The SAN DIEGAN » Wineries

Bernardo Winery is The Oldest Winery in Southern California and is Both Beautiful & Charming

barry — Tue, 12 May 2009 20:15:26 +0000

Established in 1889, Bernardo Winery is San Diego’s oldest operating vineyard and winery. Enjoy lunch inside at Cafe Merlot or dine on the patio. Also, a big attraction here are the winery’s charming village shops. They are open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The winery is also available for that important celebration, seminar or… (read more)

Deer Park Winery & Auto Museum is where Vintage Cars and Great Wine Await You

barry — Sat, 23 May 2009 21:45:39 +0000

What is unique about Deer Park Winery is that it caters to connoisseurs of both good wines and antique cars. Their collection of one-of-a-kind American convertibles includes over 100 models.

Equally as impressive as their vintage cars are their wines, which include zinfandel, Sangiovese, merlot, California champagne and petite syrah.

They also have a gourmet deli, gift shop and a beautiful setting for weddings, picnics and banquets.

Located just north of the Welk Resort Center off I-15. It’s open and other days by appointment. Self-guided tours are ($9) for adults; ($8) for seniors (55 and over); children 12 and under free. The museum is open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; last admission at 4 p.m.

Eagles’ Nest Winery & Vacation Cottage Is One Of Ramona’s Award Winning Wineries

Barry Berndes — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:47:01 +0000

Established in 2007, this award-winning winery and vacation cottage is located high on a hill overlooking the Ramona Valley and grasslands. This Italian wine-themed villa ($180 weekdays and $200 weekends) is a perfect vacation destination. It’s nestled in natural granite boulders just above the gated vineyard itself.

The winery’s wine makers and owners are Julie and Dennis Grimes. Julie recently was awarded a bronze medal at the International Women’s Wine Competition. Produced here are viognier, red zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, Syrah, merlot, tempranillo, chardonnay and two blush wines. They produce 1,000 cases annually.

Ferrara Winery: Visit San Diego’s Oldest Active Wine-Making Family

barry — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:22:25 +0000

The Ferraras are the the oldest active grape-growing, wine-making family in San Diego County, supplying premium quality wines to California since 1932. Because of this uniqueness, the State of California designated the Winery a State Historical Point of Interest in 1971. This California historic landmark is open for free wine tasting daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.… (read more)

Hacienda de las Rosas Winery Offers Wine Tasting and Cultural Art in Historic Old Town

barry — Thu, 21 May 2009 00:29:55 +0000

They offer five tastes for ($9.50) and you can keep the wine glass. Located at the Juan St. entrance in Fiesta de Reyes in historic Old Town. This family-owned winery features locally made San Diego wines with a lovely garden room to relax and enjoy a wine tasting experience with friends. With a golden Peruvian Paso horse on the label, their motto is “Drink fine wine… Ride fine horses.”

Hacienda de las Rosas is a family owned, with their boutique winery located in beautiful Ramona, California. Their wines are made from California grapes, many which are grown throughout San Diego County. The name of each wine is selected to reflect the proud heritage of the Peruvian Paso Horse and emulate some of our own horses’ namesakes.

The wine tasting room features fine wines for both red and white wine lovers, including a featured “guest wine” each month from another San Diego Winery. Check their website to find out what is available this month. Also inside the wine tasting room is an in-house wine expert, who can give you insight and the story behind each wine as you sip at our custom-carved wine bar or grab your glass and take a seat in our beautiful garden room.

Before you leave, take a walk around their unique gallery and enjoy various works of art by local artists. Everyone leaves with their own souvenir Old Town wine glass, a gift from the vinter and his family.

Hawk Watch Winery Makes Wines From the Finest Grapes Using Old World Winemaking Methods

Barry Berndes — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:57:51 +0000

This new boutique winery produces 1,000 cases annually of sauvignon blanc, white Grenache, Syrah, zinfandel, meritage a dry orange muscat and a muscat canelli. Tastings are ($6) for six tastes and you can keep the crystal souvenir wine glass.

J. Jenkins Winery is Julian's Newest Winery

barry — Sat, 23 May 2009 20:25:31 +0000

J. Jenkins Winery consists of a rustic “apple shed” graced by 10 acres of orchard and vineyard and a stunning view of Volcan Mountain. After many years of experimentation and development, owner Jim Jenkins invites you to taste his elegant wines.

He plans to expand the production of his spectacular cabernet sauvignon, merlot, chardonnay, Syrah, traditional nouveau and apple wine to 2,500 cases annually. Plus, they now grow pinot grigio and pinot noir on their property.

