20 Wineries Near San Diego You Can’t Miss
Are you looking for the best San Diego Wineries? When it comes to sipping the day away, add these popular wineries in San Diego to your list!
What wine is San Diego known for?
San Diego is known for quite a range of wines! Some of the most popular types of wine include Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc, but it’s really hard to narrow it down as California is known for some of the best wines around.
What is California’s most famous wine region?
While San Diego has a ton of amazing wineries, don’t forget that Napa Valley is the most famous place to get delicious wines in the entire state.
20 Best San Diego Wineries
Whether you want to book epic San Diego win tours or just are looking for a place with the best wine tasting in San Diego, all of these wineries are top notch perfection.
There is such a thing as San Diego wine country – and this list proves it! You’ll love this list of the best wineries in San Diego!
1. Sunshine Mountain Vineyard
Nestled on the thriving hilltops of North San Diego, Sunshine Mountain Vineyard is the perfect winery to relish in breathtaking panoramic mountaintop views of San Diego and the city. Sunshine Mountain Vineyard is under the guidance of a winemaker with 30 years of experience, overseeing the thorough winemaking process from growing the grapes in the vineyards to bottling the wine.
Presenting an alluring rustic charm, guests can relax in one of Sunshine Mountain Vineyard’s three earthen caves. Here, the vineyard’s wines are aged in oak barrels before being bottled and served to guests.
Before the wines are aged, the harvested grapes are crushed and then cold-soaked to enhance the flavor and preserve the striking color of the wine.
Head to Sunshine Mountain Vineyard for a glass of refreshing Santa Barbara County Sauvignon Blanc or other fresh, hand-crafted blends! (and if you’re looking for San Diego wineries with a view, this is it!)
- Address: 2286 Sunshine Mountain Rd, San Marcos, CA 92069
- Hours: 12 PM – 7 PM (Thursday-Sunday), Closed (Monday-Wednesday)
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: Yes
- Food: Bringing food is not allowed. Food options are available on Sunshine Mountain Vineyard’s menu.
2. Charlie & Echo
An independent, urban winery and tasting room, Charlie & Echo’s mission is to produce and craft spectacular wines from local vineyards that represent San Diego in its entire essence.
Using naturally occurring yeast, the wines at Charlie & Echo are made as naturally as possible, with minimal processing. This is to preserve the wine’s authenticity, such as the wine’s flavor profile or color, without using chemical additives to “correct” or redefine these attributes.
Come hang out in Charlie & Echo’s tasting room or outdoor patio while enjoying selections from the menu. Try the 2021 Whoa Jake! – flavored with charcoal, underripe plum, nectarine, and rose, a Sangiovese, Grenache.
Pair it with delectable bites of cheese coins, artisan crisps, olives, and goat cheese for a delectable treat of Sangiovese, Grenache at Charlie & Echo.
If you’re looking for San Diego Wineries with food, this. is a great option.
- Address: 8680 Miralani Dr #125, San Diego, CA 92126
- Hours: 4 PM – 8 PM (Thursday-Friday), 1 PM – 8 PM (Saturday), 1 PM – 6 PM (Sunday), Closed (Monday-Wednesday)
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: Yes (on the patio)
- Food: Serves food. Additional food and beverages are welcome.
4. Cordiano Winery
A family-owned and operated winery, Cordiano Winery is settled in the Highland Valley hills, offering spectacular views of North County San Diego.
Cordiano Winery was the lifelong dream that came to life of Gerardo and Rosa Cordiano, who moved to New York from Calabria, Italy, in the 1970s.
The Cordiano family opened pizzerias and restaurants after their move to America, all successful until finally, they sold them to open up Cordiano Winery in 2008.
Today, guests can bask in awe-inspiring views, elegant wines, and Italian-inspired bites at Cordiano Winery. Savor dessert wine sangrias or the full-bodied Portofino, fortified with brandy, selections paired with freshly made cannolis made with sweet ricotta filling and dusted with powdered sugar at the exceptional and authentic Cordiano Winery!
- Address: 15732 Highland Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92025
- Hours: 12 PM – 6 PM (Wednesday-Thursday, Sunday), 12 PM – 7 PM (Friday-Saturday)
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: Yes
- Food: Serves food.
