Deerhorn Valley Vineyards wins two gold medals

Source:  Deerhorn Valley Vineyards

August 10, 2021 (Jamul) - The results are in in the professionally judged Wine Competition, May 22-23 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds for the annual Toast of the Coast Wine Competition. Deerhorn Valley Vineyards of Jamul, recently was awarded 2 gold medals as a result. The competition awarded gold and silver medals along with the Double Gold Award, which is reserved for the finest wines deemed worthy by a three-judge panel. In addition, Director’s Awards were given to the top performing wines in each varietal or blended category as merited.

By Miriam Raftery

July 5, 2018 (Jamul) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce and Alpine-Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce held a joint mixer beneath shady oaks at a new outdoor event venue at D&S Farms, home to Granite Lions Cellars in Jamul.

By Gary Gorton, St. Pius X Wine Tasting Festival Committee

Photos, left and below right: Vineyards and tasting room at Granite Lion Cellars in Jamul

May 23, 2018 (Jamul) -- Jamul has always been identified as a wine rich region. Grapes and wine were introduced to California in San Diego at the site of the Mission de Alcala, the first of the California Missions by Father Junipero Sierra who established the first vineyard on the Mission Valley Property back in 1769. The first wine for sacramental use was made by the monks in 1774.

How appropriate, then, that it is St. Pius X in Jamul hosting the third-annual wine-tasting festival this year. The date is June 30, 2018 from 5:30pm to 9:00 pm. The festival will be sponsored by the Wineries on Highway 94 and is being hosted at Jamal’s own D&S Farms, home of Granite Lion Cellars.

By Miriam Raftery

January 2, 2018 (San Diego) – A report just released by the San Diego Vintners Association on the economic value of wineries in San Diego County shows that the burgeoning wine making industry is having a potent effect. In 2016, the county’s 116 wineries generated a $30.4 million regional impact and supported 697 jobs here.

East County News Service

August 28, 2017 (San Diego) -- Kiwanians in East County are hitting the trail come September – at least the trails at Mission Trails Regional Park.

Members of the Kiwanis Clubs of Lake Murray, La Mesa and Fletcher Hills are combining their efforts to raise funds for their youth scholarships and community sponsorships by presenting “Twilight Tasting at the Trails” from 6 pm to 9 pm on Saturday, September 9.

Source: Ramona Valley Vineyard Association press release

November 16, 2016 (Ramona) - Participating wineries from the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA) will be holding a Holiday Wine Trail in the heart of San Diego Wine Country on Saturday and Sunday, December 10 and 11, from noon until 5:00 p.m.

Wine Awareness Month

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna October 1,  2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- To date, some of this year’s most destructive fires were dangerously close to the Napa, Paso and Santa Barbara Wine Regions. Our hearts go out to the victims of these dangerous wildfires. Ask any Firefighter - they take any loss personally. Sometimes were just outnumbered, many times mother nature and the fires fury is too much. Especially with these drought conditions.

By Donn Rutkoff

"Man About Wine"

July 19, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- Hello to all wine lovers in the East County and all wine lovers anywhere who are reading East County Magazine.  This is my first column and we hope there will be many more.  I will be bringing you news of what is happening here in the county, news of interest to the local growers and fermenters, and some educational "fluff" to help you enjoy wines.

Here is a preview of this week's wine-worthy topics.  (Hit "read more" and scroll down for the full stories.) 

• Sparkling wines in an hour?
• Warm-weather red grapes
• New tasting rooms - thanks to rezoning underway
• Wine columnist shares his roots

February 10, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--The worst drought in California history is hitting farmers hard—and soon, consumers may be paying higher prices as a result.

By Miriam Raftery

June 26, 2013 (La Mesa) – “Isn’t this amazing?” Linda McWilliams, winemaker at San Pasqual Winery, exclaimed, standing inside the company’s new winery in a former industrial building in La Mesa. Hundreds of guests packed into the 4,500 square foot space for the winery’s grand opening celebration last weekend, savoring the fruits of McWilliams’ labors.

Those labors are yielding some impressive results.  At this year’s  San Diego County Fair, San Pasqual Winery picked up six awards, including a gold medal for the winery’s most popular offering, Habañera passionfruit wine.

By Miriam Raftery

November 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) --  Looking to support our local economy while choosing special holiday gifts? We’ve scoured East County to find truly unique gifts made and sold locally. What could be finer than to receive an alpaca sweater spun and woven with locally grown wool? Or a hand-stitched quilt, locally crafted jewelry  or a delectable freshly baked dessert? Perhaps your gift recipients would savor local wines grown in the Old World style, camel milk soaps scented with frankincense and myrrh, or intricately hand-beaded  pottery.

Search no more! You’ll find all of these delightful items and more in our “Gifts from the East: 2012 Holiday Shopping Guide” below:

 
 
 
By Matt Kopjak
 
August 17, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--Ernest Hemingway wrote:  “Wine… offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.”