Did you know that San Diego, California wineries are the original real deal booze in the valley? Everybody talks about Napa Valley being the first but that’s just not true! It all began in sunny San Diego with those horrible jug wines, which now have a private label for some of their fancier brands. That was just one of the interesting facts we discovered on our San Diego Beer, Wine & Spirits Tour with total chill Californian tour guide Diana. Another tasty morsel of information is that California produces 90 percent of the wine for the United States which is mind boggling! To be immersed in wine is a wonderful thing and on this trip, there was plenty of time to soak it all in.
We chose the Chauffeured Vineyard Adventure as it sounded relaxing, had delicious food pairings and offered a leisurely pace which we were craving. It also didn’t hurt that the vehicle was a Mercedes Benz van with ice cold air conditioning and a plethora of water bottles to boot! Diana picked us up promptly in North Park at our designated time of 10:45 a.m. which they delegate to you the morning of your tour (usually by 9:30 a.m., you know via text message). We then went about picking up all the other passengers from various hotels in the area – all young, hard working professionals from various parts of the U.S., Toronto, Canada and the cutest couple from Columbia. By the time we actually hit the road to wine town, it was probably about noon (with one speedy bathroom break for me at the San Diego Hilton).
So when we rolled into San Diego’s oldest winery, Bernardo Winery, we were all ready to get our palates whet! Established in 1889 and family owned and operated since 1927 by the Rizzo family, is the oldest family owned and operated winery in Southern California. And they might not have WiFi on the premises but they have a whole wine town with adorable little shops where you can get most anything – microblading, haircut and color, olive oil, a restaurant, chocolate – all with a glass in your hand. Is this what heaven looks like? We think it may!
We all immediately fall in love with the old, antique wine town at Bernardo Winery.Looking up to where we drove in at Bernardo Winery.Grapes grow all over this little wine town at Bernardo Winery.Bernardo Winery proudly displays some of the equipment once used to make wine.You thought I was kidding, there is a whole village inside Bernardo Winery.
You can walk down to the wine tasting village at Bernardo Winery with this video below as well.
And so our tasting began at Bernardo Winery with a list and a little wine card punch.Everybody went for the bubbles for the first pour at Bernardo Winery, smooth and dry and so very close to real champagne.Then the group shuffled over to the tiny little chocolate shop to pair a piece with their wine tasting, rinse and repeat at Bernardo Winery.This was a lovely way to experience chocolate pairing wine tasting at Bernardo Winery.Soon it was time to have some meat and cheese pairings with our wine tasting at Bernardo Winery and what a lovely spread it was.A very spicy, meaty plate with plenty to go around, it was a lovely little lunch snack at Bernardo Winery with plenty of leftovers.Soon everyone was running around this little wine town taking photos, some were slow dancing and others shopping while sipping at Bernardo Winery.Some of the cute purses available for sale at Bernardo Winery.There was a full art studio at Bernardo Winery where you can take classes with your wine glass in hand.Or perhaps some boozy bead making is more up your alley at Bernardo Winery.Also spotted was mosaic making classes at Bernardo Winery.You can also get your artwork framed at Bernardo Winery.Custom framing exists as well at Bernardo Winery.
And just like that, an hour and a half has flown by and it was time to go to the next winery, Hungry Hawk Vineyards! Once all loaded in the van, each winery was not more than 20-30 minutes from each other and it was a nice cool off session in between stops. It gets sizzling hot in the summer but I bet in the fall and winter, it’s sweater season.
Hungry Hawk Vineyards was next up and with some immediately beautiful views!Our wonderful tour guide Diana running away from my camera at Hungry Hawk Vineyards.Solar power panels spotted at Hungry Hawk Vineyards and so smart with almost year round constant sunshine.Taking in all the views at Hungry Hawk Vineyards with those rows of grapes in netting bondage for the season as they are all ripe and tempting to the birds.Any way you looked, it was beautiful at Hungry Hawk Vineyards.Even the view out to the parking lot wasn’t too shabby at Hungry Hawk Vineyards/Care to sit a spell right outside the front doors at Hungry Hawk Vineyards?After we had our first pour (not sure what was what as it was a pre-arranged tasting 5 for $12, we didn’t get to chose), we went into the ice box with the barrels of wine at Hungry Hawk Vineyards.To the right was a lovely sight in the cool air at Hungry Hawk Vineyards.
I ventured out of the wine tour as I was drawn to these views at Hungry Hawk Vineyards and glad I did so as I got some amazing shots I put up on Instagram which the whole community already shared!
I soon returned to the group tour with a little help from an employee at Hungry Hawk Vineyards.A view from the back patio at Hungry Hawk Vineyards.Inside the tasting room at Hungry Hawk Vineyards.Some of the award winning wines at Hungry Hawk Vineyards all lined up.Our sweet Mercedes Benz ride by San Diego Beer Wine & Spirits tour looking fly at Hungry Hawk Vineyards signaled the last leg of our wine tour. Three seems to be the magic number for any relaxed wine tasting tour!
The third stop on our winery tour was Cordiano Winery, nestled in the hills of North County’s Highland Valley. According to Frank (aka Francesco) Cordiano, his parents still live in the house on the grounds that began it all and pop out occasionally. They settled here because it reminded them of Tuscany, Italy. Frank came from New York City so he knows a thing or 20 about pizza pie and brought it to Escondido, CA. If you want the real deal pizza pie on the West Coast with delicious wines of all colors, this is your place. Linger for the sunset views and you many never want to leave!
Last but certainly not least was Cordiano Winery.Breathtaking views in every single direction at Cordiano Winery.The perfect spot in the valley at Cordiano Winery.Tons of space, land and area to roam and explore at Cordiano Winery.
Perhaps better viewed in our YouTube video, the majestic Cordiano Winery in Escondido, CA.
But first, you have to have a drink in your hand at Cordiano Winery.Frank is now the man to talk to at Cordiano Winery and was very helpful, generous and kind – with that NYC edge and humor that lingers.Frank makes sure we are well taken care of – and watered… or wined – at Cordiano Winery the trinity was one of our faves as well.These breadsticks were such a hit they may have caused a carb loving fight at Cordiano Winery.They don’t mess around with meat pie at Cordiano Winery.And the mozzarella margherita pizza pie was delightfully light at Cordiano Winery.What is better than pizza and these views? A glass of wine in your other hand at Cordiano Winery!Perhaps one of my favorite wines was the snow white much like an ice wine and even the Canadians loved this dessert wine at Cordiano Winery.Notice how the colors change in the landscape as we get later in the day at Cordiano Winery.If only we could fly over these mountains somehow at Cordiano Winery.Squeezing in the last views before we say adieu to Cordiano Winery.This is where it all began at Cordiano Winery with two Italians and a dream!We can see why the wine label is a heart symbolizing love at Cordiano Winery.
Once we were all boarded and heading back to our homes (we were the first ones dropped off this time like luggage first on, first off), we were both so relaxed it was nap time before more adventures that evening in North Park area of San Diego, CA. Most of these places my mom would love as well so perhaps we will be back sooner than later! We even got a good hug from Diana when we parted ways, which might be California style but also Cassie style. Next time we think we might hit up their California’s Pacific Coast train tour to get those ocean views or maybe the Wine & Food walking tour too. Let someone else do the thinking and planning for you, it’s lovely. This is certainly a top notch tour company run by fellow entrepreneurs. Keep up the great work gang!