5. Rustic Ridge Vineyards
Only 25 minutes from downtown San Diego, Rustic Ridge Vineyards is complemented by astonishing viewpoints of the Pacific Ocean, the rugged mountains, Point Loma, and the Coronado Islands.
Acting as one of the top spots for viewing the colorful sunsets of San Diego, the vineyard is perfect for a romantic getaway or a friend’s trip to explore Rustic Ridge Vineyards’ exceptional selection of California wines.
Choose from warming reds such as Malbec, Syrah, and Reserve Montepulciano. Or, consider trying the new sunset sangria, berry wines, or sparkling rose!
The food selection at Rustic Ridge Vineyards pairs wonderfully between sips of wine. From warm pretzels and picnic basket charcuterie to pizzas and chocolate chip cookies, enjoy a tasty selection of fresh menu items while savoring outstanding wine and even better views at Rustic Ridge Vineyards.
- Address: 15262 Lyons Valley Rd, Jamul, CA 91935
- Hours: 11 AM – 6 PM (Saturday-Sunday), Closed (Monday-Friday)
- Kid-Friendly: No
- Dog-Friendly: No
- Food: Serves food.
6. Mia Marie VINEYARDS
A family-owned, community-focused estate winery, Mia Marie Winery was a dream transformed into reality by husband-and-wife John and Mia, who debuted the winery in 2016.
Located on the beautifully scenic Highland Valley, the winery is adored for its premium top-notch craft wine and the picturesque setting perfect for relaxing over a glass of wine.
From the tasting pavilion, savor panoramic viewpoints of the Highland Valley Wine Country with the unique experience of watching the winemaking process.
Mia Marie Winery’s wines have won numerous awards for their exceptional wine-making skills. One such wine is their Dry Muscat won the “Best San Diego County White Wine” in the 2020 Toast of the Coast competition.
A visit to Mia Marie Winery offers an opportunity to try award-winning wines, taste wines made from offbeat wine techniques, bask in the stunning views, and watch the winemaking process from start to finish.
- Address: 15036 Highland Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92025
- Hours: 2 PM – 6 PM (Friday), 12 PM – 6 PM (Saturday-Sunday), Closed (Monday-Thursday)
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: Yes
- Food: Serves food. Outside food is welcome.
7. Orfila Vineyards and Winery
One of the small yet just as beloved wineries in Escondido, California, Orfila Vineyards and Winery is an ultra-premium production winery set in the San Pasqual Valley.
Only 30 minutes from San Diego, the 70-acre estate offers scenic opportunities from the patio and tasting room, overlooking the gloriously stunning valley. The tree-lined picnic area is a family-friendly space for kids to play on the grassy knolls.
This established small winery is renowned for using French and Italian varietals and its acclaimed wines. These include varietals from the Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Rhône Valley. Many Orfila Vineyards and Winery grapes are directly sourced from its vineyard along with select vineyards from Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Sonoma Counties to make award-winning wines backed by experienced winemaker Andrew Wisniewski.
- Address: 13455 San Pasqual Rd, Escondido, CA 92025
- Hours: 11 AM – 7 PM (Sunday-Saturday)
- Kid-Friendly: Yes (though only allowed in the park area)
- Dog-Friendly: Yes
- Food: Outside food is welcome in the park area.
8. Monserate Winery
With the purchase of the Fallbrook Golf Course in 2016, a public golf course for over 56 years, the first vineyard of Monserate Winery was planted in 2017!
The stunning property of Monserate Winery is decked in tall sycamore trees and hundred-year-old oaks, the land revitalized by the winery’s mission to revitalize the old golf course into an established and thriving winery.
Enriching the community, Monserate Winery has become one of San Diego County’s top wineries, featuring award-winning wines, prosperous vineyards, and tranquil landscapes.
Choose from impressive selections from the wine menu, including the 2021 Greco, featuring bold flavors, beauty, and body for an exceptional wine-tasting experience. Pair with food menu items like the Parmesan Arugula Salad, a Charcuterie Board, or the Truffle pizza.
