CARRUTH CELLARS WINERY

The urban winery Carruth Cellars in Solana Beach sources a wide variety of California grapes and does almost all of the winemaking and bottling on site.  The wines are still very young, but they show promise.  Plus, we liked the vibe.  We’ll be back. The tasting room stays open late when there's a show across the street at the Belly Up.

Carruth invites "Wine Thiefs" to join their wine club, with lots of options. See https://carruth.worldsecuresystems.com/cellar-club.htm 

The Carruth tasting room is open Monday-Saturday 12:00-12:00, Sunday 9:00-6:00. 320 South Cedros Ave. #400 Solana Beach858.847.9463

Newest post about Carruth Cellars...

BELLE MARIE WINERY

 

We've been vintage club members at Belle Marie, just north of Escondido, for several years now. Winemaker Mick and his assistant Jeff, who craft both "new world" (Belle Marie) and "old world" (Chateau Dragoo) style wines, never disappoint.  Our most recent tasting included two lovely whites – a Viognier and a blend, a dry rose, and quite a lineup of dry, interesting reds. Besides our club wines – 2008 Tempranillo, 2007 Zin, and 2005 Maestro (80% Cabernet, 20% Nebbiolo), we brought home a delicious and afordably priced 2003 Barolo.  It's always a pleasure to visit with Marie in the tasting room.  

Belle Marie's wine club offers four 3-bottle shipments per year for a flat rate of $55. Wine club members get free tasting at any time and discounts on additional purchases.

Link to newest Belle Marie post

HACIENDA DE LAS ROSAS WINERY Tasting Room

The Hacienda de las Rosas tasting room in Old Town is a close-to-home stop for San Diego dwellers.  These people grow a lot of their grapes in Ramona and specialize in very likeable Spanish-style wines.  The tasting room is pleasant in an eclectic way, featuring pictures of the proprietors' beautiful horses.  Guests are invited to relax at small tables rather than taste at the bar.

The Hacienda de las Rosas wine club features only San Diego County wines. Memers pay $49 for two bottles shipped every other month.

Link to newest Hacienda de las Rosas post

WINE TOURING IN RAMONA

Here's a fairly compact route to help you discover the Ramona AVA. It ends at Salerno, where you can relax and order a handmade pizza. Assuming that you're coming from San Diego, you'll start tasting at the furthest point from home.

Begin at Edwards Vineyard and Cellars (A - Sat. & Sun. 11-5), then proceed to Pyramid (B - Sat. & Sun. 12-5), Lenora (C - Sat. & Sun. 10-6), the Pamo Tasting Room (D - Fri. 2-6, Sat. & Sun. 11-6), and Salerno (E - Wed. - Sun. 11-dusk).

Ramona Tasting Route

Please note that the opening hours listed here are valid as of the date of this post. It's never a bad idea to check the wineries' websites or give them a call. New Ramona tasting rooms are opening on an almost monthly basis, so stay tuned for more options!

Outside the Pamo Tasting Room in Ramona

A new publication featuring Ramona wineries

MORE TOURING IN RAMONA

This route features three of Ramona's newest tasting rooms as well as its oldest. Start at Schawesdall (A - Sat. & Sun. 10-6), then detour a bit to Mahogany Mountain (B - Sat. & Sun. 1-4). Next stop by Eagles Nest (C - Fri. - Sun. 11-dusk). If you can arrange an appointment, by all means visit Woof 'n Rose, which is practically next door to Eagles Nest (D - call 760-788-4828 or email steve@woofnrose.com). Finish the day at Salerno (E - Wed. - Sun. 11-dusk). Alternately, you could head into the center of Ramona and enjoy the ambience of the Pamo tasting room (603 Main St.)

Ramona Route Two
Mahogany Mountain Post with Additional Map