Did you know that Italians first settled in Los Angeles in the 1820s? Or that California’s wine industry was started in L.A. by Italian-Americans, and that the city is still home to the oldest winery in the state? Were you aware that Los Angeles has the fifth largest Italian-American population in the U.S.?

Los Angeles has a long and storied Italian history, and the celebration of those roots takes place each year at the Taste of Italy festival, hosted by the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles (IAMLA). Started 11 years ago, and held in the historic Little Italy neighborhood, Taste of Italy is a celebration of traditions and cultures—with a heavy emphasis on food and wine.