brick-and-mortar location for California Wine Exchange, which aims to highlight small-batch wines from family-owned and boutique California wineries. According to the company, the goal is to connect the local community with wines not typically available through traditional distribution channels. The space is expected to serve as both a retail wine shop and a tasting venue.
The concept exclusively celebrates California’s wine regions, from Napa and Sonoma to Paso Robles, Temecula, and beyond. The business will offer daily wine tastings, featuring rotating themes and curated selections that highlight different varietals and regions. Wine will also be available by the glass, in addition to retail bottle sales.
Tasting themes are expected to include experiences like “Cabernet & Sauvignon Blanc,” “Paso Robles,” and “Sparkling Wine,” among others. The shop also aims to create an atmosphere reminiscent of a California vineyard, combining music, ambiance, and curated wine education to create a full-sensory experience for guests.
“Sure, there are lots of great places to enjoy a glass of wine, and there are lots of great places to pick up a bottle of wine, but we’ll be looking to do things just a little bit different,” Prior tells What Now LA. “Life seems to be moving pretty fast these days, and not everyone has time to make a trip to wine country; we’re hoping to provide wine lovers in LA an alternative until they can find the time.”
