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.

They are closed. For good. This was a gem of a winery but the collapse wasn't pretty. I wish them…read moreluck.

We spent a lovely afternoon at the Grant James Vineyard. We…read moreenjoyed a brief history of the world of wine. Incredibly informative , as we dined on a delicious Summer lunch that was paired beautifully with their tastings of the day. We enjoyed : Viognier, very crisp with a slight mango and honeysuckle hint. The 2022 blush was a very dry fruity floral sip . And for the summer, they surprised us with a beautiful sweet sangria . Be prepared for some of the most amazing service you will ever get at any winery. dining on the Terrace, live music with a cool summer breeze-bring your friends, family and your dogs as well It's the perfect summer hang !

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!

the best gluten free pizza in a friendly atmospere with beautiful views…read moreFeels like you're in a friends patio enjoying the view

Had a fantastic time at Cordiano's winery! Great food and wine and fantastic service. You're…read moretreated like family! Gorgeous view of the mountains in a perfect place to watch the sunset! This family run business is a must go to when you're in Escondido! Nick was gracious and helpful! Had some wonderful wine conversation! As well as his grandfather Gerardo who walked in with us upon arrival. My first trip to California and this place was one of the highlights!

I have a vineyard not far from Bernardo Winery, and Ross purchases my Petite Sirah, Sangiovese and…read moreMalbec grapes. It is a wonderful relationship and a terrific experience to be associated with the winery. My wife and I enjoy the wine crafted from our grapes, dinners at the winery and special events on many occasions. We are blessed by this journey! @BearingFruitVineyard

My husband and I were looking for a place to get out of the house after several weeks cooped up…read morewith our newborn. Bernardo Winery was the perfect place to get our feet wet back in the world as new parents. Parking was stress free. The winery is very spread out so we didn't feel strange bringing our stroller and there were plenty of seat yourself options that were shaded outside. We sat and drank our wine glasses and tastings in the restaurant seating area. Baby slept through the whole journey before we turned back home to San Diego. My husband really liked his pizza that he ordered. I got the vodka rigatoni which was also pretty good. I got a mixed wine flight with some reds and whites. If you're planning to do some tastings with people under 21, just a warning that the underage folks cannot go in the tasting room.

If you're looking for WOW factor, look no further!!! The owner and his staff are fantastic,…read moreanticipating your every need and, then some. The venue is breathtaking. The hotel is tucked between mountains and surrounded by nature. Your guests will be blown away and everyone will wonder how they didn't know about the magic of the Vineyards until now. It is truly a magical place. The rooms are so comfortable, you might wish you could move in. You will feel like you are far away from the hustle and bustle, and can completely relax. With all of the amazing amenities included in the packages, you can truly enjoy your event. We can't wait to go back for a staycation or another big event.

It's beautiful... and that's the most appropriate comment I will type…read more My husband and I met Joseph in August of 2024 to plan our daughter's quinceanera that just took place on May 9th 2026. We went over the contract thoroughly, eventually deciding that we would bring our own vendors (taquero, DJ, photographer, baker, event decorator, and 360 photo booth), as I have known many of these people for years and have an established, trusting relationship with most of them. Joseph said that was perfectly fine, the only service that we had to use from his side was the bartender, which my husband and I understood. During this meeting we also met his assistant Patty and were told that she would also be helping us through this process, but that he was always available, and we would have his complete attention the week of and leading to the day of our daughter's celebration. Part of our contract states that we were able to bring the supplies/decor/spirits to the venue the week of the quince. So, on May 4th, my family and I filled the event room with the decorations et al, that we would be using for the following Saturday, the 9th. Every single day, Monday through Friday that week, my mom and I were at the venue, sorting through boxes, opening packages, putting the cake table pieces together, setting up the candy bar, making sure that when the day of came, everything would be organized and ready for the staff to take out to decorate. Friday afternoon (5/8) we met with Patty to clarify all of this. But first let me elaborate a bit more... My family and I had informed Joseph and Patty that we would be bringing some salads, fruit/vegetable platters, and items for a nacho bar that would need to be set up before we arrived. Joseph explained that he did not have enough staff to help with that (8 people doing various jobs, still unsure of what) and that either myself or a friend/family member would need to come and get this ready because he could not accommodate this. We were so grateful that our BAKER, who is not employed by the venue, was able to help with this since she was also arriving early to bring the desserts for the cake table. More on that in a minute. When we arrived at the venue the day of the quince, it looked beautiful, the tables looked ready, centerpieces, runners, etc. then I started noticing that there was so much more missing, and my guests were already walking into the party space. For starters, I did not see hardly any staff in the party area and Patty was unfortunately running around like a madman. She was feverishly trying to set up the luminaries and LED pillars we had brought for the garden walkway. I also noticed that the fruit/veggie/nacho bar table was not set up. I ended up rushing to the clubhouse where all of this was being stored and took everything out of the refrigerator myself. I encountered a staff member on the way back who said to me, "Oh are you the mom? Oh let me know what you need help with." My mind was absolutely boggled. Did my family and I NOT just spend the entire week here and leave detailed instructions? And then... While carrying said fruit/vegetable trays, I walked by the tables to notice that there were not any "reserved" signs placed. We had asked for two tables to be held for the immediate family. I had mentioned this to one of the staff, I believe Lily (she was very lovely) and said she would get right on it. About 10 minutes later I saw that the signs were there, but what I learned the following week was that one of the tables already had guests sitting at it and they were promptly asked to move to another table. Sigh... And then... Once my husband and I were able to catch our breath, we grabbed a quick drink. Jason was our bartender, very kind and solid drinks. While we were at the bar, Joseph came up to talk to us, telling Jason that someone got sick in the bathroom and that he had to stop serving hard alcohol for an hour. Mind you, the bar has only been open about forty-five minutes, and no one has had any shots or is intoxicated. We all disagreed with this but had to oblige. By this time, we were falling behind schedule and had to do the main entrance. Then I realized that I had not seen my daughter in almost two hours, the sun was starting to set, and we did not take any pictures with her in this beautiful space because we had to do the jobs that we had hired this venue for. In the end: No pictures with our daughter in this space that cost half our budget Staff enjoyed our taquero without checking to make sure all of our guests had eaten Saw photos of Joseph and his staff enjoying our 360 photo booth Learned that 80% of my vendors experienced an unpleasant encounter with Joseph My guests were unsatisfied with parking/golf cart availability Not enough restroom signage Reports from vendors state as of 2pm, tablecloths weren't even on the tables.

Great wine and great ambiance with beautiful landscapes that are walkable. Enjoyed coming here with…read morefriends and making memories :) Like that you can bring in your own food to enjoy for a little picnic.

Our last visit was on 2/6/2022, and at that time the Tasting: $16/person for a 6-pour flight…read more(waived with any 1 bottle purchase) We've been here several times over the years, but only once since the new ownership took over. Milagro Farm is just that, a working farm with many aspects, including the winery. The tasting room, patio, and barrel room facilities have a rustic vibe, but are very nice. The staff was friendly and provides a lot of information on the various wines they offer. WINES: We shared a tasting of 5 whites and 5 reds. They have a large selection of varietals, including a Sparkling, Sauv Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Barbera, Cab Sauv, Petite Sirah, and some blends. The wines are okay, not necessarily matching my palate, but others seem to really enjoy them. I always say that with wine, what I like/dislike may differ from your palate, so I suggest that you try them out yourselves. Overall, a relaxing, enjoyable time and location.