Went to the winery on a Friday afternoon, was presented with a very thorough explanation of their…read morewines, the grape origins and the subtleties of each wine. The tasting was seriously enjoyable. They also make their own olive oil from their olives on the property. You can really tastes it's pure, clean taste of the extra virgin olive oil. I even brought home some of their honey. I live close to Valentina's and they say that eating locally sourced honey is good for allergies. I also came home with 2 other bottles of wine that I am sure we'll enjoy. Lance, the owner was a pleasure to meet and I will definitely be sharing this place with friends. See you soon

What a jewel of a place. Honestly one of the best wine tastings i have had in a while. To begin…read morewith the dulzura creek area is a hidden treasure of 6 working and one to come wineries. They are representatives of what old California wines use to be. The kind of places where you met the owners, talked about the grapes, got to see the fields, discuss real life events, enjoy good wine. You don't get that anymore from the commercialize corporate Napa or Temecula areas. There are still some places but in general the days of enjoying those wine country areas are long gone. The wines had great character and taste. From the whites with their aromas and great senses. Easy to pair with light food or pastries or just drink at an event or picnic. The rose wine with their unique changes in palate and taste a great addition for an awesome lunch get together, an afternoon boating, or a good sunset. To the ideals reds with bold creativity. Screams of chimichurri, big pieces of beef, lamb or portobello grilled. Yet you can just sit with some and enjoy an evening with some cheese, bread and music and think "life is alright". This place is not big but you feel comfortable, you are welcome by the family as if you are a long lost cousin, the country side makes you want to stay. Next door there is a nice store with a continuous running grill and excellent tacos when you get hungry. Don't forget to try and buy their great olive oil and honey. All natural grown on location. I am hard to please to 5 stars. I can't wait to come back bring a good basket of food and just spend my afternoon thinking of nothing and enjoying everything.

We love it at DeerHorn! The wine is amazing. I never had a tasting I didn't like. The olive oil…read moreand vinegar tastings are a a pleasant experience in itself. Very casual. Pet friendly. And I love that you can bring outside food. Diane is always a pleasure to chit chat with.

I had such a great time here! I stopped by on my way back to San Diego proper after visiting the…read morelocal alpaca farm (yay feeding alpacas!), and from the moment I arrived, I felt so welcomed. Diane was an absolute joy--she had me laughing every time she came by the table! We did the wine and olive oil tasting, and while not every wine was exactly my style (wine is all about personal taste, after all), they were all well-crafted and enjoyable in their own way. The balance of fruit and acidity was spot on, and I really appreciated the lower alcohol content (most around 13.2%), which is rare for the area. Unfortunately, we missed out on trying the Pinot Noir since it had just sold out, but the newly bottled Montepulciano is going to be a perfect light summer wine! Chris also stopped by, and we ended up having such a fantastic conversation that I truly didn't want to leave. This is the kind of winery that makes you feel like an old friend from the moment you walk in, and it absolutely makes you want to return. And I definitely will! Highly recommend!

We had previously taken some family pictures here with their beautiful landscaping (small…read morewaterfall, bridge over a stream, etc) so we decided to come back and do some actual wine tasting. We took a Lyft here but it is pretty remote (near Jamul Casino, but a few miles further) and hard to get a driver out, so I don't recommend it. Having a designated driver makes the most sense. If you have to rideshare, Uber is faster than Lyft in Jamul. I thought the red wines were nice and easy to drink but I'm not a wine connoisseur. The friends we were with thought the wine overall was good but not great. The 2024 Rose of Cabernet was my favorite, despite being one of the cheaper ones. Food options were very limited. Just cheese, hummus, meats and crackers, so don't arrive here hungry. Our server was very nice and friendly. There was an older gentleman walking around who was equally friendly and helpful. But there was an older lady behind the bar area who was very upset when we moved chairs inside by one window. I still think it makes sense, but don't do it. Apparently it obstructs the huge bar area walkway. There were kids running around while we were there. But this place is not kid-friendly, so leave them at home. Overall, the wine is fine and the setting is pretty. I recommend checking it out, but I probably will not become a regular. For those who live nearby, this place is great.

