The Ramona Valley is known as "The Valley of the Sun" and is called the Rhone Valley of California. It has the same soil type as Sonoma. Ramona was called Nuevo back in the 1850's and was home to the native American Indians. The settlers were lured here by the abundance of water and great weather in the 1950's.
Ramona was the turkey capital of the world, producing more turkeys a year than anywhere and celebrated every year with an annual turkey parade. Every year women would make beautiful dresses out of turkey feathers to wear in the parade. Since then the turkey industry has been replaced by egg ranchers and horse farmers along with various other types of farming.
Ramona was the turkey capital of the world, producing more turkeys a year than anywhere and celebrated every year with an annual turkey parade. Every year women would make beautiful dresses out of turkey feathers to wear in the parade. Since then the turkey industry has been replaced by egg ranchers and horse farmers along with various other types of farming.
Services
We will be visiting a total of three wineries including a catered lunch at a winery. All wine tastings included. Includes a one night hotel stay at La Fonda, lobster dinner, fabulous buffet breakfast and shopping in Rosarito. The email will for the October tour will be announced. First come, first serve in response to the email.
Ramona Winery California Chardonnay - Aged in stainless steel, this wine is fruity and crisp with notes of apple. Pairs well with fish, chicken, pasta and light cheeses. Ramona Winery Harvest White Table Blend - Aged in stainless steel, this wine is a vibrant, crisp fruity blend. 50/50 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc.
We are still looking for the family of James Smith to let them know that this memorial has been built for them. If you know this family, please let them know about us and give them our contact information so that we can share this with them. Every Memorial Day at high noon, local Vietnam Veterans come to the memorial to change the flags and give respect to their fellow soldiers.
Reviews (27)
Yves Gauthier
Jan 13, 2022
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Amber E.
Sep 12, 2021
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Really friendly, authentic winery - the first winery in Ramona! Some of the vines go back to the 1950s, and the winemaker John planted his first vines 30 years ago after he acquired the property. I really enjoyed hanging out and talking with John as I enjoyed my wine-tasting (only $10). We shared a love of Baja and the wines of Valle de Guadalupe, so it was fun to talk about restaurants, wines, and was excited to learn that they host overnight wine-tasting bus trips down to Baja/Valle, staying at La Fonda. Would love to do that with them sometime. More info on their website.
I tried the Chardonnay
I tried the Chardonnay
A. Non
Jul 24, 2021
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Sunday afternoon with a lovely bottle of White Zinfandel and a Chardonnay. A band started playing a little after 1 pm; the winery was packed! I understand we are going to see staffing shortages for a bit... This was the single star loss - food orders were taking close to an hour. When fully staffed, I bet this will be the place to stop by Ramona trips!
Nate Church
Jun 12, 2021
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Sabrina Zweifel
May 12, 2021
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Katie V.
Dec 13, 2020
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Katie G.
Nov 17, 2019
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F. E. B.
Nov 11, 2019
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Me and my wife went there yesterday and wow, amazing staff John is the man. Great wine awesome location and nice decor. Right when you walk up it is great then the inside amazing. The wine I sample can’t say I had a bad one, bought a bottle of the California white Zinfandel and let me say it was better once I got home. I loved it and will def grab more. There was this one with a spice taste which was really smoothe as well. Well worth the excellent experience get a glass and walk around the property. Met this awesome cat that was loving getting pet with blue eyes. Thanks John
Christine R.
Oct 06, 2019
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Visited here recently with friends (locals). We have all agreed:
This place is too loud, too dirty, no class, and mediocre wines - at best. Every wines had an obvious flaw, so we didn't buy anything. We didn't dare attempt to eat anything. Though the staff weren't too awful, probably trying to make up for their lack of knowledge. I know they attempted to make the environment appear "antique-y" or "arts-y" but it look more like a fun junk yard. You should never attempt this unless you have extensive "antique-y" or "arts'y" knowledge
This place is too loud, too dirty, no class, and mediocre wines - at best. Every wines had an obvious flaw, so we didn't buy anything. We didn't dare attempt to eat anything. Though the staff weren't too awful, probably trying to make up for their lack of knowledge. I know they attempted to make the environment appear "antique-y" or "arts-y" but it look more like a fun junk yard. You should never attempt this unless you have extensive "antique-y" or "arts'y" knowledge
David M.
Jun 25, 2019
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" Free Relaxing Summer Concert Series "
Once again we visited the Schwaesdall Winery in Ramona Wine country this weekend and had a great relaxing day listening to a 3 hour Free concert by the Rhythm Express Band. At these Free concerts, customers may bring their own snacks to enjoy during the concert, or you can purchase a custom made fresh artisan home made pizza of your choice which is delivered by Kara. Kara is a Schwaesdall family member who is so friendly and nice, as she hustles all over the Winery taking orders, she helps making the orders, and she delivers orders. She is AWESOME
Once again we visited the Schwaesdall Winery in Ramona Wine country this weekend and had a great relaxing day listening to a 3 hour Free concert by the Rhythm Express Band. At these Free concerts, customers may bring their own snacks to enjoy during the concert, or you can purchase a custom made fresh artisan home made pizza of your choice which is delivered by Kara. Kara is a Schwaesdall family member who is so friendly and nice, as she hustles all over the Winery taking orders, she helps making the orders, and she delivers orders. She is AWESOME
Michael W.
