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L.A. Winemaker Finds Identity In Graffiti Art

Ryan Faughnder |
April 6, 2011 | 4:38 p.m. PDT

Senior News Editor

Graffiti art and fine wine are two cultures that help define Southern California, but those two intrinsic aspects of L.A. life are rarely, if ever, merged. 

Graffiti art and wine come together at Crewest gallery (Ryan Faughnder
Graffiti art and wine come together at Crewest gallery (Ryan Faughnder

Winemaker Robert Plata is trying to break down that barrier with the concept for his company Plata Wine. Though his wine is inspired by French traditions, his company's image and attitude has a decidedly L.A. bent. He commissioned local street artists Chaz Bojorquez and Man One to design the logo and labels for the bottles.

Recently, the concept inspired an exhibition at Man One's Crewst art gallery downtown, in which street artists took old wine barrels and bottles and turned them into works of urban painting. The bridging of the gap can be seen as both a clever marketing tool and as a statement about culture and identity.

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