- Address: 2757 Gird Rd, Fallbrook, CA 92028
- Hours: 11 AM – 6 PM (Wednesday-Monday), Closed (Tuesday)
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: No
- Food: Serves food.
9. Hungry Hawk Vineyards & Winery
Known as one of the best wineries in Escondido, Hungry Hawk Vineyards & Winery presents a rustic California-designed tasting room with crafted varietals from Spain, France, and Italy.
The family-owned and operated ten-acre estate is nestled in the San Pasqual Valley, producing 15 grape varietals using sustainable farming practices to produce special blends in the winemaking process. Annually, the Hungry Hawk Vineyards & Winery releases more than 25 unique wines, most of which are award-winning, in its Estate Tasting Room.
Join a vineyard tour of Hungry Hawk Vineyards & Winery to discover more behind-the-scenes of how the wine is made from vine to glass. The tour includes five wine tastings, with the tour led by the winemaker or owner of Hungry Hawk Vineyards & Winery!
- Address: 3255 Summit Dr, Escondido, CA 92025
- Hours: 2 PM – 7 PM (Thursday-Friday), 12 PM – 6 PM (Friday-Sunday), Closed (Monday-Wednesday)
- Kid-Friendly: No
- Dog-Friendly: No
- Food: Serves snacks. Outside food is welcome.
10. Speckle Rock Vineyards
What began as a successful avocado ranch, wiped out by the Witch Creek wildlife in 2007, soon became a rejuvenated and successful vineyard – Speckle Rock Vineyards, their tagline, “Born from the Ashes, Raised on the Vine.”
Visiting Speckle Rock Vineyards is a perfect opportunity to sip on wine while basking in the sunset as the last of its vibrant colors touches the valley.
The back patio features live music on the weekends, perfect for socializing and enjoying the picturesque atmosphere over spectacular wine selections. Expect exceptional customer service and be left impressed by Speckle Rock Vineyards!
- Address: 16138 Highland Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92025
- Hours: 1 PM – 7 PM (Thursday-Sunday), Closed (Monday-Wednesday)
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: Yes
- Food: Serves small snacks.
11. San Pasqual Winery | Seaport Village
Using grapes sourced from local vineyards and viticulture regions in California, San Pasqual Winery handcrafts its wine in small lots filled with care and passion. One of the top wineries in San Diego, there are three locations of San Pasqual Winery: La Mesa Tasting Room, Seaport Village Tasting Room, and La Mesa Wine Works & Winery.
A family-owned winery, San Pasqual Winery is featured on Sunset Magazine’s “Hot 100 West Coast Trends” list. Annual production from San Pasqual Winery ranges from three to four thousand cases, with most of its wine sold from the tasting room and winery locations.
The Seaport Village Tasting Room’s location overlooks the bay in downtown San Diego with wine and flight offerings. Guests can watch ships leave and enter the port from the deck patio.
The La Mesa Village location offers a cozy atmosphere for socializing and people-watching. The La Mesa Wine Works’ tasting room presents live music and local food vendors on the weekend.
- Address: 805 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
- Hours: 10 AM – 8 PM (Sunday-Thursday), 10 AM – 9 PM (Friday-Saturday)
- Kid-Friendly: No
- Dog-Friendly: Yes
- Food: No.
12. Gianni Buonomo Vintners
Wonderfully located in Ocean Beach, or “OB,” as locals call it, Gianni Buonomo Vintners is an urban winery on the Point Loma peninsula’s western shore. The salt of the ocean reaches you from right outside the doors of this intricate winery.
At Gianni Buonomo Vintners, taste rare varietals for stimulating intrigue in your wine-tasting experience. Stop in for a wine tasting to sip on crafted pickings or buy a bottle to share with friends while enjoying the refined and welcoming atmosphere of Gianni Buonomo Vintners.
Every Friday, Gianni Buonomo Vintners hosts Fedora Friday. Guests that don their favorite fedora in the tasting room can savor the first glass of the currently released wine pickings for only five dollars!
- Address: 4836 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107
- Hours: 1 PM – 7 PM (Wednesday-Saturday), Closed (Sunday-Tuesday)
- Kid-Friendly: No
- Dog-Friendly: Yes
- Food: Serves snacks.
