wine

CHEERS TO THIS: TOAST OF THE COAST INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION WINNERS INCLUDE DEERHORN VALLEY VINEYARDS

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.


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HAWK WATCH WINERY LOSES 300 BOTTLES OF WINE IN HIGHWAY MISHAP

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

May 27, 2019 (Warner Springs) - Hawk Watch Winery has lost 25 cases of wine—300 bottles—in a freak accident near their Warner Springs Winery. The owners posted on Facebook that on May 16, while maneuvering a curve in State Route 79, packing material broke and the load slipped off, shattering the fruits of their labors.


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CHAMBER MIXER AT GRANITE LIONS CELLARS SHOWCASES NEW OUTDOOR EVENTS VENUE

 

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.


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WINE AND CHEESE PAIRINGS JUNE 20 AT CAMPO CREEK VINEYARDS

 

East County News Service

June 15, 2018 (Campo) – Campo Creek Vineyards and Cheeses from the Cave have teamed up to offer a wine and cheese pairing event on Wednesday, June 20 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Campo Creek Vineyards’ tasting room now located at 13538 Poway Road in Poway.


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THE EVOLUTION OF JAMUL AS A WINE REGION

 

 

 

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.


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CUYAMACA COLLEGE OPENS NEW VINEYARD FOR GROUNDBREAKING VITICULTURE PROGRAM

 

Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

May 18, 2018 (Rancho San Diego) - A new half-acre vineyard at Cuyamaca College that is part of a groundbreaking viticulture apprenticeship program to meet a growing demand for skilled workers in the region’s wine making industry will be officially dedicated on June 4.


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LOCAL WINE INDUSTRY PACKS A POTENT ECONOMIC PUNCH

 

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.


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WINE INDUSTRY TRAIL BLAZERS HONORED AT TOAST OF EAST COUNTY

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Greg Maness, founder of the Trail Blazer awards, receives a surprise award of his own, presented by his wife, P.J.

October 27, 2017 (El Cajon) — At this year’s Toast of East County held at the Elks Club Lodge in El Cajon, the 2017 Trail Blazer Awards were presented to three pioneers in the local wine industry:  Ric Bonnoront of Red Wagon Vineyards in Jamul, Tim Peterson of Rock Canyon Winery in Alpine, Micole Moore of Ramona Ranch Winery, and Greg Maness of Casi Cielo Winery in Jamul. 


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TWILIGHT TASTING AT THE TRAILS: THREE EAST COUNTY KIWANIS CLUBS IN BEER AND WINE TASTING FUNDRAISER SEPT. 9

 

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.


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STATE GRANT WILL FUND CUYAMACA COLLEGE VINEYARD AND GROW NEW VITICULTURE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

 

Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca College District

January 18, 2017 (El Cajon) - Cuyamaca College has secured a grant of nearly $260,000 to bolster its new viticulture apprenticeship program and cover the cost of a planned two-acre vineyard on the Rancho San Diego campus.


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HOLIDAY WINE TRAIL IN THE HEART OF SAN DIEGO WINE COUNTRY "GET YOUR MERRY ON" DEC. 10 AND 11

 

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.


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WINE TRAIL BLAZERS HONORED AT 2016 TOAST TO EAST COUNTY

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo 1:   Jane and Drum Macomber, Linda McWilliams, Dianne Jacob, Steve and Marilyn Kahle

Photo 2:  Greg Maness and Sarah Babine

November 13, 2016 (Rancho San Diego) — Visitors savored an array of local wine vintages, craft brews and foods at the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 Toast to East County.  Greg Maness of Maness Vineyards, Supervisor Dianne Jacob and Linda McWiilliams, president of the San Diego County Vintners Association, presented three “Dynamic Duo” awards in the annual Trail Blazer awards to a trio of power couples in our wine industry.

The winners were Sarah Babine and Grant Spotts from Granite Lion Cellars in, Steve and Marilyn Kahle from Woof and Rose Winery in Ramona and Drum and Jane Macomber, amateur wine makers and vineyard tour organizers.

Below are remarks from Greg and P.J. Maness on the winners. 


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CHIEF’S CORNER: SAVING SOME WINERIES—THANK YOU, FIREFIGHTERS!

 

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.


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LOCAL WINERIES WIN BIG WITH SAN DIEGO COUNTY WINES

 

Source: Ramona Valley Vineyard Association

December 17,  2015 (Ramona) – Vineyard & Winery Management’s 25th Annual Grand Harvest Awards revealed the results of this year’s competition, naming top honors for three local wineries: Ramona Ranch Winery, Altipiano Vineyard and Winery, and Lenora Winery. From a pool of nearly 1500 entries submitted from throughout the United States and as far away as New Zealand, the total number of awards included 48 Best of Class, 44 Double Gold, 183 Gold and 574 Silver medals.


