If you didn’t know San Diego had wine country, you’re not alone. Most people don’t — and that’s exactly what makes it worth the trip.
Hillside Ranch Vineyard sits in the hills of Jamul, about 25 minutes east of downtown San Diego. We’re the closest stop on the Highway 94 Wine Trail, a collection of seven small estate wineries stretched along one of East County’s most scenic back roads. The others — Granite Lion Cellars, Rustic Ridge Vineyards, Deerhorn Valley Vineyards, Valentina Vineyards, Dulzura Vineyard & Winery, and Spanish Peacock Winery — are all worth a visit if you want to make a day of it.
We grow Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Syrah right here on our estate vineyard. Each year we also source select grapes from neighboring vineyards to broaden what we offer and experiment with blending. The last two years, we’ve purchased Grenache grapes from Valentina Vineyards and we’re thrilled with it as both a standalone and in a couple of blends we’ll be releasing later this year.
Visiting the San Diego Highway 94 Wine Trail is different from what you might experience in Napa, Sonoma and other popular wine regions. Each are family-owned, small-lot, estate wineries. You’ll enjoy a relaxed tasting experience while soaking up views of our vineyards and the surrounding hillsides and valleys. In many cases, you’ll be hosted by the owners and/or winemakers themselves. And we’re very proud of the wines we serve.
If you’re planning a wine tasting near San Diego or looking to explore the best wineries the region has to offer, the Highway 94 Wine Trail is one of San Diego’s best kept secrets. It’s an ideal San Diego winery tour — seven unique vineyards near San Diego tucked into the hills of East County, each with its own character and story.
We’re open Friday through Sunday, noon to 5pm. No reservation required.
Hope to see you on the trail!
Getting here: 14165 Hillside Dr., Jamul, CA (We’re 25 minutes from downtown San Diego, 20 minutes from Chula Vista, and the closest winery to Jamul Casino — practically across the street)
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