EAGLES NEST WINERY

Eagles Nest Winery is practically next door to Woof ‘n Rose, but equally if not more obscure.  The entrance is gated because vineyard-weeding sheep roam the premises, but the gate opened promptly when we phoned to announce our presence. Ascending, we entered an impressively perched 10-acre estate with views on all sides. Owners Dennis and Julie Grimes grow Rhone varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Tempranillo. They purchase other grapes from various California growers.

Dennis, an engineer and “accidental winemaker,” thinks of his craft as “an uncomfortable blend of science and art.” He and Julie once considered starting a native plant nursery on their land, but leaned towards vines because people in the area were already agitating for a Ramona AVA, and grapes are very water-wise. Their first vintage was 2003. Tasting at a leisurely pace, we loved the 2007 San Diego Syrah, which won a gold medal in Temecula, and the 2007 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. There’s also an outstanding Cabernet Port.  

Eagles Nest's wine club is currently closed to new members.

A View From Eagles Nest

The Sheep

CORDIANO WINERY

At around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday we pulled into Cordiano's driveway and were lucky to find a place to park. It’s been a while since we've stopped by, but Jerry, smiling from ear to ear, welcomed us as always. The patio tables were packed with small groups or couples who’d made this their evening destination for good wine and pizza with built-in conviviality and an amazing sunset. There’s a whole new structure at the winery: a barrel room topped with a wedding/party platform. We settled at the bar to taste the current lineup with Jerry's wine-savvy friend Tony, a born conversationalist who helps out when things get busy. The 2010 white Grenache was a pleasant surprise – refreshing and dry. Moving on to the reds - all of which are big and almost demand to be consumed with Italian food -  we quite liked the 2007 Cabernet Franc but on second tasting shifted toward the 2007 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon as our favorite, for now.

Cordiano's patio is open Wednesday-Sunday 11:00-dusk. 760.480.6673

Link to first Cordiano post...



The Patio at Cordiano







APPELLATION RAMONA



The Ramona AVA

In 2006 Ramona vintners succeeded in getting their own appellation; Ramona is now an American Vinticultural Area (AVA). An AVA designates a wine-growing region geographically, historically, and for its climate and soil. Presently the Ramona Vineyard Association lists 55 members within the AVA, including 15 licensed and bonded wineries. Prior to this year there were very few tasting rooms in the area because small wineries had to obtain a Major Use Permit, which currently costs $250,000, in order to open their doors to the public. Ramona winemakers organized and worked with the county’s Board of Supervisors to pass, in August 2010, a tiered ordinance under which wine tasting rooms are permitted by right of agricultural zoning, just as farm stands are.  The ordinance has since been challenged in court by claimants who argue that wine tasting is a “new agricultural use” of the land. But as the appeal process drags on, the tasting rooms are popping up. Seven currently keep established business hours and several more are open by appointment.

Our Ramona Wines, July 16

More from Ramona



EDWARDS VINEYARD AND CELLARS

Edwards Vineyard and Cellars has been growing Syrah, Petit Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes since 2000. Their lovely tasting patio has been open on weekends since March 2011. The place is classy but unpretentions with smooth-rimmed glasses, freshly baked rolls from a local bakery, and a view of the valley. From Beth Edwards we learned not only about the delicious, full-bodied wines we were sipping, but also something of the local winemakers’ steadfast efforts to literally put themselves on the map, and to be able to pour and sell from their tasting rooms. The thread that binds this rather long story is cooperation. These folks recognized their common interests and stuck together. Now they promote each other; there's an amiable sense of inclusion that’s not lost on visitors. Leaving with a bottle of 2004 Syrah, we felt like we’d made a friend.
The Edwards tasting patio is open weekends 11:00-5:00, with additional hours by appointment. 760.788.6800

Link to our most comprehensive Edwards post...

PAMO VALLEY WINERY Tasting Room

Walking into Pamo Valley Vineyards and Winery’s newly opened tasting room in Old Town Ramona, we felt heartily welcomed into a once-secret club. The vineyard, described by owner and winemaker Jennifer Jenkin as a miniature Balboa Park setting “with thousands of red geraniums and hundreds of eucalyptus trees,” was established in 2000.  Jenkin started making wine in 2004, selling it via restaurants, retailers, and a wine club. The journey that led her to become proprietor of the only woman-owned winery in San Diego County included a stint in the wine country around Melbourne, Australia. Jenkin uses only local grapes and specializes almost exclusively in food-friendly reds. With production at only 400 cases per year, impeccable attention to quality, and affordable prices, it’s no wonder she has trouble holding onto older vintages. We scored one of the last bottles of 2006 Reserve Syrah.


The blends here deserve special attention. They’re products of a careful, collaborative, two-day tasting-and-winnowing process. We loved the 2008 “Indian Princess” and 2007 “Seduction.”

Pamo's wine clubs offers quarterly 2-bottle shipments of hand-picked wines for $30-$45, complementary tastings, a 30% discount on case orders, and opportunities to help out in the vineyard.

Link to newest Pamo post

Pamo Tasting Room Door