The Only Winery Facing a Museum | Moraga Bel Air Winery, Rupert Murdoch

By Sophie Gayot

Bel Air, Los Angeles, June 28, 2017

Moraga Vineyards is set on what might be the most expensive land dedicated to winemaking, as it is in the ritzy Los Angeles neighborhood of Bel Air.

It has a very unique history. The land was first owned by Victor Fleming, director of “Gone with the Wind” and “The Wizard of Oz,” in the 1930s and ‘40s. Tom Jones, the longtime CEO of Northrop Corporation, purchased the property in 1959 and 20 years later decided to plant grapevines.

During a dinner party in 2013 with mogul Rupert Murdoch, the pair struck a deal for Murdoch to become the new owner of the 14 acres of land, of which 6.9 acres are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and a small portion of Petit Verdot for the red wine, and Sauvignon Blanc for the white.

One thousand cases are produced every year under the direction of winemaker Scott Rich. There is only one type of red, and one type of white.

We were lucky enough to be able to spend the afternoon with Rich. There is no better way to discover the beautiful grounds, which are at an elevation of 550-900 feet in the Santa Monica Mountains in front of the Getty Center, than with our exclusive video above.

Don’t think you can just walk in, get a tour, do a dégustation and buy some bottles or cases. You must be a member of The Club at Moraga Estate. Follow the link here for the terms and conditions.