Awesome activities and wine! Went with a squad of 15 friends. They had massive tables that easily…read moreaccommodated all of us. The guys enjoyed playing corn hole while we drank, chatted, and took pictures. Clean bathrooms and great views. Service was okay. Was fortunate to go with members and really enjoyed their white wine.

I've come here a couple times with my family, and it had always been a pleasant experience up to…read morethe most recent one. Views here are breathtaking, and the wine is wonderful as ever. I got here at 7:15 pm with the intention of leaving at 8:00 pm as I understand that's their closing time. Server told us they closed at 8pm, but patrons could stay up to 8:30pm. She stated she doesn't understand why "sunset is advertised online" when they are closed during summer sunset time. She seemed a bit annoyed at us, which I understood as closing time was happening soon. We left before other patrons did, prior to 8:30pm. I had no issue with that, my issue was with the way she spoke to my partner. As we were closing out she said we could not get a new glass, but could get topped off. My boyfriend asked if she could top off his glass, and she said something along the lines of "look at you using a new vocab word, you were paying attention to what I said". I'm not one who gets offended easily, but that comment came across as patronizing to me. Perhaps that wasn't her intention, but it was how it was perceived. Such a shame. I'd love to continue coming back, I just hope future interactions are more welcoming.

This place is definitely a hidden gem tucked away in San Marcos. The grounds are so beautiful with…read morea gorgeous view, it feels like you have transported to Temecula. The wine itself is great! They have a HEAVY pour which I appreciate. I like their sweet rose, which is definitely very sweet. You can also buy bottles for a pretty affordable price. They let you bring your own food which is nice too. The staff is very polite and friendly. Great ambiance with live music sometimes. A great place to gather with friends! My only wish is that they stayed open past 7pm in the summer so you can stay for the sunset. I went on Sunday though, so maybe on Fri/Sat they are open later.

We came here for the first time last week on my birthday. The drive way to get up to the winery is…read morea little steep, so be mindful. There are two parking lots that we saw, one closer to the bottom which was gravel but would require a walk up two flights of stairs, or there's a lot closer to the tasting room (paved) but is more limited. We were able to snag a spot up at the top luckily. They have a two sample limit & then you can buy drinks by the bottle or glass. The day we went they were having a 25% off bottle sale. There was only one employee we saw during the entirety of our visit but he was super friendly. We ordered a bottle, the charcuterie platter and a pizza. The charcuterie board is refrigerated and they provide a bag of crackers as well. We went with the veggie pizza & it took maybe 20 minutes to come out and was absolutely delicious. The grounds themselves are absolutely gorgeous. There are 3 covered areas to sit at up top with plenty of seating. Down the first flight of stairs has a fish pond and some beautiful areas to walk around. I'm not sure if that area was where they do weddings as there was also a spot across the way with a dais, but we didn't make it over there. The wine was delicious! We tried two of the whites and the sweet rosé. I'm not normally a rosé fan, but it was my favorite wine I had there. Overall we had a really relaxing time with beautiful views. I highly recommend checking out Sunshine Mountain Vineyard.

Nice winery with beautiful views. Walking in, we stood in…read moreline to be helped at the main bar/counter to order our wine and flights. Being our first time here, we did feel pressure that we needed to know what we wanted before it was our turn. Luckily, Brooke helped us and she was very friendly and helpful. We chose a mixed flight as well as a frozen sangria and frozen pinot (grigio?). We loved the wines what Brooke recommended and the frozen ones were seriously the best and perfect for the hot weather. Though there were some indoor seating, we opted for outdoor. There were plenty of seating outdoors. We sat under a vine covered pergola and enjoyed the mountain views. There were even a couple of vendors selling various items and a food truck (Almafi Cucina Italiana) on the premises. Inside, other beverages like soda, Gatorade, water, meats & cheese packs were available for purchase. It was a good visit and we'll definitely be back.

Beautiful Winery -- Just Wish We'd Had a Better Welcome…read more I really wish I could give Orfila Vineyards & Winery five stars because once we got settled, we absolutely loved the atmosphere. Unfortunately, our first impression wasn't the best. When we arrived, we weren't given even a brief explanation of how the tastings worked or what our options were. The young woman basically told us to pick a flight and asked what we wanted to do. I was interested in creating my own flight and asked what the difference was between the options, but instead of explaining it, she seemed to brush off the question. I finally had to say, "You're not helping me at all." When people are visiting a winery, especially for the first time, a simple 30-second explanation of the tasting options would make such a difference. We also had no idea there was a food truck around the corner attached to the winery serving fantastic food! Because no one mentioned it, we ended up purchasing the prepackaged charcuterie instead. We discovered the food truck afterward and really wished we had known about it. That being said, the rest of our visit was wonderful. There was great live music, the atmosphere was relaxed and enjoyable, and sitting outside overlooking the vineyard was absolutely beautiful. It's exactly the kind of setting you want when spending an afternoon at a winery. Orfila has so much going for it. With a warmer, more informative welcome for first-time visitors, this easily could have been a five-star experience.

