The Ramona Art & Wine Festival celebrates its 11th annual Festival with over 50 artists and vendors, several local musicians, gourmet chefs and over a dozen area wineries, cideries and breweries — a record number for the festival — that will be held at Begent Ranch, 18528 Highland Valley Road, Ramona on Nov. 4, 2023 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The Ramona Art & Wine Festival spotlights the area’s fine art, wine, specialty items, gourmet caterers, and area musicians at the scenic Begent Ranch for visitors to appreciate and shop. Guests can taste wine, hand-crafted beer, and cider, enjoy gourmet food bites, and shop for fine art and specialty items while listening to live music. They can also bid at a live auction to win one of the unique artist-painted garden chairs and planters and/or the 11th Art and Wine Festival original painting by artist Jennifer Crenshaw. Everyone can bid on silent auction baskets filled with contributions from participating artists, vendors, and wineries. All guests will receive a Ramona Art & Wine Festival reusable swag bag with a program for the day along, with contributions by Festival sponsors. Purchase Festival passports here
Things To Do In Ramona
From late summer to early fall, DPR conservatively opens a 6-mile out-and-back trail in a secluded part of the Ramona Grasslands, named the Old Survey Road 97 Trail.
Old Survey Road 97 Trail* is open Saturdays and Sundays between Aug. 15 to Nov. 15, from 8 a.m. until sunset – and only to visitors who’ve completed a quick tutorial and secured their temporary permit.
Golden eagles have been seen foraging in the area, and it’s for their protection that we keep it closed during nesting season.
In fact, more than a hundred bird species have been documented on site – but it’s not all about the birds. There are also 23 butterfly species, 21 reptile species, six types of amphibians and 37 mammals. This rich habitat also supports 40 threatened or endangered animals and 16 protected plants.
Access to the preserve is limited to 50 permit holders per day, and there are rules that come with the priviledge to visit this unique area, for example:
- No motorized vehicles or ebikes
- No dogs
- No approaching, touching or taking the wildlife, rocks or artifacts
Visitors are also asked to stay on the trails – for their safety and for the safety of the wildlife and natural resources on site – and to leave no trace – packing out whatever they bring in.
Rangers patrol the area regularly and any visitors who are seen violating these rules will be asked to leave and will lose access to the trail for the rest of the season.
*What’s in a name? Old Survey Road 97 was historically significant between 1825 and 1930, connecting travelers from San Diego’s backcountry to San Pasqual and Santa Maria Valley. It was used to transport mail, settlers, goldminers, soldiers on their way to the Battle of San Pasqual and more – and is said to be the first dedicated County road.
The Ramona Chamber of Commerce presents exciting events for everyone in October, including:
• The Ramona Motorcycle Rally on Sat.-Sun, Oct. 7-8, featuring a Motorcycle Race Exhibition, Motorcycle Rodeo, live bands, vendors, food, games and more!
• “Merchants Safe Trick-or-Treat” where Main Street businesses open their doors to hand out candy and other goodies to participating children. Dress up with your children, family, and friends for this most spook-tacular Halloween event! Be sure to visit participating businesses on Main Street as they hand out candy and goodies from 4-6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31! Check out other Ramona Chamber events here
Sip and savor boutique wines from Vineyard Grant James Winery, a premier wine-tasting destination in Ramona. The vineyard boasts an impressive stone veranda offering sweeping views of the property’s nine acres. Vineyard Grant James is perfectly situated for cultivating syrah, merlot, sangiovese, orange muscat, greco, refosco, and nebbiolo grapes, which are then mixed into smooth varietal blend wines. Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri.-Sun. Memberships available. vineyardgrantjames.com
Vineyard Grant James Winery
25260 East Old Julian Highway (760) 789-2733
Ramona Valley Wineries | Things To Do In Ramona
Sample wines cultivated from the beautiful vineyards of Ramona at Ramona Ranch Vineyard and Winery located in the heart of the Ramona Valley AVA. Award-winning reds, whites and rosés are served on the lovely tasting terrace, often along with artisan cheese and olive samples. Owners Micole Moore and Teri Kerns practice sustainable farming and provide a family-friendly atmosphere with horses, goats, chickens, and a steer on their ranch, in addition to their grape vines. They invite you to bring your dogs or plan a picnic, while enjoying an afternoon of wine, warm hospitality and amazing views. Open from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. every Friday-Sunday. ramonaranch.net
Ramona Ranch Vineyard and Winery
23578 Highway 78 (760) 789-1622
Ramona Valley Wineries | Things To Do In Ramona
Enjoy listening to vintners describe the flavors of house varietals at Poppaea Winery, which opened its doors in September 2015. The boutique winery—named after the Roman empress Poppaea Sabina—has an inviting tasting room, a preparation area, a laboratory and barrel room. Informative tours are offered during the open hours of the tasting room—noon-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays —when visitors learn about the winemaking process from harvest to the bottled product. The tasting room boasts breathtaking views toward Mount Woodson and the Pacific. Relax outside on either of two patios or a nearby part of the vineyard. Visitors may also explore the winery on weekdays by appointment by calling (858) 357-1741. poppaea-vineyard.com
Poppaea Winery
25643 East Old Julian Highway (858) 357-1741
Ramona Valley Wineries | Things To Do In Ramona