San Diego

San Diego

Schwaesdall Winery

Grape Cluster - ai generated - Pixabay

John Schwaesdall, A San Diego native, started making wine from some of the old vineyards in Ramona that were planted in 1950′s. He since has planted 4 1/2 acres of various red and white wine grapes. The vineyard lies among gigantic granite boulders that are found predominately in the Ramona/Mt. Woodson area of San Diego. These boulders are true natural wonders. One great granite boulder on the property weighs 80 tons and looks just like a cat. Another looks like Moby Dick. John won’t hesitate to show visitors the fantastic natural sculptures on his 6 acres of property.

Charlie & Echo

Charlie & Echo owners

A hidden gem!! Charlie & Echo is small and it's easy to miss if you're not really looking for it. The woman helping us was very friendly and attentive. She was very knowledgeable about the wines. She offered some great suggestions. I loved everything I tried but I really loved their Grenache and Syrah.  I was very impressed with their house wines as well. I don't usually drink white wine but their house white is one to try. Glad Charlie & Echo  found us and reached out to us a few years ago. This is a great little place and I can't wait to go back! Oh! They make Spritzers too.*

Hours:

Mon-Weds   Closed
Thur    4:00PM to 8:00PM
Fri        4:00pm to 8:00pm
Sat       1:00pm to 8:00pm
Sun      2:00pm to 6:00pm

San Pasqual Winery

grape cluster

Sip, Savor, and Celebrate at San Pasqual Winery!

Located in La Mesa, California—just 15 miles east of San Diego—San Pasqual Winery is a delightful family-owned treasure that has transformed the local wine scene. Originally established in the 1970s in the beautiful San Pasqual Valley, this charming winery reinvented itself as San Diego's very first urban winery, earning a spot on Sunset Magazine’s “Hot 100 West Coast Trends” list!

Wine Adventures Await

With an annual production of just 3,000 to 4,000 cases, San Pasqual Winery focuses on creating intimate connections with wine lovers. Most of their wines are sold directly from the winery and nearby tasting rooms, ensuring every sip comes with a personal touch. Visitors can explore tasting rooms in the Village of La Mesa and downtown San Diego at Seaport Village, each offering a unique experience.

A Flavorful Journey Through Wine

San Pasqual wines are handcrafted in small lots, sourced from local vineyards and renowned viticultural regions across California. The winery takes advantage of diverse microclimates and strong relationships with vineyards to produce an exciting array of varietals. While classic favorites like Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon shine, adventurous wine lovers can also discover hidden gems like Tannat and Teroldego.

The fun doesn’t stop there! The winery features a thrilling line of passionfruit-based wines, including the spicy “Hot Passion,” inspired by habanero peppers—perfect for the sunny San Diego lifestyle. With numerous awards from local to international competitions, their Tannat and Cabernet Franc have even won double golds at prestigious events like the Toast of the Coast and San Francisco Chronicle competitions. A few years ago, their Malbec represented California’s style in Cahors, France—the birthplace of Malbec!

Unique Experiences at Every Location

San Pasqual Winery offers four distinctive locations, each designed for a memorable wine experience:

  • La Mesa Wine Works: Conveniently located off Interstate 8, the production winery welcomes visitors from Wednesday to Sunday. Guests can enjoy live music on the patio and delicious bites from local food vendors on weekends.

  • La Mesa Village Tasting Room: This cozy wine bar invites guests to become fast friends over sidewalk seating and lively conversations with the owners every Friday afternoon.

  • Seaport Village Tasting Room: Ideal for vacationers and locals alike, this spot offers stunning views of San Diego Bay from the deck patio, creating the perfect backdrop for sipping exceptional wines.

  • Toast Bubble Bar: Recently opened in Seaport Village, this sparkling wine haven provides an elevated experience every weekend, along with a fantastic venue for private parties or corporate events.

