San Diego Highland Valley Wine Tour

Skip the Temecula crowds and discover the best of San Diego's little-known wine scene. Highland Valley sits in the hills east of Escondido, a world of avocado groves, granite boulders and small family wineries where the person pouring your wine usually made it. I pick you up at your hotel or vacation rental and handle all the driving and logistics. We visit three family-run wineries. With enough advance notice, I reserve tastings at each one, so you walk in expected and the wine is ready. Expect bold reds, a crisp rosé or two, and small-lot bottles you won't find anywhere else. No shuttle bus, no strangers, no rushing. Stroll the vines between pours and linger where you like. The day ends with the sun setting over the canyons, glass in hand, before I drive you home. Private tour for up to 4 guests, all 21+. About 4 hours door to door. $550 per group plus $90 per person in tasting fees. Bring ID and leave the car keys at the hotel.

🚙 Pickup (0:00) I meet you at your hotel or rental. We head inland, trading the marine layer for citrus groves and granite hills. 🍷 Domaine Artefact (0:35) A 30-acre family estate pouring only Rhône varietals. Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre, plus a Provençal-style rosé. 🍇 Speckle Rock Vineyards (1:25) An avocado ranch until the 2007 fires, now fifteen varietals at 1,200 feet. Stroll the vines, then try the award-winning Falanghina with views over San Pasqual Valley. 🌄 Cordiano Winery (2:15) The longest stop, and worth it. Hillside terraces, estate reds and the best sunset seat in the valley as the light drops behind the canyons. 🏠 Home (3:25) Sit back while I drive you home. ⏰ Pickup shifts with the season so we always catch sunset. 📋 Tastings reserved ahead with enough notice. 🍕 Add-on: stay for wood-fired pizza at Cordiano. 🪪 21+ only. Bring ID.