We grow four varieties on the ranch — Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Pinot Noir, and Syrah — on about two acres of hillside vines in Jamul. We also source Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Riesling from neighboring growers in East County and Dulzura. All of our wines are small production lots.
Our current releases estate wines include:
Sauvignon Blanc — Bright, citrusy and crisp
Sauvignon Blanc, Wild Ferment — Same grapes, native yeast fermentation
Viognier — Floral and stone fruit forward
Rosé of Syrah — Dry and fresh
Pinot Noir — We’ll admit Pinot is a stretch in this climate, but it keeps surprising us
Syrah — Dark fruit and pepper
Our Winemaking Philosophy
We believe the best wines start in the vineyard. At Hillside Ranch, that means farming our two-acre estate with care — monitoring the vines through every stage of the growing season, harvesting by hand, and making decisions in the cellar that let the fruit speak for itself. We use minimal intervention: native yeast for some, minimal additions, and patience. The result is wine that tastes like where it came from.
What Makes San Diego Wine Unique
San Diego isn’t the first place most people think of when they think California wine. But East County’s combination of warm days, cool marine-influenced nights, and granite-rich soils creates growing conditions that produce wines with real character — bright acidity, concentrated fruit, and a minerality you don’t find in warmer inland regions. We’re still learning what this land does best, and every vintage teaches us something new.