“I had no idea San Diego had wineries.”
We hear some version of that almost every weekend in our tasting room. Visitors drive up our dirt road in Jamul, look out at the vineyard, and say they had no idea this existed — that they’d lived in San Diego for years and never knew wine country was 25 minutes away.
We get it. We felt the same way when we first started planting vines here on our family ranch. San Diego doesn’t have the name recognition of Napa or Sonoma, and that’s honestly part of what makes it special.
San Diego Has Real Wine Country
The hills of East County San Diego — Jamul, Dulzura, Potrero — have the kind of growing conditions that make for interesting wine. Warm days, cool nights, granitic soils, and an elevation that keeps things from getting too hot. It’s not Napa. It’s its own thing, and we’ve come to love it for exactly that reason.
The Highway 94 Wine Trail connects seven small, family-owned estate wineries along one of East County’s most scenic back roads. Granite Lion Cellars, Rustic Ridge Vineyards, Deerhorn Valley Vineyards, Valentina Vineyards, Dulzura Vineyard & Winery, and Spanish Peacock Winery are all worth a visit. We’re the closest to downtown — about 25 minutes east on Highway 94.
What Makes These Wineries Different
The wineries near San Diego on the Highway 94 trail aren’t trying to be Napa. Tasting fees are reasonable, walk-ins are welcome, and in most cases you’re talking directly with the people who grew and made the wine. That’s not common at larger wineries.
At Hillside Ranch, tastings are $20 for five pours — waived with a two-bottle purchase. We pour wines made from grapes grown right here: Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. We also work with grapes from neighboring vineyards to round out our lineup with Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Riesling.
How to Plan Your Visit
Most wineries on the trail are open Friday through Sunday, noon to 5pm (although hours vary – be sure to check first). Not sure what a tasting involves? Here’s what to expect at a tasting. No reservations needed. The drive along Highway 94 is scenic enough to be part of the experience — pack a picnic, plan for an afternoon, and start at whichever end makes sense from where you’re coming from. If you’re coming from San Diego or Chula Vista, we’re your first stop heading east.
We’re at 14165 Hillside Drive in Jamul, right across from Jamul Casino. Come say hi — and don’t be surprised if you leave wondering why it took you so long to discover San Diego wine country.