A friend was having a gathering here recently and invited us to join. I have been hearing about…read moreForgotten Barrel for a few years now, but I assumed it was pretty far out there in Escondido. I was wrong. It's not far off the 15 freeway in a small unassuming neighborhood. If you didn't know it was there you would never discover it. We arrived and took the last spot in the front parking lot. There is another parking lot, it seems like there's plenty of parking around. We found our party in a courtyard next to the tasting room. There was plenty of seating and tables for everyone, and it was sectioned off from the rest (if you need a private area). We went in the tasting room and tasted several wines before deciding. The staff were friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about their wines. After we got our wine, we decided to walk the property. It's a very quaint, unique piece of property with old buildings and new ones made to look old (bathrooms). You can walk through the vineyards and there are various areas where you could have parties. There is a barn, which is beautifully decorated and lit inside. It would be perfect for a wedding reception or any other type of party. There are several areas where you could put multiple groups of people or use the whole facility for a giant party. When we were there, there was live music. The band was really good and we enjoyed sitting under the umbrellas and trees while listening. There was also a pizza food truck whilst we were there. I ordered a pepperoni pizza and they delivered it to where we were sitting. I shared it and we all enjoyed a slice. I can't believe I didn't know this existed here before, but I'm so glad to have discovered it. I will definitely come back and bring friends. It's just the perfect little spot to spend some time. Maybe listen to some music, eat some food and drink some wine.

I just got back from an afternoon at the Forgotten Barrel Winery. What an amazing time we had. No…read moreonly so they have a wide choice of wines to choose from, by the glass and by the bottle, but the prices are reasonable. They also offer tasting menus, so you get healthy pours of different wines to try. They also offer some premade food for sale, charcuteries, hummus, crackers, cheeses. Plus there's a food truck that sells amazing burgers starting at 3. While we were there, there was live music being played in the Central courtyard. Guests could sit on their provided seating under a large shaded tree and some had their small dogs with them on leash. Because we were a medium size group and had made a reservation, we were placed in a separate room with plenty of inside and outside covered seating. The winemaker even gave us a tour of the facilities. Showing is the process from the grapes, to the hopper and ending with the barrels where they age. It's definitely worth driving out to visit this beautiful winery in Escondido.

If you're a wine enthusiast, this place is for you. They offer a great selection of various wines…read morethat'll satisfy any palate. Walking in, we were greeted right away by Aiden and we opted to sit outdoor in their large, covered patio. It was hot but they had misters going which helped. Beth helped us and we and our friends chose a mixed flight and enjoyed each selection. We enjoyed the views and the live music. Another employee, Jeffrey, gave us a bit of history regarding the wineries and the award-winning wines. Overall, it was a great experience. The employees were so friendly. A few things to note, customers are able to bring their own food, no pets, and adults only.

Oh, what a find... Little boutique vineyard, tucked in in the outskirts of San Diego, with world…read moreclass Wines. Award winning winemaking - a variety of vines and techniques, resulting to a divine experience of flavors and smells. I had the privilege of visiting with local friends (yes, those in the know) and I am enchanted. We were greeted with grace and enthusiasm, seated at a high table with a unique vista of the vines, and welcomed while resting our eyes in the views and blue skies surrounding the winery. If you are a wine connoisseur and not know this vineyard... your great loss. I'll be back!

Friendly owner. The wine is very good and although the vineyard is small, it's a great place to…read moreorder wine and support a small business!

Love meeting the owner and getting to know his process!!…read more Very personal and great wine

Loved our visit to Espinosa Vineyards! Great wine, super friendly people, and such a relaxing spot…read moreto hang out. Definitely worth stopping by--we'll be back!

4 out of 5 for the location - the space while smaller than other wineries nearby, is beautifully…read morelandscaped and has nearly a dozen different small seating areas. You're welcome to bring your own food, and on Sundays they offer paella. 3 out of 5 for the service - the friendliness and warmth of the interaction seems to vary per customer. Tasting - 5 varieties; starts with their Albarino, then Rosado, followed by Garnacha, Vin Rouge (Bordeaux blend), and ends with their Tinto (Riga blerd). They'll give you a pour at the counter and you return for the next glass whenever you're ready. Overall a nice place to spend a short while with great company.

