Bringing the best of wineries, and specialties from cheeses, infused olive oils and local meat demonstrated that you do not have to leave San Diego County to find the best of the best, and East County has served up the best with its growing line of fine wines and boutique specialties.
Bringing the best of wineries, and specialties from cheeses, infused olive oils and local meat demonstrated that you do not have to leave San Diego County to find the best of the best, and East County has served up the best with its growing line of fine wines and boutique specialties. Presented by the East County Chamber of Commerce, along with the San Diego Vintners Association, A Toast to East County’s inaugural gathering at the Cottonwood Golf Club was a complete success and drew in a large crowd to sample the unique collection from nine local wineries, along with complementary products and food, creating a fun and engaging atmosphere for the wine connoisseur and those wanting to learn more in how to wine and dine.
Participating in the afternoon event on Nov. 8, features wines from Deerhorn Valley Vineyards, Dulzura Vineyard & Winery, Granite Lion Cellars, Maness Vineyards & Casi Cielo Farm, Pearson Brothers Winery, Ramona Ranch Winery, Rock Canyon Winery, Vineyard Grand James and San Pasqual Winery.
With tastings available from white to red, and everything in between, the event was delectable, entertaining and productive, something that the East County Chamber does extremely well.
Eric Lund, ECCOC said the event was meant to showcase all of the great agricultural businesses in East County including wineries, olive, honey, cheese and meet producers along with a few of the regions restaurants and local breweries.
“I think the key to a lot of the success that we are seeing now is due to the work of the County Board of Supervisors’ easing of the zoning requirements so you don’t have to have a major use permit to open up a winery. Even with horses and other things particular to East County it makes it easier. This is blossoming these small family businesses in East County. We have over 100 wineries in San Diego County now, which is more than Temecula has. It is really catching on here and people are beginning to take notice.”
Greg Maness, owner and CEO of Maness Vineyards & Casi Cielo Farm said its licensure is completed and is opening its tasting room in Jamul in June 2016. Maness said the business began as wine growing and production consultants, being more on the agricultural side of the business, meanwhile making its own wine and for VIP clients.
“We’ve been wine makers for eight years, and members of the San Diego County Vineyards Association,” he said.
Micole Moore, vice-president/COO and winemaker for Ramona Ranch Vineyard and Winery said it creates about 20 different whites, rosés and red wines. Along with his wife Teri, they have also partnered with her sister’s Big Schott Ranch and offer Adventures on Horseback, taking rides from the beach to the back country trails and ending with a tasting of its large selection of wines. Micole (Mike) Moore is President of the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association, home to 30 licensed bonded wineries, most of which are open on the weekends now.
Linda McWilliams, co-owner and winemaker of La Mesa’s San Pasqual Winery and is the president of the San Diego County Vineyards Association. McWilliams said she was representing along with her wines, some wines that came in from some of the day’s honorees, who were the groundbreakers and foundation for the new growth of wineries in San Diego County. These honorees were presented this year’s Trail Blazer Awards presented by the San Diego County Vintners. This year’s Trail Blazers included Pete Anderson, with 18 years of win growing experience and provides consultation for up and coming vineyards. Bill Schwietzer, one of Ramona’s first vineyard growers began inspiring families to grow vineyards decades ago. He helped in developing the Boutique Winery ordinance and is one of the founders of the Ramona AVA American Viticulture Area.
Trail Blazer Lum Eisenman is author of “The Wine Makers Manual,” and educator and gold medal wine maker whose inspiration and advocating of the wine industry spreads well beyond California. Eisenman was touched by his acknowledgement and said that he only did what he loves to do.
San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob was on site and said she was elated to see some of the results of the Boutique Winery ordinance, which is now in its second stage of amending for potential of great growth in the agricultural industries in San Diego County. She said the help of these pioneers is essential in making the path for family agricultural businesses to grow and flourish in the county. When it comes to the wine, Jacobs said she wants to “take the ‘T’ (Temecula) out of San Diego County.”
