Swirl, sip and savor your way through the beautiful wine regions of Temecula Valley to the northeast of San Diego and the rural hills of Ramona in North County’s inland region. Home to both large-scale and family-owned boutique winery operations, these charming regions place an emphasis on experimentation by passionate winemakers growing a wide selection of varietals. All feature beautiful tasting rooms open on weekends and many offer spectacular views from hilltop settings. Spend a relaxing afternoon learning about handcrafted reds, whites and rosés and leave with a barrel full of memories!
TEMECULA:
Monte De Oro Winery
35820 Rancho California Road • (951) 491-6551 • 4 map on page 55
Experience unparalleled scenery, exceptional service and an award-winning wine selection at Temecula’s Monte De Oro Winery, a first-class wine-tasting destination. A major attraction at the winery is its 2,500 square-foot Main Tasting Room space complete with cathedral ceilings, two tasting bars, six alabaster chandeliers and a glass floor that gives its guests a sneak-peak of the winery’s barrel cellar below. Tasting room hours run from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, with signature tours and tastings available on the weekends. Also savor MDO Bistro and relax to live tunes at “Sounds of Sunday” concerts. montedeoro.com [Coupon on page 61]
RAMONA:
Hatfield Creek Vineyards & Winery
1625 Highway 78 • (760) 787-1102 • 3 map on page 27
Enjoy a glass of your favorite Hatfield Creek varietal in the Ramona Wine Country. Owners Elaine Lyttleton and Norm Case have created a beautiful destination for peaceful ambience and award-winning wines. Savor their Petite Sirah and Zinfandel premium wines for a special treat. Stroll through the vineyard, bring a picnic or walk the Meditation Labyrinth. On cooler days, cozy up to the fireplace or the 1920s wood stove in the tasting room. Bring a group of up to 20 to The Table for your gathering. Also enjoy free Wine Club membership with member discounts, complimentary tastings and exclusive member-only events. At Hatfield Creek, “Every Hour is a Happy Hour.” Hatfield’s Tasting Room is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday. hatfieldcreekvineyards.com
Highland Hills Winery
18545 Rangeland Road • (760) 239-6515 • 1 map on page 27
Visit Highland Hills Winery, a hidden gem on a gorgeous property in Ramona. Open on weekends, this family owned and operated winery serves varietals made from grapes grown on the premises. The wine-tasting room is staffed by family members, and often by the owner and winemakers. A serene tasting patio invites guests to relax in the warm sunshine. Stop by to experience the joy of drinking lovely red, white and blended wines, from noon-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Join the Wine Club and enjoy free wine tastings for 4 and 20 percent off all bottles. highlandhillswinery.com
La Finquita Winery & Vineyard
23123 Vista Ramona Roads • (760) 896-4014 • 5 map on page 27
Enjoy warm sunshine, cool breezes and handcrafted wines on the weekends at La Finquita Winery & Vineyard in Ramona. La Finquita—meaning “the little farm”—has an inviting tasting room and large patio offering gorgeous views. The friendly owners can teach guests how the vineyard’s red and white wines are made. Come by for a tasting or sip by the glass (including their delicious wine slushes and refreshing sangrias) and don’t forget to check out the cool wine cave. Open from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday and 2 p.m.-7 p.m. Fridays during summer: June 3 - Sept. 2. (Weekdays by appointment). lafinquitawinery.com
Pamo Valley Winery
603 Main Street • (760) 271-3090 • 2 map on page 27
Enjoy warm hospitality and please your palate at Pamo Valley Winery, located in the quaint Old Town district of Ramona on Main Street. Tastings by flight, by glass and sales by bottle or case are offered. Stop in and sample any of Pamo’s handmade wines and leave with a bottle for a party or special occasion or “wine down” in the wine bar. Pamo Valley Winery’s tasting room is open seven days a week: 2-6 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 2-8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, and from noon-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. pamovalleyvineyards.com
Poppaea Winery
25643 East Old Julian Highway • (858) 357-1741 • 7 map on page 27
Enjoy listening to vintners describe the flavors of house varietals at Poppaea Winery, which opened its doors in September 2015. The boutique winery—named after the Roman empress Poppaea Sabina—has an inviting tasting room, a preparation area, a laboratory and barrel room. Informative tours are offered during the open hours of the tasting room—noon-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays —when visitors learn about the winemaking process from harvest to the bottled product. The tasting room boasts breathtaking views toward Mount Woodson and the Pacific. Relax outside on either of two patios or a nearby part of the vineyard. Visitors may also explore the winery on weekdays by appointment by calling (858) 357-1741. poppaea-vineyard.com
Ramona Ranch Vineyard and Winery
23578 Highway 78 • (760) 789-1622 • 4 map on page 27
Sample wines cultivated from the beautiful vineyards of Ramona at Ramona Ranch Vineyard and Winery located in the heart of the Ramona Valley AVA. Award-winning reds, whites and rosés are served on the lovely tasting terrace, often along with artisan cheese and olive samples. Owners Micole Moore and Teri Kerns practice sustainable farming and provide a family-friendly atmosphere with horses, goats, chickens, and a steer on their ranch, in addition to their grape vines. They invite you to bring your dogs or plan a picnic, while enjoying an afternoon of wine, warm hospitality and amazing views. Open from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. every Friday-Sunday. ramonaranch.net
Vineyard Grant James Winery
25260 East Old Julian Highway • (760) 789-2733 • 6 map on page 27
Sip and savor boutique wines from Vineyard Grant James Winery, a premier wine-tasting destination in Ramona. The vineyard boasts an impressive stone veranda offering sweeping views of the property’s nine acres. Vineyard Grant James is perfectly situated for cultivating syrah, merlot, sangiovese, orange muscat, greco, refosco, and nebbiolo grapes, which are then mixed into smooth varietal blend wines. Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri.-Sun. Memberships available. vineyardgrantjames.com For more detailed look into Ramona Valley and its vineyards and wineries visit ramonavalleyvineyards.com and ramonavalleywineregion.com
TASTING ROOMS & WINE BARS:
Rose’s Tasting Room
2754 Calhoun St., San Diego • 27 map on page 56
2609 Congress St., San Diego • (619) 293-7673
Please your palate sampling local wines and microbrews at Rose’s Tasting Room, with warm and inviting family-owned locations in Old Town San Diego’s Fiesta de Reyes plaza and at the Old Town shops on Congress Street. Wine and beer selections from San Diego County producers rotate monthly and keep happy customers coming back. Tastes, flights and bottles of red, white and rosé wines, as well as bottles of local craft beers, are available, not to mention an extensive offering of unique gifts and food items. Happy Hour runs from 3-5 p.m. daily (weekends too!) and includes $1 off a glass of wine and $1 off a pint of beer. Both locations open daily. rosestastingroom.com
Shawn’s on Congress
2539 Congress St., San Diego • (619) 450-4154 • 27 map on page 56
Sample fine wine, craft beer and bistro fare at Shawn’s on Congress, a quaint, courtyard bar with a relaxed vibe in Old Town, San Diego. A menu featuring flatbread-style pizzas, signature salads, and meat and cheese boards pairs perfectly with the wine list, which includes San Diego County wines, Cabs and other red varietals, red blends, chardonnay, whites and rosés. Craft beer aficionados are also treated to a selection of favorites from local brewers. A great place to take a date, business clients or pals for a night out, Shawn’s also welcomes kids and four-legged friends on its pretty patio. Stop by this hidden gem, enjoy the indoor dining area, or kick back in comfortable chairs by the wine barrel fire pit outside, and raise a glass to a memorable time. shawnsoncongress.com