This place is lovely! I loved the earth toned lobby glistening with black marble counters and gold…read moretinted hanging globe pendant chandeliers. The staff was friendly and the atmosphere was very laid back. All the wine we tasted was good, but I particularly loved the first and last wine of the sweet flight. We were here right before sunset and it was gorgeous!

We have visited most of the east county winery venues and there is no more a special place than…read moreRustic Ridge. Rusty is a magician consistently producing some of the finest wines in San Diego county. Carrie always goes out of her way to make us feel welcome and we truly appreciate the interactions with her and the staff, especially Jeff. The view cannot be matched and the vibe is country with a touch of class. We just wish they would bring back the French onion dip!

Beautiful views, great ambiance, great wine, great service. The wineries of Jamul are truly a…read morehidden gem. Recommend!

1st time coming here to celebrate a friend's birthday. It's about 45 minutes away but we'll worth…read morethe drive. Will definitely come again when it's not raining

Awesome wine, awesome vintners. Relaxing country setting. Great reds. Fairly priced for a well…read morecrafted wine

An adorable small winery located in Julian!…read more During our day trip to Julian, we stopped by Volcan Mountain Winery for a cheeky little drink. I had heard about their famed apple wine and had to check it out! We each got a glass of their 2021 Dolcezza Dulce, Estate Grown Hart Family Orchard. It's a slightly sweet apple wine produced entirely from apples from their orchard. Super crisp and light- perfect to enjoy on a sunny day!

Came here on a beautiful February Saturday and the vibes were so good. Amazing, friendly, service…read more Dog friendly, plenty of seating, and amazing views. We got a natural wine and it was so delicious, highly recommend trying one! This winery wasn't in our original plan but after Blue Door Winery was super rude to us we decided to come here and were so glad we did!

Wow! This was my first visit to the Tasting Room at Hillside Ranch Vineyard and I was blown away. I…read moreabsolutely loved it! The views were stunning and it was such a relaxing, peaceful atmosphere from the moment we arrived. The tasting room itself was beautifully designed, stylish yet comfortable, making it easy to settle in and enjoy the experience. I loved the decor and the photos of the family history on the property! The hosts were genuinely welcoming, knowledgeable, and passionate about both the wine and the vineyard. We could tell they truly cared about creating a memorable experience for their guests. Every wine we tried was wonderful, and we appreciated learning more about the winemaking process and the stories behind each type of wine. This is the kind of place you want to sit and linger at for hours. I wish we'd been there at sunset - I bet it's amazing. Highly recommend for anyone looking for great wine, beautiful scenery, and warm hospitality.

TL;DR: Hillside Ranch Vineyard is a family-owned, small-lot winery in Jamul with fantastic wines…read moreand a welcoming, personal touch. The soft opening was well organized with timed seating, generous tastings (Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Rosé, Pinot Noir, and Syrah), and light snacks. The property is beautiful, the facility is clean and stylish, and the views are stunning. Bonus perks include friendly hosts, a behind-the-scenes tour, ranch horses, plenty of parking, dog-friendly policies, and easy GPS access. Full review: Family-owned and operated, Hillside Ranch Vineyard produces handcrafted, small-lot wines from the hills of Jamul in San Diego County. We attended their soft opening today, and it was a huge success. The vineyard offered reservations with 15-minute arrival time slots, ensuring everyone had a cozy seat upon arrival. The family who runs the vineyard personally shared the story of how it came to be and guided us through each wine we tasted--they were incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and welcoming. During the tasting, we sampled the Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Rosé, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. Every wine was delicious--truly exceptional. Table snacks, including seasoned nuts and crackers, were also provided. After the tasting, we were given a tour of the facility, where we got to see where the wine is made and tested. A few of the ranch's horses even stopped by, which was a fun and memorable touch--we were able to pet them as well. The building itself is very clean, beautifully decorated, and thoughtfully set up, with heaters near the outdoor seating for comfort. The vineyard and surrounding ranch are immaculately maintained and absolutely beautiful, offering photo-worthy views in every direction. There is plenty of parking, and GPS took us straight to the tasting room with no issues. Leashed dogs are welcome, and smoking is permitted in the parking lot.

Absolutely love this place! The wine is wonderful, but what…read morereally makes this spot special is the community the owner has built. Everyone is welcoming, and the atmosphere feels more like visiting a friend's home than a business. This was my second time here, and I'm already looking forward to the next visit. Great people, great wine--what more could you ask for?