13. Domaine Artefact Vineyard & Winery
Part of the renowned wineries in Escondido, Domaine Artefact Vineyard & Winery, lies in the San Pasqual Valley at an elevation that has established a favorable microclimate for wine-making vineyards.
Dedicated to producing Rhone grape varietals, visiting the Domaine Artefact Vineyard & Winery allows guests to taste these varietals in traditional and unique blends.
Schedule a Domaine Artefact Vineyard & Winery tour to see the vineyard and winery led by experienced staff members. Discover how the winery prioritizes sustainable vineyard practices and enjoy delicious sampling selections of wines maturing in the barrel.
From Domaine Artefact Vineyard & Winery, watch the horses graze and the colorful sunset on the outdoor patio. Picnics are welcome in the outdoor space, and live music and food vendors decorate the space on the weekends for a fun space to visit!
- Address: 15406 Highland Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92025
- Hours: 2 PM – 7 PM (Friday), 12 PM – 7 PM (Saturday-Sunday), Closed (Monday-Thursday)
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: Yes
- Food: No.
14. Witch Creek Winery
The oldest urban winery in San Diego, Witch Creek Winery specializes in consumer-friendly wines in a unique environment. Recognized as San Diego’s Best Winery by the San Diego A-list in 2016, Witch Creek Winery is dedicated to bringing award-winning wines to its customers.
Want some small bites to pair with your wine? Order from the Witch’s Kitchen, serving small snacks, including charcuterie plates, hummus & pita, and spinach dip. Savor sweet wines, like the Honey Mead or Pomegranate Supreme, or the dessert wine, Purrfect Port, with notes of chocolate, sweet plum, hazelnut, blackberry, caramel, and a hint of licorice.
Or, snag a class of the White selection, such as the Cat’s Cauldron Chardonnay, vanilla, buttery, and oaky.
- Address: 2906 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
- Hours: 12 PM – 7 PM (Monday-Thursday, Sunday), 12 PM – 8 PM (Friday), 12 PM – 9 PM (Saturday)
- Kid-Friendly: No
- Dog-Friendly: Yes
- Food: Serves food.
15. Castelli & Pizarro Family Winery
Featuring award-winning wines, the Castelli & Pizarro Family Winery hosts guests in an Italian-designed stucco with a high ceiling, a bar, and wine barrels aging the upcoming year’s harvest.
Boasting exceptional customer service, a gorgeous barrel room, rich scenery, and exceptional wines, a visit to Castelli & Pizarro Family Winery will not disappoint you.
Try the Cabernet Sauvignon, the Miscela red blend, or the Petite Sirah for favored recommendations while savoring the vineyards’ great vibes and fabulous views.
- Address: 17870 Oak Grove Rd, Ramona, CA 92065
- Hours: 12 PM – 5 PM (Saturday-Sunday), Closed (Monday-Friday)
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: Yes
- Food: serves food or allowed to bring food?
16. Volcan Mountain Winery
Magnificently set at the base of the scenic Volcan Mountain, Volcan Mountain Winery presents a unique setting for its orchard, vineyard, winery, and tasting room.
Only two miles from the historic gold mining town of Julian, the winery offers an opportunity to remove oneself from the hustle and bustle of city life to replenish in the charming mountainside.
Selling responsibly produced, hand-crafted wine selections, Volcan Mountain Winery proves to be an overall exceptional experience. The orchard produces 20 varieties of apples used to make outstanding apple wines and ports, including Volcan Mountain Winery’s bubbly sparkling apple wine, Poome D’Amour.
Picnics are encouraged to be paired with Volcan Mountain Winery’s wine selections. Guests can savor unique wine blends and picnic treats with views of the vineyards and orchids sprawling within sight.
- Address: 1255 Julian Orchards Dr, Julian, CA 92036
- Hours: 11 AM – 5 PM (Friday-Monday), Closed (Tuesday-Thursday)
- Kid-Friendly: No
- Dog-Friendly: N/A
- Food: Food is allowed in the picnic area.