Visit the winery’s tasting room open Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Winter hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wine tasting is only $3.00, which includes a souvenir glass. 20% discount also available when purchasing a case of wine.

Lenora Winery: Ramona – Winery: Premium Wine Grapes of Ramona Valley

barry — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:40:23 +0000

This winery, which includes a wine-tasting room, produces 4,000 cases of red and white wines annually. Tasting is ($8) paired with cheese and you can keep the logo glass. Plus, they offer catering and a wine club.

Lots of customers pick up a bottle of wine to enjoy with their dinner in the Ramona Cafe, which is next door. Lenora Winery also can host special group events and ship nationwide. Open Fri. and Sat., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Thurs. Available by appointment for special events.

Menghini Winery: Julian – Winery: Free Winery Tours Daily

barry — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:41:23 +0000

Open for free wine tasting, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily with extended summer hours. They also offer free tours daily. Special annual events include a blues festival featuring Rob Bower in mid-July, their famous Grape Stomp (mid-September) and their Art and Wine Tasting Festival harvest celebration in the fall.

Located in the middle of a beautiful apple orchard, this winery produces an extraordinary chardonnay, cabernet, sauvignon blanc, merlot, muscat and a rare mela made from Julian apples. This winery has a picnic area and a charming shop offering wonderful cheeses, dips, olives, honeys and jams.

Orfila Vineyards & Winery Features Fine Wine and Voted "Winemaker of the Year" in 2003

barry — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:44:30 +0000

Orfila Vineyards & Winery is nestled in the pristine San Pasqual Valley agricultural preserve just 30 minutes from downtown San Diego. It is on the way to the Wild Animal Park. The boutique winery and tasting room is open every day from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and the cost is ($8) for six tastings. They also offer free guided tours at 2 p.m. daily or self-guided tours anytime. Orfila’s wide selection of award-winning wines and gourmet products are available for purchase in their tasting rooms or online. Use their discount coupon for a free wine tasting for two.

Orfila is the perfect venue to host your special event from private tours and tastings to corporate celebrations, reunions and weddings. Custom etched and hand-painted bottles and private label wine available. Executive winemaker, Don Reha continues to develop Rhône and Italian-style wines in the high-quality tradition the winery has put into practice since 1994.

Join the Orfila Wine Lovers club and enjoy winemaker selected varietals quarterly. Taste Orfila’s ultra premium estate wines and wines from other selected grape-growing areas in coastal California in the winery’s charming tasting room. Relax with a bottle of wine under the spacious grape arbor and patio overlooking the 70-acre estate where Syrah, Sangiovese, Merlot and Viognier are perfectly suited to the winery’s hillside terroir.

This freeway close, award-winning winery is San Diego’s most distinguished winery. Its wine has even been served at the White House. Make sure to also visit their Julian location at 4470 Hwy. 78 Julian, (760-765-0102).

Orfila Vineyards Has a Wine Tasting Room In Julian And Is a Great Place To Sample Good Wine

barry — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:36:41 +0000

This is Orfila’s second wine-tasting location and is open daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m. They also sell delicious Julian apple pies and ciders. You can taste one wine for free or six different reds and whites for ($10). The Julian Tasting Room showcases great wines, as well as beautiful gifts near the historic village of Julian, which is famous for its 1870’s Gold Rush architecture and apple pies.

Consider also visiting their main location in Escondido, where you can relax with a bottle of wine under the spacious grape arbor and patio overlooking the 70-acre estate where Syrah, Sangiovese, Merlot and Viognier are perfectly suited to the winery’s hillside terroir.


San Diego’s Favorite Winery	Classic Boutique Store	Vintage Wine Tasting Room

Pamo Valley Vineyard & Winery: Hand-Produced Wines at Wholesale Prices

barry — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:01:28 +0000

Pamo Valley Winery is a licensed and bonded wholesale winery that markets its wines to restaurants, stores, events and wine clubs. They also do off-site events, visit their website for more information.

Their wines are produced entirely by hand, “the old fashion way”. They produce their wines with locally grown grapes.

Their new winery is situated on five acres in a forest-like setting that makes for a perfect paradise surrounding when entering the vineyard. Featuring several varietals and blends, owner Jennifer Jenkin makes some of the finest award-winning wine Ramona has to offer.

Salerno is a Award-Winning Winery featuring Internationally-Acclaimed Wine Grown in Ramona

barry — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:28:03 +0000

Salerno Winery is a boutique winery featuring handcrafted wines. It is owned and operated by Herman and Rose Salerno. Their wines have won many international medals including the San Diego International and Dallas Morning News wine competitions. Plus, they ship within California and to most states.

