Hawk Watch Winery
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San Diego Wine Country
Did you know that San Diego County has a Wine Country? Most people that come to San Diego usually come to visit San Diego's attractions, beaches, and recreational activities. A good number of these visitors, locals included, like the option of taking day trips to visit the attractions and activities that are located in San Diego's backcountry.
Most of us that live in San Diego have known that a few wineries exist in San Diego but probably did not realize that there are actually nineteen (19) active wineries in San Diego. Even if you are not familiar with San Diego's backcountry, you have driven past the signs pointing to Orfila Vineyards on your way to visit the Wild Animal Park. If you have driven to Julian, you have probably seen the signs directing you to the Menghini Winery.
History shows that wineries are actually nothing new to San Diego. Father Junipero Serra and the Franciscan missionaries brought wine with them when they began to settle Alta California. They not only brought the wine, they also brought the grape vines and the methods from which to extract the juice from the grape. In fact, a number of the missions and asistencias grew grape vines and made wine at California's missions. Someone had to make the sacramental wine!
The oldest continuously operating winery in Southern California is San Diego's Bernardo Winery, which opened in 1889. San Diego County's wineries are located in Ramona, Julian, San Pasqual, Escondido, Sunshine Summit and Valley Center. Some of San Diego's wineries have tasting rooms, some have their wines available for tasting at other wineries, restaurants, or stores, while others are open by appointment only. If you have been to Temecula's wine country, you know how each of the wineries differs in case production, varietals, availability to the public, and price point. This difference is also apparent in San Diego's wineries. In general, the bigger the winery, the more access to the public.
Here at San Diego Travel Tips, we just love the idea of having a destination when you get to the end of the road. In some cases, the wineries in San Diego are at the end of the road. It is a great excuse to hit the road, open up the car windows, and put on the music. Going to these wineries gives you the perfect excuse to go discover the parts of San Diego that are not promoted by the typical travel guides and to go get yourself some mighty fine wine.
Like San Diego's brewery owners, San Diego's winery owners are a tight-knit group that band together to help each other weather the financial and seasonal rough waters. The San Diego County Wine Country Association was formed to assist the wineries in marketing their establishments to a broader base. The Association sponsors various events throughout the year to promote the fun aspect of visiting wineries. These annual events include: Summer Barrel Tastings at Menghini Winery in June, San Diego Fair Wine Tasting in Del Mar in June/July, a BBQ Bash at one of the wineries in August, and the ever-popular Grape Stomps at various locations.
The San Diego Wine Country Association has put together a very handy map of San Diego's Wine Country that is a great way to see where the wineries are and how to get there. Some of them are located near each other, so you could plan to visit a couple of them in one shot.
Wineries With Tasting Rooms That Are Open to the Public
Bernardo Winery (13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte, San Diego California 92128)
Wine Varietals: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, White Riesling, Syrah, Petite Syrah, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Port, Sherry, Muscatel.
Tasting Room Hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm/Saturday & Sunday 10am - 5pm
Jazz Happy Hour on Sundays from 2pm - 5pm/Certified Farmers Market on Fridays from 9am - 12pm
For more information: (858) 487-1866 or info@bernardowinery.com
Orfila Vineyards & Winery (13455 San Pasqual Road Escondido, CA 92025)
Wine Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon , Syrah, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Viognier, Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Rosé of Syrah, Muscat Canelli, Tawny Port
Tasting Room Hours: Open daily from 10am - 6pm (Closed major holidays: New Year's Day, 4th of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
For more information: (760) 738-6500, extension 22
San Pasqual Winery (5151 Santa Fe Street, Suite H, San Diego CA 92109
Wine Varietals: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache Blanc de Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Syrah, Tempranillo, Passion fruit wine, Zinfandel Tawny Port
Tasting Room Hours: Saturdays from 12pm - 4pm
For more information: (858) 270-7550 or info@sanpasqualwinery.com
Deer Park Winery & Auto Museum (29013 Champagne Boulevard, Escondido CA 92026)
Wine Varietals: Merlot, Sangiovese, Petite Syrah, Zinfandel, Syrah; as well as blush/rose, dessert wines and California Champagne.
Tasting Room Hours: Friday - Sunday from 10am - 4pm
For more information: (760) 749-1666
Twin Oaks Valley Vintners (1575 Mulberry Drive, San Marcos California 92069)
Wine Varietals: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Room Hours: Thursday through Saturday from 11am to 4pm. Please note that the tasting room is located at a meat and sausage market in San Marcos, T&H Prime Meats and Sausage (735 East Mission Road, San Marcos, California 92069).