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VINES AND WINES: INTRODUCING A NEW COLUMN FOR WINE LOVERS

 

 

 

 

 

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


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CHEFS FIRE UP THE IRON HORSE IN CAMPO APRIL 5

 

 

March 24, 2014 (Campo) – The Chefs de Cuisine and The Campo RR Museum are celebrating over fifty years of service to the San Diego California Vintners Alliance on April 5, from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Campo Museum, Hwy 94 & Forrest Gate Road, Campo.  Dine amidst the Museum’s historic railroad trains and artifacts.


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FOOD PRICES MAY RISE DUE TO DROUGHT

 

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.


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SMALL, LOCAL WINERIES CONCERNED ABOUT PROPOSED ZONING AMENDMENT

 

By Sharon Penny

County Contends Amendments Will Clarify Existing Ordinance; Wineries See Restrictions with Major Impacts

January 23, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--The County of San Diego held a Tiered Winery Ordinance Workshop on January 17 in an effort to discuss and solicit feedback from the public on its draft zoning ordinance amendments that will affect local wineries.

More than 100 people were in attendance, many representing a variety of boutique wineries in San Diego County.

There was a unanimous sentiment from local vintners that the proposed amendments would place burdensome restrictions on local wineries, leading to the destruction of the county’s burgeoning small business operations.


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HUNDREDS CHEER OPENING OF WINERY IN LA MESA AS WINEMAKER REAPS REWARDS

 

 

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.


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EL CAJON COUNCIL MOVES FORWARD ON ORDINANCE TO RESTRICT ALCOHOL SALES

 

By Janis Mork

February 28, 2013 (El Cajon)-At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, members voted unanimously to send a “deemed approved” ordinance to restrict single-serve alcohol sales to the Planning Commission.

City manager Doug Wlliford introduced the alcohol sales land use study session, advising Council members, “It’s a very complex issue.” A PowerPoint presentation included three speakers- Chief of Police Jim Redman, Planning Manager Manjeet Ranu, and City Attorney Morgan Foley.”


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GIFTS FROM THE EAST: 2012 HOLIDAY SHOPPING IDEAS FOR UNIQUE GIFTS MADE IN EAST COUNTY

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:


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EXPERIENCE VINTAGE ALPINE MAY 6

 

April 25, 2012 (Alpine) – Vintage Alpine, a wine experience in the country, will be held on May 6 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Summers Past Farms, 15602 Olde Hwy 80, Flinn Springs.  The event began in 1990 and is now one of the larger events of its kind in the county. The event features numerous wineries, offering tastings of 40 plus wines from a variety of appellations. In addition, many fine San Diego restaurants will provide specialty foods for sampling.

 


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“ALL ABOARD!” AT CAMPO RAILROAD MUSEUM AS THE CHEFS FIRE UP THE IRON HORSE MARCH 24

 

March 7, 2012 (Campo) -- The Chefs de Cuisine and Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo are celebrating over fifty years of service to the San Diego community, together with The San Diego County Vintners Association. This savory event will be at the Campo Railroad Museum, located at State Highway 94 and Forrest Gate Road in Campo from 12:00--5:00 p.m. on March 24.

 


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GIFTS FROM THE EAST: OUR SHOPPING GUIDE TO UNIQUE AND SPECIAL ITEMS IN EAST COUNTY

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 21, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – This holiday season, why not support our local economy by buying your gifts locally? Below are our picks to some of this year’s most unique and special offerings from San Diego’s eastern regions.


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CHOOSING THE BEST WINE FOR YOUR LABOR DAY PARTY

 

 
 
 
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.”


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VINE PLANTINGS: THE NEW BARN RAISINGS

Fruitful wine industry restores farmers’ dreams in rural East County
 

Story by Miriam Raftery

Photos by Mark and Miriam Raftery

July 22, 2011 (Spring Valley) – Friends and neighbors turned out to help plant 600 grapevine rootstocks from Napa Valley last weekend at the Vineyard Mansion in Spring Valley. Afterwards, guests savored a poolside tri-tip barbecue and sampled estate-bottled vintages in a stone-lined wine cellar. 

 

Their efforts are all part of a vision by East County vintners to establish a wine-making region along Highway 94—revitalizing the local economy with a new agricultural market to reward the fruits of their labors.


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