Published 05/05/2010

San Diego County Planning Commission has sent a new winery zoning ordinance to county supervisors, who are expected to consider and vote on the proposal this summer.

The Garagistes of Ramona, California

“The Ramona group” is the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association. According to president McClellan, it exists to “promote the Ramona Valley wine and grape business — I think nearly every winery in Ramona Valley is also a member of our organization. Also, to educate people about growing good grapes.

Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA) released its first calendar at the group’s annual Holiday Party at Bandy Canyon Ranch. At the event, dues paying members also received their “Member Ramona Valley Vineyard Association” sign to put on their fence or building.   

Well, they were at it again. Local wine makers were featured at a tasting event on November 7th, organized by John Alongé, aka The Wine Heretic at Alternative Wines in Carmel Valley.  Four Ramona Valley wine makers and one Julian winery were represented, proudly pouring their new releases to an enthusiastic gathering of about thirty oenophiles.  Alongé is a well-respected educational entertainer on food and wine around the county and a regular contributor to Edible San Diego magazine.

Wine and conversation flowed abundantly in the Sizzler Banquet Room at the 2009 Lum Eisenman Ramona Valley Wine Competition last week.  More than fifty wine makers, wine grape growers and judges gathered to honor and thank Lum for all he has done over the years to encourage the production of quality wine in San Diego County.  It also places a focus on the potential of the Ramona Valley Viticultural Area (AVA) for the production of quality wines, and provides constructive feedback to all winemakers who are making wines from Ramona Valley-sourced grapes.

To be eligible for entry into the competition, the wine must qualify for Ramona Valley AVA labeling, that is at least 85% of the grapes used to produce the wine are sourced from vineyards located in the AVA.  A map of the area can be found on the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association's web site at www.ramonavalleyvineyards.org. Wines may be made by either amateur or commercial wine makers, and those vintners need not be located in the AVA.

As early as the 1880s Ramona supported at least six wine grape growers, including M. C. Woodson, William Warnock, and Bernard Etcheverry, names that are familiar from the streets and other landmarks in the area named for them.  In his History of the Wineries of San Diego County, local historian, anthropologist and wine maker Richard Carrico relates that prohibition and then World War II spelled disaster for the grape and wine industry here.

Carrico is also quick to point out that Ramona is poised to take its place in the surging wine craze, and while this valley may never be in the same league as northern California wine areas, we can certainly make our own positive mark in the industry and in San Diego County.