17. Bernardo Winery
Opened in 1889 on what was once a Spanish land grant, Bernardo Winery has established itself as a beloved winery for locals and tourists alike as one of the best wineries in San Diego.
The modern winemaking facility is set in a century-old building that previously acted as a tractor barn before its renovation. Wines produced at Bernardo Winery have been locally sourced from grapes that symbolize the San Diego Terroir, including Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah.
The working winemaking facility at Bernardo Winery is only open for private tours. However, guests are welcome to explore the historic antique wine-making facility in Bernardo Winery’s courtyard.
Here, visitors can peer at large-scale redwood barrels constructed more than 130 years ago, once used for the wine-making process of the olden days.
- Address: 13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte, San Diego, CA 92128
- Hours: 11 AM – 8 PM (Wednesday-Saturday), 9 AM – 6 PM (Sunday), Closed (Monday-Tuesday)
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: No
- Food: Serves food.
18. Espinosa Vineyards & Winery
One of the top wineries in Escondido before Espinosa Vineyards & Winery’s time, grapes were planted on the property in 1893, and the first commercial winery was established in 1936.
In 2007, the old winery was demolished and burned to the ground in 2007 by San Diego’s “Firestorm.” Espinosa Vineyards & Winery got its revival in 2008, becoming a family-owned operation.
A small lot of single-vineyard wines are produced at Espinosa Vineyards & Winery, generating phenomenal selections. Espinosa Vineyards & Winery primarily focuses on growing locally or sourcing from acclaimed regions in California.
Tastings and purchases of glasses or bottles of wine are available at Espinosa Vineyards & Winery’s bar. Seating is spread out beneath the canopy of Ponderosa Pines for guests to bask in the views while socializing over spectacular wines.
- Address: 15360 Bandy Canyon Rd, Escondido, CA 92025
- Hours: 12 PM – 5:30 PM (Saturday-Sunday), Closed (Monday-Friday)
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: Yes
- Food: Outside food is welcome.
19. AltipIano Vineyard & Winery
One of the successful wineries in Escondido, Altipiano Vineyard & Winery, was once an avocado farm before the 2007 San Diego wildfires demolished the farm. After the tragedy, the Clarkes began the Altiplano Vineyard & Winery in 2008, releasing their first wines in 2012.
The family-owned and operated boutique winery is perched scenically in San Pasqual Valley. It includes a winemaker’s library, a tasting room, a winery production facility, and a barrel room.
The Tuscan-inspired property offers a warm setting for guests to savor the terraced gardens underneath umbrella-covered tables as the fountains trickle and wine is poured.
Book a private tasting at Altipiano Vineyard & Winery to discover the decadent and rich flavors of Tuscany with wine expert and connoisseur Denise Clark.
Through the private tasting, visitors can learn more about what goes into the winemaking process, the intricate notes found in each glass, and the perfect food pairings that cater to the wine’s unique blend.
- Address: 20365 Camino Del Aguila, Escondido, CA 92025
- Hours: 12 PM – 6 PM (Saturday), 12 PM – 5 PM (Sunday), Closed (Monday-Friday)
- Kid-Friendly: No
- Dog-Friendly: N/A
- Food: Serves light snacks.
20. Belle Marie Winery
Belle Marie Winery is one of the many exceptional family-owned wineries in Escondido, California. The winery and tasting room are settled on 3½ acres surrounded by fragrant citrus groves and shaded trees great for sitting down for a picnic with friends, family, and man’s best friend.
On the grounds of Belle Marie Winery is a French-style chateau castle where events are held for weddings, charities, birthdays, etc.
More than 20 unique wines are produced at Belle Marie Winery annually, with different takes on red, dessert, rose, white, and other varietal blends. Purchase flights of delectable selections surrounded by rejuvenating nature and a replenishing atmosphere at Belle Marie Winery!
- Address: 26312 Mesa Rock Rd, Escondido, CA 92026
- Hours: 11 AM – 5 PM (Daily)
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: Yes
- Food: Outside food is welcome.
I hope you found the article on the best wineries near San Diego helpful! I know I am always on the hunt for hidden gems and wineries outside of Temecula!
