San Diego

San Diego

Poppaea Vineyard & Winery

wine cellar

Poppaea Vineyard LLC was established in May 2009 and the first planting took place in 2010 with additional planting each year since then. Currently there are about 2500 vines, all Italian red varietals. The site became bonded in January 2013 and it is expected that the tasting room will open for visitors in September 2015 after all of the wines will have had at least 2 years of aging in line with Italian guidelines. The strategy is to recapitulate the best red wines from Piedmonte, Tuscany and Umbria but in a Californian setting. Critical to the approach adopted by Poppaea is that all the grapes should be derived from the estate and processed on site – no importing of ‘foreign’ grapes – in this way it is hoped visitors will experience the true ‘terroir’ of the Ramona Valley AVA. Poppaea is derived from the name of the Roman princess, Poppaea Sabina, who used her beauty, charm and intrigue to seduce Nero and subsequently marry him. The company is jointly owned by three family members: John, his wife Marion and son Benjamin who originate from England and who settled in San Diego about twenty years ago.

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.

Granite Lion Cellars

WInery's logo

Abundant, beautiful, and joyful, the vineyard expresses an idea that the best things in life are simple and honest. If there is truth in wine, it comes from the plain transition of fruit and soil and sun into a blend of art and fate. Granite Lion Cellars begins with the best vine stock and cherishes the distinctive characteristics that make every variety unique because we understand that all we take through life is ourselves. A young winery, Granite Lion Vineyards presents a rich and distinctive taste intrinsic to the passion of youth.

Principe di Tricase Winery

clusters of grapes

Overlooking the beautiful Highland Valley of Ramona there are about 4 acres of grapes that enjoy the breeze, which blows most of the day. In Italy, Aglianico is considered the Barolo of the south. Our Aglianico grapes were first planted in early 2007. Approximately, 2000 vines were planted both on the east and west sides of the vineyard. Followed, was the Nebbiolo, planted only on the east side. In 2008 and 2011 we added the Aleatico grapes. We produce two kinds of wines from this grape: a dry wine and sweet dessert wine, both with incredible aromas.

Coyote Oaks Vineyards

Cyotote Oaks Label

Coyote Oaks Vineyards tasting room is located at the Escondido Wine and Culinary Campus in The Hidden Valley Enoteca Chateau style castle. The Enoteca opened September of 2012, and is San Diego’s most unique wine tasting venue. It is home to several of the finest artisan wineries from Escondido Wine Country, which have collectively joined together to offer their limited production wines. The inviting tasting room is located inside the Mediterranean-style chateau castle on the Escondido Wine & Culinary Campus at 26312 Mesa Rock Road, Escondido, CA 92026. The Escondido Wine and Culinary Campus is home to The Hidden Valley Enoteca, Belle Marie Wines and Chateau Dragoo. The Campus is open 7 days a week, and Coyote Oaks Wines are poured on Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 5 pm. Please check hours as they change seasonally.

Forgotten Barrel Winery

Winery's logo

Forgotten Barrel offers a wide selection of premium hand-crafted wines using fruit sourced from Napa, Sonoma, Central Coast and San Diego County. The reincarnation of the former Ferrara Winery has transformed this once-forgotten homestead into a tranquil rustic hideaway in the city. Our winemaker, John Eppler, hails from Northern California, having worked in Napa for Robert Mondavi, Rosenblum Cellars, and his own brand, John Robert Eppler Wines. Visitors are sure to enjoy a friendly and relaxed wine tasting that will long be savored.

Turtle Rock Ridge

Winery's logo

Turtle Rock Ridge is a Ramona winery located in the beautiful back country of San Diego County. Our name was inspired by our very own granite monolith that towers above our vineyard. Our wines are made from the very best grapes grown both in our vineyard and sourced locally within the Ramona and California wine region. We feature a selection of red and white wines, and have a velvety smooth port style wine called "Chocolate Turtle". We are very proud to share the fact that many of our wines have won awards. Monday-Thursday - Call for an appointment (760) 789-5555

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.

Twin Oaks Valley Winery

Winery Logo

Twin Oaks Valley Winery is a family owned and operated business. Although established in 2001, Malcolm and Kathryn Gray purchased the winery in 2013 to introduce new, updated winemaking techniques to “old world” wines and refresh the brand. We specialize in crafting small batches of wine from the finest grapes grown in the San Diego County. We are proud to support our local farmers and growers. In addition to making our own wines, we offer a “custom crush” service allowing individuals, groups and organizations to use the facility to make wine for themselves.

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