News & Press

We are honored to have been featured in articles from the San Diego Reader, East County Magazine, and many more!

San Diego Reader

San Diego’s new wine region
Good reds and Rieslings in the 94 corridor

‘It’s all about the diurnal drop. It cools off a lot here at night, 30 degrees on average. That’s why we can make good whites,” says Sarah Babine, who, along with husband Grant Spotts, aims to put an obscure corner of San Diego County on wine enthusiasts’ radar. She opines that the common wisdom ‘round these parts — that it’s just too hot to grow white varietals — is flat wrong, and after tasting the bottlings of Dulzura Vineyard and Winery, I’m inclined to agree with her.”

San Diego Magazine

27 Secret San Diego Spots

“Sure, you know about Temecula and Valle de Guadalupe when it comes to nearby wine regions. But the latest—and still off-the-radar—local area to get in on the craft of winemaking is along Highway 94 near Dulzura, which sits adjacent to Tecate and the Mexican border. These family-run, low-key wineries are ideal for smaller groups, offering personal tours, chats with the winemakers, and tastings in beautiful locations. Favorites include Dulzura Vineyard & Winery, Deerhorn Valley Vineyards, Granite Lion Cellars, and Casi Cielo Winery.”

San Diego Home & Garden

Roots on the Route

“Take note of these numbers: 128, 29, 46, 246 and 94. The combination might not win the California State Lottery; but if you fancy yourself a wine connoisseur, they should be your California State Winery guide. They’re highway numbers — from north to south — for wine-tasting corridors in the appellations of Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara and San Diego counties.

The newbie of the bunch, Highway 94 saw a boost in traffic after three wineries, usually open only on week- ends, agreed to keep their tasting rooms open daily from Thanksgiving through the weekend after New Year’s and coopted a radio ad to promote it.”

Edible San Diego

On the Road: Highway 94 Wineries

“Just 30 minutes outside of San Diego lies hands down one of its best-kept scenic drives. Highway 94 hosts some of Southern California’s most idyllic scenery— grassy hills and impressive mountains lead you along the US-Mexico border. Full of rural charm, “Campo Road”, as its also known, winds east through the quaint ranchland communities of Jamul and Dulzura and continues all the way to historic Campo and Boulevard.

Adventurous wine tasters, take note: Highway 94 is more than just a fun, back road, scenic country drive. A drive on the two-lane highway east of Rancho San Diego will take you through the towns of Jamul, Dulzura, Barrett Junction, Potrero and Campo. This is the Highway 94 Wine Trail. Off the beaten track. Not Napa. No tour buses…yet.”

East County Magazine

Enjoy a country stay at Dulzura winery guest house on the historic clark ranch

‘ The pioneer-era Clark Ranch, home of the Dulzura Winery in Dulzura, California dates back to 1885 and has remained in the Clark family to this day. Once known for its groves of olives and production of pickled figs, the land today is planted in vineyards and the former pickling house has been converted to a wine-tasting room, with a cozy guest cottage upstairs.”

Robin Dohrn-Simpson

Highway 94 Wine Trail, San Diego’s Best Kept Secret

“Adventurous wine tasters, take note: Highway 94 is more than just a fun, backroads, scenic country drive. A drive on the two-lane highway east of Rancho San Diego will take you through the towns of Jamul, Dulzura, Barrett Junction, Portrero and Campo. This is the Highway 94 wine trail. Off the beaten track. Not Napa. No tour buses…yet.

In summertime, the vines are green, laden with fruit starting to ripen. The cool afternoon breeze blows through your hair and reminds you that you’re only 25 or 30 miles inland from the ocean. Hillsides have transitioned from vibrant Kelly green to a golden brown. Ancient California Oaks, Black Oaks and Cottonwood trees dot the landscape. This is the iconic view of southern California back country.”

East County Magazine

Historic highway 94: Traveling through time

“A trip along Highway 94, a state-designated historic highway, is like traveling through time—a place where you’ll find elements ot the region’s colorful past juxtaposed against new elements such as the region’s emerging wine industry, an Indian casino and golf courses.

To get to this two-lane highway stretch from San Diego, take the freeway portion of State Route 94 east through Spring Valley to Rancho San Diego, where it becomes Campo Road ,then turn right at the signal light to stay on 94/Campo Road, a two-lane country highway heading south.

The journey begins at the Steele Canyon Bridge on your right, built in 1929 over the Sweetwater River. There’s a trailhead at the bridge leading into the Sweetwater National Wildlife Refuge.”