There’s Always Something Happening
Sample a new release or enjoy one of our special events
Our wineries regularly host new release tastings, winemaker discussions, food trucks, entertainment and more. Check below to see highlights of what’s happening now.
Barrel tasting at Granite Lion Cellars July 3rd and 4th
It’s going to be hot…to give guests a break from the heat, Granite Lion Cellars will be offering limited barrel tastings for the next two days while their winemaker is topping barrels in the cool room. Come for a wine tasting, look behind the scenes, ask questions, and taste the difference of oaked vs unoaked wine, or oak variants. Fees apply.
Father’s Day BBQ and Wine Tasting
Give dad a break from barbecuing duties and take him to Granite Lion Cellars this Father’s Day! Enjoy cedar planked salmon, chicken wings, pulled pork sliders, veggies, bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers and more from Fat Side Up BBQ! And if you are looking for wine tasting near San Diego, you can’t do better than Granite Lion Cellars and the Wineries on Highway 94 – just 30 minutes from downtown San Diego in beautiful Jamul. More details can be found here. Cheers to dad!
Escape ‘June Gloom’ for the sunshine of East County San Diego
San Diego’s ‘June Gloom’ got you down? Then take a short drive out Highway 94 to escape the clouds. Jamul and Dulzura – just 30 minutes east of downtown San Diego – typically experience more sunshine and warmer temperatures during May, June and July when it’s frequently overcast and chilly in the city. Come for a tasting or bring a picnic basket and enjoy a sunny afternoon.
New Release: Valentina Vineyards’ 2022 Rosé Granache
Stop by Valentina Vineyards this spring to taste our newly released 2022 Rosé Grenache! Grenache is one of the top grape varietals used in popular Provence Rosé. It pairs well with aromatic spices like tomato, red pepper and eggplant – think foods from Morocco, India and the Middle East. Of course, we think it’s delicious all by itself! Come by for a tasting or to pick up a bottle. Enjoy great wine tasting near San Diego – just 35 minutes from downtown on Highway 94 in beautiful Dulzura!
‘Sip & Snack’ Wine Tasting at Hillside Ranch Vineyard
Limited tickets are still available for ‘Sip & Snack‘ on Saturday May 6 – a wine tasting fundraiser featuring wines from several of ‘The Wineries on Highway 94’ wineries. The event is hosted by Soroptimists International of La Mesa at the beautiful Hillside Ranch Vineyard. Tickets are $60 and must be purchased by May 1st. Entry includes charcuterie and 5 wine tastings of a variety of local estate wines. Additional tastings, glasses and individual bottles of wine, olive oil and honey will be available for purchase. The event includes a silent auction and raffle.
May 6, 2023, 2:00-5:00pm.
Purchase tickets online by clicking here.
Art and Wine at Granite Lion Cellars
Join us for an evening of fun at Granite Lion Cellars! Learn how to paint a beautiful picture while enjoying your favorite wine! We will be hosting an acrylic painting class on Thursday, April 27th from 4:30pm to 6:30pm This lesson will be taught by Larisse Robinson, owner of the art studios, Art with Larisse. Cost is $30 and tickets must be purchased at least 1 day prior. Additional details can be found here.
***Wine must be purchased separately. Supplies are included along with a 2 hour lesson for painting on canvas with acrylic. All supplies will be waiting at Granite Lion Cellars vineyard for your paint night experience. No need to pick up anything. Just arrive onsite at 4:30 on the day of the event. Come early to purchase your wine before the event.
Spring Barrel Tasting at Deerhorn Valley Vineyards
Stop by Deerhorn Valley Vineyards April 22-23 to find out how some of our younger vintages are maturing. Barrel tasting is a fun way to learn about the aging process and gain a deeper appreciation for the nuance of different wines. We use these tastings to help us understand where the wine is in its maturing process and to make decisions about how the wine should be blended, aged, and bottled. We hope you’ll join us for a tasting!
Mother’s Day Food Truck at Rustic Ridge Vineyards
Mother’s Day is less than a month away! Why not bring Mom to Rustic Ridge Vineyards on Sunday May 14th, 11AM-3PM, for wine tasting and delicious greek food from Mr Greek? Check our events page for details and to see all of our upcoming events. We encourage you to RSVP to secure your spot. Cheers to Mom!
Bud break!
This winter’s colder temperatures caused a delay in ‘bud break’ – the appearance of the first, small leaves that tell us the vines are waking from winter dormancy. Bud break in our region typically happens in February or March but this year some vines didn’t see bud break until early April – as seen in this photo from Hillside Ranch Vineyard. Late bud break helps protect the vines from late-winter frosts. And a shorter growing season can lead to more concentrated and intense flavors in grapes. Most importantly, bud break is a sign that growing season has begun!
April Food Truck Lineup at Granite Lion Cellars
Granite Lion Cellars has posted their April Food Truck lineup! You can check the latest schedule here. Pair your wine tasting with delicious bites from vendors like Under Dogs, Hefty Boy BBQ, Lemon Drop Pastry Shop and Big Dawg Burger. Be sure to check the schedule for start time and duration.