San Pasqual Winery is San Diego’s Urban Winery That’s Freeway Close to Nearby Pacific Beach

Barry Berndes — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:03:29 +0000

Tasting room is open Sat. noon–4 p.m. Tastings cost $8.50 for 6 tastes. Established in 2000, this informal boutique winery is San Diego’s only urban winery. San Pasqual offers a variety of red and white wines including chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, caber net sauvignon, garnacha, merlot, Syrah, tempranillo, and selected Rioja and Bordeaux-style blends.

Schwaesdall Winery is Ramona’s Well Established Wineries with a Beautiful View of Iron Mountain

barry — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:32:02 +0000

This award-winning winery produces premium handcrafted, classic European red wines and traditional California whites, which are aged two or more years in an underground 1,500-sq. ft. cellar. The tasting room is the first commercially permitted straw bale building in San Diego County.

It’s open for tasting Sat.-Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For ($8) you can choose six wines to taste and receive a souvenir wineglass. Visitors are encouraged to sample their wines while enjoying the picturesque view of Iron Mountain from this 17-year-old Ramona vineyard. For weddings, special events and information about their straw bale guest house, contact John or Shirley Schwaesdall at (760-789-7547).

Shadow Mountain Winery Is An Award-Winning Winery In The Foothills Of Warner Springs

barry — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 06:19:58 +0000

If you’re looking for a special place for your wedding, this is the place. The owners have an extensive background in the restaurant business, which is a big plus. The cost for wine tasting is ($5) for regular tasting and ($7) for tasting with a souvenir wine glass.

Shadow Mountain is an ideal grape-growing location with an elevation of 3,500 feet, and it’s blessed with Pacific Ocean breezes and cool, dry nights.

Master vintner Alexander McGeary specializes in award-winning viognier, whites, reds and dessert wines such as merlot, Syrah, cabernet, zinfandel and a muscat cannelli. Picnic area, tours, tasting cellars and gift shop hours are Wed.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and most holidays. Call about weddings, private dinners, corporate events, special events and overnight accommodations.

Shadow Mountain Vineyards is a 3rd generation family estate grape growing & wine making business, which was founded by Agusto & Helen Mase, an Italian couple in 1944. The second generation of the family continued in this family tradition, by planting extensive vineyards in the 1960’s and 70’s.

They are a limited production winery that specializes in premium white and red table wines grown from the grapes on the estate.

Located on Sunshine Summit, which overlooks the beautiful Hot Springs Mountains and the historic Valle de San Jose, home of the famous Warner Springs Ranch. Their vineyard is location ideally located at an elevation of 3,500 feet above sea level, where the warmth of summer is moderated by the Pacific ocean breeze and the cool nights of the mountains, it is a prized location for quality wine grape growing.

Alongside the Wine Tasting Room, the vineyard estate also features a special event facilities for small to medium size groups. Please contact us for specific details and arrangements. They also have cottages on the vineyard estate, which you can stay in for $110.00 per night. Each stay includes a bottle of Shadow Mountain Vineyards wine and a Continental Breakfast

Twin Oaks Valley Winery: San Marcos – Winery: Bottled & Sold Locally

barry — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:37:34 +0000

The winery sells its wine to wholesalers only during the week 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Located in the Twin Oaks Valley in North San Diego County, this eight-acre vineyard has a 3,500-sq. ft. winery where Syrah, viognier and cabernet sauvignon are estate bottled.

Although no wine tasting is offered at the winery, their wines are sold locally at these locations: Friars Folley Restaurant (760-736-8035); San Diego Wine & Culinary Ctr. (619-231-6400); T&H Prime Meats & Sausage (760-471-9192); Twin Oaks Market (760-744-9457).

Witch Creek Winery in the Historic Seaside Village of Carlsbad Features Award-Winning Wines

barry — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:06:20 +0000

The Witch Creek wine tasting room is located in a historic picturesque village in Carlsbad, near the beach on Highway 101. Here you can sample wines for ($6), which includes a complimentary Witch Creek Winery logo glass. The wines produced by Witch Creek Winery are from a small-lot fermented and oak-aged, ensuring consistently high-quality wines.

They have a second wine tasting location in Julian.


Great Wines to Bring Home	Great Selection for Wine Tasting	Carlsbad’s Best Sauvignon Blanc

Witch Creek Winery is One of Julian’s Major Attractions With Great Selection for Wine Tasting

barry — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:04:10 +0000

Here in San Diego County’s only 100-year-old gold rush mining town is where you can enjoy a quaint wine-tasting experience. Sample their wines for ($6), which includes a complimentary Witch Creek Winery logo glass.


Great Wines to Bring Home	Great Selection for Wine Tasting	Julian’s Best Sauvignon Blanc