Emerald Creek Winery

Winery Logo

Emerald Creek Winery is located in Warner Springs on the North slope of Palomar Mountain of San Diego County. The elevation at the winery is at 2,400 ft. from sea level. This area has a unique micro-weather system. The weather at this elevation from April to October is ideal for grape growing. Daytime temperatures are warm and nighttime temperatures are cool. The soil is made from mainly decomposed granite ideal for grapes. At Emerald Creek Winery, we are committed to creating award-winning wines.

Cordiano Winery

sign at entrance of winery

Nestled in the hills of the San Pasqual Valley in Escondido, you'll find Cordiano Winery, a family-owned and operated vineyard that takes pride in the craftsmanship of good wine and of the labor practiced for ages in the old country. The winery is a lifelong dream realized; a reflection of the love and passion of its proprietors, Gerardo and Rosa Cordiano.

Shadow Mountain Vineyards

Grape Cluster - Pixabay

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.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.

Wild West Mead Company

Company Logo

There is a buzz in Vista as Wild West Mead Company sets up shop in an industrial business park. The craft meadery, founded by brothers Michael “Mead Mike” Weidemann and Keith Weidemann, has been contract brewing and producing small-batch and brewery collaborations since 2017.

The Weidemann brothers, who relocated to San Diego from Texas, have leveraged their backgrounds in electrical engineering to connect with various breweries in North County. Now, they are combining their construction expertise and passion for mead to open their own production facility and taproom.

Wild West Mead will launch with four core meads, alongside 4-8 rotating experimental blends featuring different types of honey, fruit-based, and seasonal options. The meadery plans to continue collaborations with other mead and craft beer businesses in North County.

"We try to push the envelope with ingredients. We’re known for our Jalapeno Cornbread Braggot. It’s a half-beer and half-mead style that we collaborate with a brewery on. It’s like biting into a slice of jalapeno cornbread," shares Michael Weidemann.

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Wild West Mead Co. is a craft meadery in Vista, California. We use the best ingredients and provide a great atmosphere.

Looking forward to hosting you soon!

 

Orfila Vineyards

Orfila wine bottle label for their Merlot

Located in the stunning San Pasqual Valley, just 30 minutes from San Diego, Orfila Vineyards is an ultra-premium, small-production winery that invites wine lovers to indulge in its unique offerings. Conveniently located between Interstate 15 and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, this hidden gem boasts a breathtaking tasting room and patio that overlook the sprawling 70-acre estate.

Families will feel right at home in the tree-lined picnic area, complete with grassy knolls and picnic tables—perfect for enjoying a sunny afternoon with friends and a bottle of Orfila’s finest.

Orfila is known for producing critically acclaimed wines crafted from Italian and French varietals, including grapes from the Rhône Valley, Burgundy, and Bordeaux. The winery sources grapes from its estate as well as select vineyards in Sonoma, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara Counties. Under the expert guidance of winemaker Andrew Wisniewski, Orfila continues its tradition of creating award-winning wines that reflect the essence of San Diego County.

Since opening its doors in 1994, Orfila Vineyards has garnered more than 1,300 medals in national and international competitions, a true testament to the complexity, grace, and opulence of its wines. Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or a casual sipper, a visit to Orfila promises a delightful experience filled with exquisite flavors and breathtaking views.

Deer Park Winery

pouring a glass of wine

Deer Park annually produces and releases award-winning estate wines available for wine tasting weekends as one of the top things to do in San Diego County (and minutes from Riverside and Los Angeles). The Auto Museum features hundreds of vehicles and Americana collections, and is the recipient of the Antique Automobile Club of America trophy for excellence. Renown collections include a world-famous collection of American convertible cars, vintage radios, TV, antique bicycles, appliances, cameras, tube television sets, neon dealership signs, classic gas pumps and gas stations, vintage vehicle garages, old oil collectibles, license plates, vintage toys and games, Coca Cola room of collectibles, and more.

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