Ramona Valley Vineyard Association

Discover award-winning reds, whites and rosés produced in Ramona Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) and Highland Valley, home to 45-plus wineries nestled in the heart of San Diego County. A short drive from Interstate 15 and just east of Poway and Escondido, the region is fast becoming the go-to wine-tasting experience. All wineries are family-owned, cultivating grapes and bottling estate-grown varietals right on the premises. Enjoy the chance to meet the owners and winemakers, and take in sweeping vistas and warm sunshine, while sipping on personal favorites alongside new releases.

Garnering Gold, Double Gold and Best of Show medals throughout the United States, and measured against the best wines from around the world, both Ramona and Highland Valley wineries continue to be recognized as masters of the craft. Regionally, the RVVA Wine Competition, held each June, hands out awards for red, white, rosé, sparkling and dessert wines made from grapes grown in San Diego County. The contest, (previously the Lum Eisenman/San Diego County Wine Competition) was created to give individual winemakers feedback on their techniques and results and to improve winemaking throughout the area. It is the only wine competition for San Diego County-grown wine-grapes.

The high quality of Ramona wines stems not only from passionate winemakers, but from Ramona’s terroir, such as fertile soils, a Mediterranean climate, and sun and altitude, all of which are maximized to produce healthy, and delicious grapes. This natural advantage defines RVVA’s motto: “From Great Vines Come Great Wines.” Growers and winemakers then work together to pick every grape at the height of its ripeness and maturity, to ultimately produce sensational wine.

Visitors to Ramona and Highland Valley can expect to find no shortage of fantastic varietals, including Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Merlot, Tempranillo, Albarino, Viognier, Syrah, Grenache, Sauvignon Blanc, and many more. They are matched only by the communities’ beautiful backcountry, set amid rolling hills and sunset views. Many wineries are within a few minutes’ drive from one another and feature beautiful tasting rooms open Friday-Sunday or Saturday-Sunday (check individual wineries for their schedule). Guests can enjoy wine by the glass, flight or bottle, and add to the experience with various vineyard tours, barrel tastings, gourmet lunches, farm-to-table dinners and other unique offerings.

In summer and fall 2023, savor the RVVA’s Summer of Rosé — perfect for warmer days; Cheers to the Valley on July 27, showcasing the area’s top vintages; RVVA wineries pouring at the Grape Day Festival in Escondido in September; the RVVA at the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival in October; the Ramona Art & Wine Festival, an annual gathering each November featuring unlimited tastings from Ramona wineries, local art, gourmet fare and live music; and the region’s winter Ramona Holiday Wine Trail, inviting wine lovers to celebrate the season with special tastings over three weekends in December. In spring, don’t miss the Meet the Winemakers Weekend event held in April, a major draw for both locals and out-of-towners featuring exclusive, behind-the-scenes winery visits, seminars and a dinner.

The RVVA welcomes everyone to its unique Ramona Valley destinations to enjoy wine, food and hospitality. To learn more about these enchanting venues and plan a visit, email info@rvva.org or explore rvva.org.