Escondido may mean “hidden” in Spanish but this little jewel in the crown of San Diego County has a lot going for it.
Situated a mere 30 miles from San Diego’s centre, Escondido is home to more than 20 wineries, craft breweries, great restaurants and eateries, a vibrant arts and theatre scene and a charming historic town centre.
Both Escondido and San Diego county are known for their year-round mild Mediterranean climate. If you’re looking for a quieter visit to wineries in Escondido, you have picked the right spot.
The Escondido wine region is noteworthy in California’s wine history. Some of California’s first wine grapes were grown and pressed here, launching the Sunshine State’s wine tradition as far back as the late 1700s.
Currently, there are more than 20 unique wine tasting rooms and wineries both in urban Escondido and in the surrounding hills. Most Escondido wineries have hilltop terraces and patios with spectacular views to while away an afternoon with a wine glass in hand.
Escape busy San Diego for a weekend or a day trip armed with our guide to 7 of the best wineries in Escondido you must visit.
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Espinosa Vineyards
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This atmospheric winery offers service at the bar for tastings, glasses and bottles of wine. Tables are spread out under a canopy of Ponderosa Pines. Reservations for tables are encouraged but not required.
Picnics and snacks are allowed but the owners ask that you take your trash with you.
Their niche is balanced wine made from Spanish grapes. All their wines are made from grapes that are grown in the vineyard in Escondido and from grapes bought from the wine-growing regions in California. Note their wines are only available at the winery until they sell out.
- Wines: Pinot Noir, Syrah, Red blend, Tempranillo, White blend, Garnacha blanca
- Wine Club: No.
- Hours: Saturdays and Sundays 12 to 5.30pm.
- Other: Table reservations are encouraged. Small party drop-ins are allowed.
Speckle Rock Vineyards
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Once a thriving avocado ranch until the 2007 wildfires wiped out their crop. The family followed a passion and planted grapes. The winery is named after the speckled granite boulders left standing after the fires. It is these very rocks that, when decomposed, contribute to their great soil for grown grapes.
Speckle Rock boasts a beautiful terrace – studded with huge granite rocks – with spectacular views over the valley and small lakes. his winery is a very popular wedding venue.
- Wines: Tälynlu (Grenache-leading proprietary red blend), Falanghina (a unique white varietal from the southern Italian coast), among others.
- Wine Club: Yes.
- Hours: Thursdays-Sundays 1-7pm.
- Other: Do host private events. Live music on Sundays from 1-6pm.
Rancho Guejito Vineyard
Established in 1845 as a ranch, Rancho Guejito is almost 23 000 acres (36 sq. miles) of now rare indigenous landscape. It is virtually untouched from a time when California was a colonial province of Mexico. The ranch features vineyards among isolated meadows, high mountains, forests of Coulter pines, and centuries-old, rare Engelmann Oak woodlands.
Their tasting room is located in the heart of the San Pasqual Valley wine region at the historic Rockwood Farmhouse (built in 1885), just minutes from the San Diego Safari Park. The tasting room is family-friendly for children and dogs, so this is an added perk.
- Wines: Chardonnay, Blanc de Blanc, Grenache, Merlot
- Wine Club: Yes.
- Hours: Saturdays-Sundays 11am-7pm
- Other: Do host private events and weddings.
- Live music: check the website for the line-up.
Altipiano Vineyard and Winery
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With spectacular scenery and a deck that looks out over the vineyard of Altipiano, one may just think one has died and gone to heaven in Tuscany. Denise Clarke is the international award-winning winemaker at Altipiano. Denise and Peter host fine wine lovers at their Tuscan Villa tucked away on a hilltop among the vines. This winery is known for its excellent reds. This winery has also received a lot of press coverage, see their website under News.
- Wines: Merlot, Petit Sirah, Sangiovese, among others.
- Wine Club: Yes.
- Hours: Saturdays-Sundays 12pm-6pm
Belle Marie Winery
Belle Marie Winery is a family-owned and operated boutique winery in Escondido. The winery and tasting room are situated on three-and-a-half acres, with a French-style Chateau castle amid lush citrus groves and vineyards. There are lots of sunny and shaded areas throughout the grounds, perfect for relaxing with a glass of wine or enjoying a picnic or snack.
They produce more than 20 different wines each year in a wide range of styles, specializing in red blends but also making single-varietal reds, white blends and varietals, rose wines, and a number of different dessert wines.
- Wines: Syrah, Petit verdot, Dry Rosé, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
- Wine Club: Yes.
- Hours: Check the website for details.
- Other: Do host private events and weddings.
- Live music: check the website for the line-up.
Hungry Hawk Vineyards
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Another acclaimed vineyard in Escondido is the Hungry Hawk Vineyards and Winery. With 15 varietals, an air-conditioned tasting room, and an outdoor patio with views of the San Pasqual Valley, this winery is a real treat to experience.
You can take a tour with the winemaker that includes five wine tastings, or you can sign up for a thirty-minute tour of the vineyard and winery (tastings including).
- Wines: Classic whites and reds, Dry Rosé, Sparkling wines, Dessert wines. Many award-winning wines.
- Wine Club: Yes.
- Hours: Friday-Sunday 12pm-6pm.
- Other: Do host private events and weddings. 21 years and older. No pets.
- Live music: check the website for the line-up.
Orfila Vineyards
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This is a must-visit as Orfila is one of the top Escondido wineries. In fact, some even consider it the best Escondido winery!
The tasting room and patio overlook the 70-acre estate. The tree-lined family-friendly picnic area features grassy knolls and picnic tables. Dogs are permitted but must be on a leash.
Orfila produces critically acclaimed wines using Italian and French varietals, including those from the Rhône Valley, Burgundy and Bordeaux. They source their grapes from both the estate and select Californian vineyards.
Since opening in 1994, Orfila Vineyards has won more than 1 000 awards, making it a “must visit” on your tour of Escondido wineries.
- Wines: Classic whites and reds, Dry Rosé, Sparkling wines, Dessert wines. Many award-winning wines.
- Wine Club: Yes.
- Hours: Daily 11am-7pm. No reservations are necessary.
- Live music: check the website for the line-up.
California certainly isn’t short on wineries to visit but if you fancy a quieter and more tranquil wine tasting weekend or day-trip, you can’t go wrong with picking wineries near Escondido.
Born amidst the rolling vineyards of Napa Valley, Chloe’s love for wine was instilled from a young age. This passion led her to the picturesque wine regions of France, where she immersed herself in the rich wine culture and traditions.
Chloe’s dedication to the craft culminated in her becoming a wine sommelier, a testament to her deep knowledge and appreciation for wines.