So lovely !! The owners are so nice and friendly…read more The views are great and you can bring your own food !

One of my favorite wineries in Valle de Guadalupe. Xanic stands for "the flower that blooms after…read morethe first rain", in ode to the winter rains that bring good fortune to the area (and the winemaking process generally). Monte Xanic is one of Mexico's premium wineries, having won numerous international awards and competitions. If you're driving here, keep in mind that Monte Xanic is located further into the Valle than other popular spots (closer to the entrance from the road to Tecate). It is about a 2 hour drive from Tijuana at a modest pace. Monte Xanic is one of the oldest wineries in the region. The varietals near the entrance are 60+ years old (which are harvested to make some do Monte Xanic's premium wines). The winery itself dates back to the 80s. As it stands, because of COVID, you must make a reservation in advance to be allowed into the property. You'll need to reserve with a credit card but you won't be charged until you arrive, unless you don't show or cancel time. Once you turn off the main road, there is a gate with a guard who will ask for your reservation (and take your temperature + give you hand sanitizer) before allowing you to drive into the grounds. You'll follow a winding road past the property's man-made lake and up to the winery itself, which has parking (and charging stations if you have an electric vehicle! Major props for that!) Once you arrive you'll check in with the host, and you can choose where to sit for your tasting. There are various packages to choose from. I recommend the "greatest hits" selection (2 white, 1 rose, 2 reds) which runs about $25. These are premium wines so I think the price is reasonable. There are more expensive packages if you want to sample the very best of their selection. There are tables and stools inside and outside the winery, but far enough to each to maintain social distance. There is also a private room which holds 10 people if you'd like to arrange for a large group tasting. There is a wine cellar as well, though it is closed for the time being and there are no tours of the grounds either. The view of the Valle from the winery is fantastic. The tasting room is located on the mountainside and overlooks the lake, providing a great vantage point of the surrounding vineyards. I believe you can also reserve the winery for weddings. As for the tasting, your host or hostess will pour each wine at your table, and give you a thorough explanation about the history and process of each varietal. Our host, Mara, was awesome, knowledgeable, and very patient. Monte Xanic offers a limited selection of charcuterie and cheese assortments, and of course, you can purchase bottles to take home, including some rare limited editions, for far less than you could anywhere else, so I recommend doing so if you like Monte Xanic wine. It is difficult to find any of their wines for less than $20 per bottle, but here they have several selections in the $15ish range, which is a steal. Personally, I recommend picking up a bottle of their 2015 Syrah Cabernet blend, which was the last project worked on by their longtime winemaker, Hans Backhoff, before he passed away. I really enjoyed Monte Xanic and I'll definitely be back during my next trip to Valle.

Truly a spectacular place with a spectacular view. The staff was kind of cold but I guess that's…read morebecause they deal with customers that probably aren't in their best behavior. The staff was really professional and the building itself was beautiful but the view was stunning. It's kind of hidden but worth checking out. The charcuterie board was small but honestly just enough to feel good with a cup of wine. My family and I went to other wineries but this one was the prettiest because of the view. It felt like I was in Italy for the summer! Un lugar realmente espectacular, la vista es increíble y el lugar es muy profesional. El diseño del edificio se ve moderno con toques rústicos. Fue el primer lugar que visitamos pero la vista nos enamoró! Mi familia quedó impresionada con la belleza de este lugar. Lo mejor fue que cuando fuimos estaba casi vacío ya que llegamos casi una o dos horas antes de que cerraran. El lugar está increíble e inolvidable ya que al sentarse y tomarse una copa realmente es una experiencia relajante. Espero regresar pronto.

What an amazing place filled with such KIND workers!! The ambiance is so relaxing and very dog…read morefriendly! The sangria and blackberry cider are SO DELICIOUS!! Would definitely recommend for anyone looking for a good time!

We discovered this lovely place to sit and have a drink (and bring in snacks if you'd like), where…read morethey make Red Wines, Sangria and have THE most delicious cider that tastes like drinking a crisp sweet apple! We had one cider the first day, two the next, and before leaving Julian returned to take Growlers home :D Needless to say, we were in love with this cider!