California wine region
San Diego County Wineries and Tasting Rooms
Small wineries in the county where California's first wine grapes were planted, from Escondido and the Ramona Valley up to gold-rush Julian.
85+ places in Cruv · 40+ upcoming events
At a glance
- Places in Cruv
- 85+
- Upcoming events
- 40+
- Known for
- Syrah
- Petite Sirah
- Sangiovese
- Viognier
- Nearest city
- In San Diego; Ramona Valley about 35 miles northeast
Areas in San Diego County
Ramona Valley
Wineries sit close together in this AVA, recognized in 2005, so it suits a full day. You may meet the owners and winemakers as you taste.
25+ places in Cruv
San Pasqual Valley and Escondido
Recognized in 1981, San Pasqual Valley is among the country's oldest AVAs, with vineyards near Escondido. The city adds urban tasting rooms, so you can mix vineyard and town stops.
25+ places in Cruv
San Luis Rey and North County
Cool Pacific air keeps days milder here than farther inland. The area's low, rolling hills, from near Oceanside to the Fallbrook area, were recognized as the San Luis Rey AVA in 2024.
15+ places in Cruv
South County
The city of San Diego has urban wineries and tasting rooms, so you can taste without leaving town.
15+ places in Cruv
Julian and the backcountry
In the Cuyamaca Mountains, roughly an hour's drive east of San Diego, the historic gold-rush town of Julian has tasting rooms close by.
5 places in Cruv
Know before you go
- Reservations
- Wineries here tend to be small and boutique, so check each one's booking policy before you drive out.
- Tasting fees
- Ask each winery about its tasting fee when you plan your day.
- Getting there
- From San Diego, the Ramona Valley is about 35 miles northeast and Julian roughly an hour's drive east.
- Best time to visit
- A Mediterranean climate brings hot days, cool evenings and sea breezes most of the year, so plan inland tastings for the morning. Julian, in the mountains, has four distinct seasons.
- Getting around
- Wineries range from the city and the North County hills to the mountains around Julian, so choose one area per outing, with a designated driver, a rideshare or a tour.
Wineries host live music, and the Ramona Valley holds seasonal wine events through the year.
San Diego County on the map
Nearby wine regions
Temecula Valley
Southern California wine country within 25 miles of the coast, where sea breezes cool vineyards of Syrah, Grenache and Chardonnay.
50+ places in Cruv · 75+ upcoming events
Los Angeles Area
Wine tasting without leaving Los Angeles County: tasting rooms in the city, mountain vineyards above Malibu and high-desert vines in the Antelope Valley.
20+ places in Cruv · 10+ upcoming events