What a cute little winery! The outdoor space is spacious, dog-friendly, and absolutely beautiful…read morewith the castle backdrop. As for the wine, the flights were limited to just a choice of all-white or all-red. I got the red flight and was hoping for some bolder flavors, but perhaps they are better known for their whites? The ladies I was with said they really enjoyed the white wines!

We stopped by Belle Marie Winery an hour before close on a Tuesday. Located right off of Champagne…read moreBlvd. (I kid you not) in Escondido, this is one of many wineries in the area. We easily found parking in their complimentary lot. Ambiance (4.5/5): This is one of the things that make wineries great... the scenic views. While they have a tasting room inside, your best option is to sit outside on the small yet charming patio. The best part is that you'll enjoy the mountains in the background as you sip on your vino. Service (4.5/5): We ordered a bottle of wine about 10 minutes before close. One of the owners was nice enough to allow us to stay outside on the patio way past closing time. He said we could stay as long as we wanted. That's the type of service you rarely see at drinking holes these days. Food (N/A): They had various snacks to purchase and you can also add chocolates with wine flights but we were on a liquid diet. Drinks (4/5): If you're interested in doing a wine tasting, they have both a red and white option. The prices are affordable (especially by California standards) for both flights and if you'd like to purchase bottles of wine for enjoying there or to take home. I did the red flight. They serve it to you on a cutting board of sorts with a piece of paper giving you a short description of each wine. From there, we had a bottle of sauvignon blanc. I didn't take any wine home, but you can get a discount if you buy in bulk. One last thing that made Belle Marie an awesome winery is that it was one of the few open on a Tuesday in the area. A lot of them are open on the weekends only or Wednesday-Sunday or Thursday-Sunday. Belle Marie delivered on the only day we could stop by. For that, I'm grateful!

Lovely winery tucked into the hill right as you enter Highland Valley. The owner Ray was incredibly…read moresweet and took his time telling us their story. We did a tasting on their gorgeous patio and enjoyed the view. Ended up taking home a bottle to enjoy later, too! Adding this spot to our list of favorites for when we are in the area, for sure.

Highland Valley Vineyards is the kind of hidden gem you almost don't want to share but it's too…read moregood to keep quiet. This spot is where the wine, the views, and the vibe all line up perfectly. The scenery is stunning, the energy is laid-back but elevated, and the wine? Absolute knockout. We came for a tasting and left as wine club members without even hesitating. A big part of the magic is Ray, the owner. He's not just pouring wine--he's pouring his heart into every glass. You can tell he genuinely loves what he does, and it makes the whole experience feel special. Highland Valley has that sweet spot mix of intimate, welcoming, and seriously impressive. It's the kind of place that makes wine lovers geek out, while also being the perfect backdrop if you just want to sip, relax, and soak in the views. Honestly, you'll want to tell all your friends about it because that's how good it is.

I needed to get a birthday present for a friend who likes Spanish wine and the big box stores…read moreweren't cutting it for me. I was on a time crunch when I stopped in. I asked the man at the counter if he could point me in the direction of what I was looking for. He did and then some!! I found exactly what I was looking for even though I only had a vague idea, thanks to him. I love the store, it's in a little shack next to the nursery on San Marcos blvd. They are reasonably priced (often less than the big stores). They have a good variety and it's fun to wander the aisles. Plus they have fun events and ever changing flights. Sign up for their emails so you know when they're serving something you'd like to try or something you know you like. Plus the outdoor patio is very pleasant. If you sit at the bar everyone chats, it's a nice environment!

My husband and I went here today for the first time after visiting the garden/ nursery next door…read more We were greeted with a smile and offered suggestions or help for finding any certain wines in their shop. When we arrived we were the only people in the shop so we asked the employee if the wine bar area was open and if we could grab a glass of wine. He said 'of course!' We sat down, and were able to easily see the wines available and pricing. The employee introduced himself as Jim, and we soon learned he was the owner! Within a few minutes more guests arrived and filled the space. Jim knew everyone's name, even asking about pets and upcoming trips. It seemed like a real community. I quickly got to know the other local guests, and learned about their wine club! From Jim's service, the great variety of wine, overall ambiance, and laid back vibes I would recommend everyone to check this out. I'm already looking forward to coming back for the wine club events! They do also serve a small selection of cold bottled beers and snacks like chips and crackers. I did see other guests bring in their own food, so maybe that's allowed too. Thanks Jim!