arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right arrow-up play-button plus tab-indicator dots close menu search facebook google-plus instagram pinterest rss twitter tiktok youtube rss-two heart Check FeaturedBadge linkedin minus apps placeholder linkedin
San Diego's

Wine Country

Discover the region's great wine, fantastic food and beautiful setting

Photo By Luis Garcia

San Diego Wine Culture Uncorked

Today, there are more than 115 dynamic wineries in San Diego County and the local industry is booming. But truth be told, there seems to be one big common misconception about San Diego's wine industry: many people think Temecula is part of San Diego County, but that's not true. No offense to our fellow winemaking friends in Riverside County, but we are not one and the same!

Once you start to explore the San Diego region, you'll discover passionate winemakers with interesting pedigrees and life experiences growing a wide selection of varietals (more than 60 distinct vinifera varietals). That incredible variety is due mostly to the exceptionally varied topography of the county. San Diego actually has more distinct microclimates than any other single county in the USA; it has grapes growing on its coastline and canyons; its mesas and mountains; even in its desert and dry washes. It has grapes growing at sea level and at every level up to 4,200 feet (which is one of the highest vineyards in the state). 

San Diego's Mediterranean climate—typified nearly all year long by hot days, cool nights and ocean breezes—plays a large part in making San Diego so suitable for grape growing. France's Rhone varietals (Syrah, Petite Sirah, Marsanne, Roussanne) as well as Southern Italian varieties (Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Barbera) do particularly well here.

San Diego is home to two recognized American Viticultural Areas (AVAs); San Pasqual Valley, which was recognized in 1981, is one of the oldest AVA designations in the nation. [Did you know that the first wine grapes in California were planted in San Diego?] The second AVA, Ramona Valley, was established in 2006 and is now home to the densest population of San Diego’s wineries in the county. 

San Diego wines continue to gain recognition around the world for their quality, concentration and rich aromas. Wine lovers have come to appreciate our floral Viogniers, our sassy Chardonnays, our dry rosés and our grassy Sauvignon Blancs. Red lovers adore our chunky Syrahs, our big-fruited Petit Sirahs and our softer, rounder medium-bodied Sangioveses and Montepulcianos. 

Wine Tours

In San Diego County, there are no busloads of tourists, wine trains or impersonal mega-winery experiences. Here, you'll discover actual winemakers and friendly folk at intimate boutique wineries that have—more often than not—been built by the winemakers themselves. 

In San Diego, you can stroll through 70-year old Zinfandel vines growing on a mountain side at 3,500 feet, hitch up your horse and sip a Spanish Albariño at a charming hacienda property, enjoy live music, art and Ruby Cabernet on a Sunday afternoon, or sit back on a sunny, dog-friendly patio and taste a robust Petite Sirah. 

From the mountain vineyards of Warner Springs to the pastoral countryside of Ramona; from the majestic hills of Escondido to the urban wineries of downtown and the coast, San Diego offers an authentic, unique and personal experience that’s sure to thrill and inspire any wine lover. 

Meet the members of the San Diego County Vintners Association and view an interactive San Diego Wine Country Map.

Find a place to stay

Book online or call 1-800-350-6205 to speak with a local expert

Deals just for you

Wineries

Happy Hour at Pali Wine Co.

Pali Wine Co
Valid: Jul 28, 2023 - ongoing

Join us at Pali Wine Co. Little Italy for the best happy hour deals in town! Deals on wine and food that can't be missed!   6 ounce tap wine glass...$7 1/2 liter tap wine carafe... $18 ...

Team Building

$10 off Wine Tours-Labor Day Celebration

San Diego Beer, Wine & Spirits Tours
Valid: Sep 1 - Sep 30, 2024

Stop and smell the Rosé during Labor Day month. Looking to relax and make a pour decision or two? Well, you’ve come to the wine place! The San Diego Chauffeured Winery Tour is...

Team Building

Best Wine Tour Save $5-California Wine Month!

San Diego Beer, Wine & Spirits Tours
Valid: Feb 22 - ongoing

We heard it through the grapevine that it’s once again California Wine Month.   That’s exactly why we’d like to propose a toast to our favorite month of the year,...

Related Articles and Features

Explore the Wine Region

Wineries

Neighborhoods

Stay in touch

Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination.

Sign Up

Explore

Plan

Stay

Follow Us

Language:

English | Change Language

Select your country or region

China
Germany
Great Britain
Japan
Mexico
Korea
Switzerland
Brazil
France
Australia
Canada
USA

Or use Google Translate

Afrikaans
Albanian
Arabic
Belarusian
Bulgarian
Croatian
Danish
Deutsch
Español
Estonian
Filipino
Finnish
Francais
Georgian
Greek
Haitian-Creole
Hebrew
Hindi
Hungarian
Icelandic
Indonesian
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latvian
Lithuanian
Macedonian
Malay
Maltese
Nederlands
Norwegian
Persian
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Slovak
Slovenian
Swahili
Swedish
Telugu
Thai
Turkish
Ukranian
Vietnamese
Yiddish