L’APÉRO: OJAI’S MODERN APERITIF

Nov 7

There’s something unmistakable about the way Ojai smells — citrus peel warming on the tree, sun-baked chaparral, geranium in the shade, the faint pull of ocean air.
L’Apero Vermouth started with a simple idea: if the valley has a signature scent, it deserves a signature drink.

So we built one.

L’Apero is our take on a modern botanical white vermouth, made with intention and a little edge — the same attitude behind Side Street Wines.

This isn’t an old-world replica.
It’s an expression of where we live.

How It’s Made: Wine, Botany, and a Brewery

We make L’Apero inside Ojai Valley Brewery — where beer tanks, wine barrels, and wild ideas all share the same space.

The base wine (organically grown) is:

fortified
aged through a barrel + carboy solera system
built for depth, texture, and quiet oxidation

Then comes the botanical layer:

sweet-scented geranium flowers
Ojai citrus peel
resinous California herbs
aromatic roots

Nothing artificial.
No shortcuts.
Just a stripped-back, thoughtful build.

How It Tastes

L’Apero hits a balance between floral, nutty, citrus-driven, and gently bitter — clean on the palate, layered in the glass.

Expect notes of:

citrus rind
geranium leaf
almond
dried herbs
subtle spice

It’s refreshing without being simple, and complex without feeling heavy.

Try It On Tap: The L’Apero Spritz

If you're local — or visiting — you’ll find the L’Apero Spritz on tap in our tasting room.

Cold, bright, aromatic.
Low proof, high vibe.
Perfect before dinner, during golden hour, or anytime you want something crisp that doesn’t overwhelm the moment.

Bottles of L’Apero are also available to take home.

The Anarchy 33 Cocktail

A house favorite to make at home — clean, lifted, and extremely easy to drink.
This is the cocktail that bridges L’Apero with our sparkling program.

Anarchy 33 Recipe

1 oz L’Apero Vermouth
1 oz Wilder Gin (Ventura Spirits)
½ oz fresh lemon juice
Top with Anarchy Sparkling Rosé

Build in a flute or coupe.
No garnish needed.
Serve cold.

Why L’Apero Matters

There’s no shortage of vermouth in the world, but almost none of it speaks to place the way L’Apero does.
It’s built on real Ojai fruit, real Ojai botanicals, and a real sense of identity.

It’s not nostalgic.
It’s not old-fashioned.
It’s fresh, local, and unapologetically Ojai.

Sip it. Mix it. Put it on your bar cart.
It’s versatile, modern, and built for how people actually drink today.

Elizabeth Haffner