Dec 30, 2018
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Funky property loaded with antiques, rusted out machinery, eclectic collections of posters, art, harmonicas, etc. Most of the wines we tasted we heavy on the acidic/tannin side, even a couple that were of 2013-2015 vintage. Owners are friendly and engaging and the patio overlooking the vineyards is interesting.
Tom S.
Dec 02, 2018
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Erick Escamilla
Dec 09, 2017
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Frank D.
Dec 06, 2017
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I purchased tickets to the winery anniversary event this year.
The winery seems cool and very down to earth but i fear maybe the anniversary event should only be opened to close family and friends, i had no idea i was purchasing tickets to a wedding anniversary and a collection for funds would come around on top of my ticket purchase for a wine event with music.
In the future, i don't think the event should be sold as a music and wine thing but rather just keep it intimate for close friends and family.
The winery seems cool and very down to earth but i fear maybe the anniversary event should only be opened to close family and friends, i had no idea i was purchasing tickets to a wedding anniversary and a collection for funds would come around on top of my ticket purchase for a wine event with music.
In the future, i don't think the event should be sold as a music and wine thing but rather just keep it intimate for close friends and family.
Brian Dashner
Oct 09, 2017
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Arnold Martinez
May 31, 2017
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A. J.
Jun 13, 2016
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Ernie Z.
Feb 29, 2016
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Cassandra S.
Feb 15, 2016
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Zildheam D.
Jun 02, 2015
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I really felt at home here, we go to Napa/Sonoma three times a year and have done Paso Robles/Santa Barbara and Temecula wine tastings.
This has truly been one of the most genuine, unpretentious, warm and friendliest places I have ever visited.
Such a gem in Ramona, I encourage everyone to experience it and visit Johnny and his wife, their tasting is a steal for only ten dollars.
My mother liked the zinfandel and bought a bottle.
A must when in Ramona.
This has truly been one of the most genuine, unpretentious, warm and friendliest places I have ever visited.
Such a gem in Ramona, I encourage everyone to experience it and visit Johnny and his wife, their tasting is a steal for only ten dollars.
My mother liked the zinfandel and bought a bottle.
A must when in Ramona.
Forest W.
Apr 19, 2014
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I've been a serious wine drinker for 20 years and have been to 100's of wineries all over CA, OR and WA. I have to agree with another reviewer that said the wines are flawed. Every one I tasted was "off" in some way.
The straw bale structure that serves as the tasting room was very cool in spite of the poor quality wine.
The straw bale structure that serves as the tasting room was very cool in spite of the poor quality wine.
Judy S.
Feb 24, 2014
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John and Shirley Schwaesdall are truly 2 of the nicest and warm hearted people I have met in a long time. I just got back from a trip to Guadalupe Valley that they sponsor twice a year. They work there tails off on this trip and make sure that everyone is taken care off. It was so much fun and what a great group of people.
Go to their winery, try their great wine and meet these incredible people. You can tell they love what they do.
Judy Schultz
Go to their winery, try their great wine and meet these incredible people. You can tell they love what they do.
Judy Schultz
Tracey A.
Dec 06, 2013
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Sally W.
Oct 15, 2013
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Casey Markee
Sep 08, 2013
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Nora S.
Nov 24, 2009
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It was ok.
We love the smaller wineries and the location of this one (less than 20 minutes from our house) was great. The owner was a bit too much caught up in his football game to really pay attention to us and the amount of each wine he gave for tasting was really small. To make up for it, there were a lot of wines to be tasted. The wines were decent, but nothing amazing. We took home a late harvest Zinfandel that was a bit more unique. Sweet AND bold!
Worth a visit for sure.
We love the smaller wineries and the location of this one (less than 20 minutes from our house) was great. The owner was a bit too much caught up in his football game to really pay attention to us and the amount of each wine he gave for tasting was really small. To make up for it, there were a lot of wines to be tasted. The wines were decent, but nothing amazing. We took home a late harvest Zinfandel that was a bit more unique. Sweet AND bold!
Worth a visit for sure.
Michelle P.
Mar 27, 2008
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Every "wine country" that I've visited has a "get you drunk" winery (whether that's the intention or not). At Schwaesdall Winery, for $8 (and yes, you can keep the glass), you can taste up to 13(!) different wines. And I'm not talking about skimpy pours here... The first time that we visited here, we made the mistake of paying for separate tastes, and I had to ask my boyfriend to drive when we left.
I'd put Schwaesdall in the same category as Witch Creek, in that it's a fun tasting room (great hostess, fun crowd, and a hay bale roof), but we weren
I'd put Schwaesdall in the same category as Witch Creek, in that it's a fun tasting room (great hostess, fun crowd, and a hay bale roof), but we weren
