RAMONA’S HOLIDAY WINE TRAIL CONTINUES NEXT TWO WEEKENDS

By Miriam Raftery

December 6, 2018 (Ramona) – Savor the season along the Holiday Wine Trail in Ramona, which this year features 18 different wineries.

The event continues the next two Saturdays and Sundays, December 8-9 and 15-16.   Some wineries are offering “extras” including live music, arts and crafts for sale, spiced mulled wine and even an appearance by Santa –in a wine cave!

I hit the trail last weekend, stopping by several locations along the tour, each offering a unique and special experience.

We started with Schwaesdall Winery, which has the oldest vines in Ramona and some satisfying vintages as well as options to savor a glass of port or mulled wine. Johnny and Shirley Schwaesdall are the gracious host and hostess, Johnny sporting a Santa hat.

We picked up our souvenir glasses at Reds, Whites, and Blues, a delightful bar in Ramona’s oldest commercial building, serving up local brews as well as wines. Just watch for the patriotic bunting along Main Street, and check out the historic murals on the building's side. They make a delicious, fruity sangria among other libations.

From there we headed to Lenora Winery, which has a tasting room in a house with covered veranda-style porch. Our favorite discovery was a Golden Angelica Chardonnay, a dessert-like wine with a rich, butterscotch flavor. We took home a bottle for ourselves, and a gift for a family member.

As the sun set over the horizon, we cuddled up around a cozy fire pit on the patio at Vineyard Grant James, enjoyed a hot mulled wine, chocolates and spiced nuts, also making some new friends. The winery also had live music, along with jewelry and other gift items for sale by local artisans.

Sevreal local restaurants also offer discounts for Holiday Wine Tour participants, if you wish to enjoy dinner in Ramona before heading home after enjoying the Holiday Wine Trail stops.

Get tickets and a full schedule at : http://www.ramonavalleyvineyards.com/hwt/

Participating Wineries:

Beach House Winery

Correcaminos Vineyard

Castelli Family Vineyards

Crystal Hill Vineyard

Hatfield Creek Vineyards & Winery

La Finquita Winery & Vineyard

Lenora Winery

Milagro Winery

Mahogany Mountain Vineyard and Winery

Pamo Valley Winery Tasting Room

Poppaea Vineyard

Principe di Tricase Winery

Ramona Ranch Winery

Schwaesdall Winery

Speckle Rock Vineyards

Turtle Rock Ridge Vineyard Winery

Vineyard Grant James

Woof'n Rose Winery