For more information: (760) 471-9192 or info@tandhsausage.com
J. Jenkins Winery (1255 Julian Orchards Drive, Julian CA 92036)
Wine Varietals: Dolcezza, Viognier, Pinot Grigio, , Merlot, Syrah, Meritage, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris, Vin Gris De Syrah
Tasting Room Hours: Saturday and Sunday from 11am - 5pm
For more information: (760)-765-3267
Menghini Winery (1150 Julian Orchards Drive, Julian CA, CA 92036)
Wine Varietals: Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Room Hours: Monday - Thursday from 10am - 4pm/Friday - Saturday from 10am - 5 pm
For more information: (760) 765-2072 or grapes@menghiniwinery.com
Schwaesdall Winery (17677 Rancho de Oro Road, Ramona California 92065)
Wine Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Chardonnay, Cuvee De Oro, Merlot, Mourvedre, Gato Grande, Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, Port, Muscat Cannelli
Tasting Room Hours: Saturday & Sunday 10am - 6pm
For more information: (760) 789-7547 or john@schwaesdallwinery.com
Lenora Winery (251 Steffy Lane, Ramona California 92065)
Wine Varietals: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat of Alexandria, Grenache, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Room Hours: Lenora Winery's wine tasting room is located at 632 Main Street in the antique district of historic old town Ramona. Tastings are held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11am - 6pm.
For more information: (760) 788-7388 or give_me_five@yahoo.com.
Hawk Watch Winery (27054 Chihuahua Valley Road, Warner Springs CA 92086)
Wine Varietals:Sauvignon Blanc, White Grenache, Orange Muscat, Syrah, Zinfandel, and Meritage
Tasting Room Hours: Saturday & Sunday from 10am - 5pm
For more information: (951) 326-4692 or info@hawkwatchwinery.com.
Shadow Mountain Vineyards and Winery (34680 Highway 79 South, Warner Springs CA 92086)
Wine Varietals: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel, Grenache, Viognier, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc
Tasting Room Hours: Wednesdays, Thursday, Sunday's from 10am - 5pm. Also open most Monday holidays
For more information: (760) 782-0778 or shadownose@earthlink.net
Hacienda de las Rosas Winery (2764 Calhoun Street, San Diego CA 92110)
Wine Varietals: Cabernet, Tempranillo, Merlot, Petite Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Concord, Port
Tasting Room Hours: Sunday - Thursday from 11:30am - 7pm/Friday - Saturday from 11:30am - 9pm
For more information: (760) 788-3918 or haciendawine@aol.com.
Wineries That Sell Their Wines At Other Locations
Gloriosa Vineyards (PO Box 427, Pine Valley, CA 91962)
Wine Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel
Gloriosa's wines can be purchased at Albertson's (Alpine/downtown); Windmill Farms (Del Cerro); Mona Lisa (Little Italy) & Marechaivo's (Blossom Valley)
For more information: mertgloria@sbcglobal.net
La Serenissima Winery (35168 Highway 79, Warner Springs CA 92086)
Wine Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo and Arnesis
La Serenissima's wines are available at San Diego Wine and Culinary Center, Shadow Mountain Vineyards, French Gourmet
For more information: (760) 782-0778 or ajtiso@yahoo.com
Pamo Valley Winery (P.O. Box 2143, Ramona California 92065)
Wine Varietals: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese
Pamo Valley's wines are available online
For more information: (760) 271-3090 or info@pamovalleyvineyards.com
Woof'n Rose Winery (17073 Garjan Lane, Ramona CA 92065)
Wine Varietals: Cabernet Franc, Grenache Noir, Merlot & Eglantine (a Bordeaux Blend)
Woof'n Rose Winery's wines are available online.
For more information: (760) 788-4818 or marilyn@woofnrose.com
Wineries That Are Open By Appointment Only
Orrin Vineyards and Winery (35288 Highway 79, Warner Springs, CA 92086)
Wine Varietals: Syrah, Merlot, Viognier
Open by appointment only for tours of the winery and vineyards, please call (760) 782-0480.
Rock Canyon Vineyards (2505 Alpine Blvd. Alpine California 91901)
Wine Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Open by appointment only. Call (619) 445-4763 or email rockcanyon@hughes.net
Triple B Ranches (15402 Vesper Road, Valley Center CA 92082)
Wine Varietals: Vermentino, Viognier, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon
Email them for a tour: winery@triplebranches.com
A Winery That Invites You to Stay On Their Property
Eagles Nest Winery & Vacation Cottage (18261 Chablis Road, Ramona CA 92065)
Wine Varietals: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier and Zinfandel.
For more information: (760) 505-8229 or info@eaglesnestwinery.com
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