WINERIES ON HIGHWAY 94 WEBSITE NOW UP: TOURS TO LAUNCH SOON

By Miriam Raftery

August 24, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – The newest growing wine region in our area is along historic Highway 94. A website has been set up at http://www.thewineriesonhighway94.com/ by growers and wine producers bringing their vision of a wine-region in the southeast county to fruition.

The website states, “We are now demonstrating that the high quality fruit produced by these vines can in fact become world class wines. Now this vision is a reality  as several of the wines vinted here have recently been not only recognized but have received awards in international competition.” 

The site launched in 2014 and currently has four vineyards: Campo Creek Vineyards, Dulzura Vineyards & Winery,  Deerhorn Valley Vineyards and Granite Lion Cellars.

More are slated to join the effort soon including Maness Vineyards. Owner Greg Maness announced in the Maness newsletter that in summer 2016 Maness willlaunch the opening of its own Boutique Winery and Tasting Room Tours in Jamul.

Casi Cielo (“Almost Heaven”)  "Heavenly" Wines will feature hand crafted batches of estate grown red, white and orchard fruit wines. 

Maness states, “A section of the historical Adobe Estate that has been growing grapes and making home made wines since the early 80's will be transformed into a unique wine tasting room area with inside and outside seating amongst the vineyards with elevated decking, allowing patrons to view our amazing mountain top heavenly views of Jamul. A separate wine production facility and underground wine barrel room is part of the tour and our unique gift store will offer vineyard lover knick-knacks, original oil paintings by the Artist Grego” and other items.

The name Casi Cielo meaning "almost heaven" was penned by Paul and Marie Vesco in the early 1970's when their hilltop Adobe Estate was built located next to a pristine 6000 acre nature preserve in the rolling hillsides of greater Jamul. Greg and Paula Maness of Maness Vineyards purchased the legendary wine growing estate in 2006 and have restored the once famous private winery to continue the long standing tradition of wine making started decades ago.

“Future guests will surely love the informative tours with access to transportation buses for small groups who wish to visit us and several other tasting room facilities on the same day,” says Maness.