11 San Diego Wineries to Visit Right Now These wineries are working to put San Diego on the map. Often overlooked in favor of our more famous neighbors in Baja and Temecula, San Diego has long been considered an under-the-radar wine region. But now, thanks to an increasing number of local vintners garnering awards and accolades, San Diego’s reputation as a winemaking region to watch is slowly being established. With most vineyards not more than an hour drive from downtown, plus plenty of new urban options to choose from, there has never been a better time to explore San Diego wine country. From estate vineyards in East County to tasting rooms in hip coastal locales, raise a glass and say cheers to 11 San Diego Wineries worth sipping at this harvest season. 1 2Plank Vineyards Tasting Room Alongside varietals grown in Napa, Amador and the Central Coast, grapes from Fallbrook’s Red Mountain Vineyard also feature in the line-up at this boutique winery. Owners David Bridgeman and Jason Wimp produce a diverse selection of high quality, small batch wines, including a 2012 Port and their award winning 2010 Zinfandel – which scooped a gold medal at the San Diego Winemaker Challenge two years ago.

The Sorrento Valley tasting room is open every Thursday and Friday from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., with a six-sample pour costing $10. In a nod to the joint owners love of skiing don’t miss 2Planks signature wines: the 2009 red blend ‘Off-Piste’, and the 2012 ‘Cold Smoke’, which is a Rhone-style white blend of Grenache Blanc and Roussane.best of iron and wine book With almost a decade of winemaking experience owner Adam crushes, presses, ferments, barrels, ages and bottles all his wines just blocks from the beach. best wine served with turkeyOne of San Diego’s first urban wineries, it has garnered slew of awards since opening doors five years ago - the 2012 Sonoma Syrah and 2012 Paso Robles Cabernet just picked up two gold medals at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. wine club usa today

Enjoy wines by the glass, or a bottle with friends, during summer wine bar hours (3 p.m. to 9p.m., Friday through Sunday); or stop by the rustic-chic tasting room (Monday through Thursday, 12 p.m. - 9 p.m.) when you can sample flights of six or seven handcrafted, single-vineyard sourced wines for $10. 3 Orfila Vineyards and Winery This boutique winery is perhaps best noted for its award-winning Rhone-style wines. Owned by former Argentinian Ambassador to the United States Alejandro Orfila, winemaker Justin Mund oversees production at the scenic 70-acre estate nestled in the San Pasqual Valley. Sample six tastings of your choice ($12) in the tasting room between (10 a.m. and 6 p.m.), or jump on one of the free 25-minute tours, offered daily at noon to learn about the winemaking process. *At the Julian tasting room (open daily 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.) six pours cost just $10 per person and includes a keepsake souvenir glass. Roberto and Noelle Espinosa produce around 500 cases annually of limited edition, estate bottled Spanish-style wine at their family owned and operated vineyard.

Current varietals at this storied property –– the first grapes were planted here in 1893, while a commercial winery was built in 1936 –– include an Albariño, Grenache Blanc, Tempranillo and Rosado (a rosé of Sangiovese/Mourvedre). Bottles range from $22 (white or rosé), to $28 (red) and are only available to purchase onsite. Tour the vineyard then head to the tasting room and sample pours ($10 for five), Sundays (11 a.m. – 6 p.m.) and enjoy a BYO picnic on the covered patio while taking in gorgeous views of the San Pasqual Valley. 5 Vinavanti Urban Winery Champions of the 'San Diego grown grape', and specializing in natural wines (unfiltered, unoaked, never sulfited), the red-focused varietals at Vinavanti run the gamut from a tangy ‘12 Bar King’ Zinfandel, to the 2013 ‘Maverick’ Malbec/Petite Verdot blend. Established in San Marcos in 2007 with a fully operational winery in Sorrento Valley, Vinavanti will soon be opening doors to a charming new tasting room in the heart of Hillcrest.

Slated to be open seven days a week (11 a.m. to 11 p.m.), a 6-taste wine flight ($10) or wines by the glass ($6-$10) will be available to purchase. An onsite kitchen will serve up small plates, with wine also available on-tap to take home in Litros (the oenophile's equivalent to a growler). 6 Milagro Farm Vineyards & Winery Second-generation winemaker Jim Hart oversees all aspects of production at this picture-perfect winery in Ramona Valley. His 2014 Estate Grown Rosé of Sangiovese recently picked up a slew of medals and ‘Best In Show’ accolades at several local, regional and international competitions. With well-tended vineyards, a citrus grove, apple and olive orchards, plus an attractive old crush house there is plenty to explore. Bring a picnic basket (crackers, cheese and other snacks are also available for purchase), and while away an afternoon on the tasting room’s adjacent outdoor patio. Wines come by the glass (prices vary), or you can build a customized a flight ($2 per pour).

Take home prices range from $19 - $29. Open Friday – Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Named as "2014 Winemakers to Watch” by the San Francisco Chronicle, husband and wife team Chris Broomell and Alysha Stehly are helping raise the bar on San Diego wines. Organically farmed and naturally fermented, their current pour list includes a 2014 Rancho Guejito Rosé blend ($21), a 2012 Highland Hills Vineyard Alacalá ($28), and a 2011 Hidden Gem Vineyard Sangiovese ($26). Stop by the Escondido tasting room (Friday – Saturday 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday 12 – 5 p.m.) where you can sample five tastes for $10. Seasonal Must Try: Broomell’s ‘Tie Dye Lollipop’ – a cuvée of co-fermented Carignan and Grenache from San Diego’s oldest vineyard, McCormick Ranch. 8 Edwards Vineyards & Cellars Husband and wife team Victor and Beth Edwards produce premium Petite Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah varietals at their namesake winery in the easternmost section of Ramona Valley. With a focus on sustainable practices the wines are unfiltered and unrefined to retain as many of the full, rich flavors as naturally as possible.

Current varietals include an estate grown 2009 Syrah, mature oak-aged 2010 Syrah, and a 2011 Côtes du Ramôna (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Petite Sirah, Viognier). Prices range from $15-35 per bottle. Four pours can be sampled at the outdoor tasting patio (the $8 tasting fee is waived upon purchase of a bottle) every Saturday and Sunday between 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes a take home glass. 9 Triple B Ranches With a focus on promoting local agriculture, this small but mighty hidden gem of a winery produces some exceptionally complex Rhone, Bordeaux and Italian varietals. Nestled amidst the fields of Valley Center, the family owned and operated farm has been growing quality seasonal crops for over 60 years. Bring a picnic lunch and relax under the one hundred year old Oak trees on the outside tasting patio – must try wines include the graceful 2011 Montepulciano ($24), a full-bodied 2012 estate Viognier ($21) and the rather grand 2009 Lignon Vino Fuerte ($37). The cellar door is open Friday through Sunday (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and features a full selection of wines, seasonal fruits, vegetables and gifts.

Tastings and wine tours of the estate and winery are also available by appointment, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Opened in 2008 this small mountain winery comprises four separate single-variety vineyards producing Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Orange Muscat grapes. From fruit driven whites, to their dry rosé and full bodied reds, all Hawk Watch wines are made using hands-on, old world wine making techniques. Nestled between Julian and Temecula the tasting room (Friday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) offers picnic grounds and Adirondack chairs to relax in while enjoying scenic mountain views. The $12 fee includes a taste of six wines and a crystal logo keepsake wine glass. Take home prices range from $18–$20 for whites, and $28–$34 for reds. This rustic winery in the foothills of Volcan Mountain use grapes cultivated at the six-acre vineyard and from growers in neighboring valleys to produce around 4,000 cases of wine annually.