Check Out San Diego's Flourishing Wine Region

Ramona boasts the highest density of wineries in San Diego County with more than 30 currently active. Because the valley has properties that range from majestic hilltops to verdant valleys, from rocky slopes to mountain vistas, Ramona’s vintners can take advantage of a wide variety of microclimates and growing conditions, each one suited best to a specific collection of excellent varietals.

Castelli Family Vineyards

Where: 17872 Oak Grove Road, Ramona, CA 92065
From hobby to 3,000 vines to underground wine cellar and award-winning wines, that has been the journey for the owners of this winery. Sip on award winning wines on a spacious outdoor patio overlooking the vineyard.

Or enjoy a flight in the Italian-style stucco, high ceiling underground wine cellar complete with a large custom bar complemented by wine barrels aging the current year's harvest. Wines include Pinot Noir, Syrah, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Tempranillo.

La Finquita Winery & Vineyard

Where: 23123 Vista Ramona Road, Ramona, CA 92065
La Finquita, which means "the little farm," has been cultivating its eight acres in Ramona since 1988. Charlie and Jess Koehler—the youngest vintners and winery owners in Ramona—produce a well-rounded collection of reds, whites and dessert wines.

Enjoy our hand-crafted wine in the relaxing atmosphere of their indoor tasting room or with the stunning views from their comfortable tasting patio. You can often catch a glimpse of red-tail hawks playing in the breeze above the winery and if you’re lucky you might meet one of the friendly neighborhood roadrunners that roam around the property.

Milagro Farms Vineyards & Winery

Where: 18750 Littlepage Rd, Ramona, CA 92065
The sprawling 110-acre Milagro Farms Vineyard & Winery sits on a dirt road just off Highway 78, which will eventually take you to Julian. Originally opened in 2006, the winemaking facilities on the property were greatly expanded a few years later, which also increased production. Today, the recently renovated tasting room sits atop a scenic hillside overlooking the vineyard. Bocce courts lay near the large, shaded patio, and wild turkeys are a common sight around the property.

The winery produces about 3,000 cases of wine per year, all from estate-grown fruit. The winery has recently expanded its plantings, even though there are already more than 10,000 vines of Barbera, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Aleatico grapes.

Standout whites include an award-winning Sauvignon Blanc, Milagro Chardonnay and the Rosé of Sangiovese, which took the Toast of the Coast award in 2012 and 2018. Notable reds include an elegant Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, as well as a solid and delicious Sangiovese blend. If the Aleatico is available when you visit, be sure to get a taste. This unusual and somewhat rare varietal produces a sweet, heady elixir that can only be described as a decadent blueberry port.

Edwards Vineyard and Cellars

Where: 26502 Hwy 78, Ramona, CA 92065
Within minutes of Milagro, just off highway 78, you’ll find Edwards Vineyard and Cellars. Their open-air tasting patio enjoys cooling summer breezes and a relaxing vineyard view. Look for the yellow and orange umbrellas to lead you to a comfortable tasting area and some very impressive 100% estate-grown red wines and rosés. The pastoral setting offers great views of Witch Creek Mountain, Cuyamaca Peak, horse farms and roaming camels, which inhabit the dairy across the road.

Kohill Vineyard and Winery

Where: 17211 Highlander Dr, Ramona, CA 92065
Beth and Victor Edwards are the passionate owners of this 3.5-acre vineyard, which sits at 2,500 feet above sea level. Winemaker Victor’s talents are best showcased with his Syrah—a blend of four clones that produce a dark, concentrated cherry and strawberry fruit with a touch of white pepper spice. The Petite Sirah—their flagship wine—is another dense and rich red that is both accessible and also balanced by impressive tannins. Also look for Cabernet Sauvignon, Southern Rhône-style blends, and a dessert wine every now and then.

Kohill Vineyard and Winery sits up in the Highland Hills near the Mt. Woodson Golf Course. Its charming and cozy tasting room is small, but the patio offers stunning views of the valley and the property's eight acres. Since 2004, Mike Kopp has been producing some nicely structured and impressive wines from six estate-grown varietals. Try his beautifully balanced Viognier, his unique Refosco and his mellow, fruit-forward Merlot. Kopp also makes rosé from his Refosco grapes, which is a reliable and refreshing hot weather sipper. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic and their dogs so they can spend a leisurely afternoon at the winery.

Woof 'n Rose Winery

Where: 17073 Garjan Ln, Ramona, CA 92065
When you pull into Woof 'n Rose Winery, you understand immediately how winemakers Marilyn and Steve Kahle chose their vineyard's name: The first two things you notice are a group of lively dogs and the lovely aroma of roses.

This boutique five-acre winery produces nine varieties of red, all with 100% Ramona AVA estate-grown fruit. Their flagship wine is a medal-winning 100% estate-grown Cabernet Franc. Of particular note is the deep red, jammy Alicante Bouschet—an uncommon varietal—and their Bordeaux blend, Eglantine, which is a well-balanced and tasty mix of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. If you're a dessert wine fan, be sure to try the Neuf Anges, which is named for the nine dogs that have lived at the property over the years.

Chuparosa Vineyards

Where: 910 Gem Ln, Ramona, CA 92065
Husband and wife team Carol and Andy Harris are producing some impressive reds at Chuparosa, which means hummingbird in Spanish. On their five-acre property, you'll see rows of Malbec, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc and Albariño (a Spanish white grape) growing. You can sip their flavorful wines—including North Block Blend Dry Rosé (a blend of Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese) and a standout Cabernet Franc—in the newly completed tasting room (which features a large stone fireplace) or relax out on the spacious dog-friendly patio.

Be sure to check the Ramona Valley wineries' website for up-to-date tasting room hours. Some wineries will open by appointment if you have a group and call ahead.