Family-owned boutique vineyard and winery located in Ramona, California

HISTORY
In 2009, John Saunders, his wife Marion, along with their son Ben, embarked on the journey to revive a wildfire-affected property on the outskirts of the Ramona Valley wine region. Their vision was to plant several acres of Italian red wine grape varietals, inspired from several trips to Italy – imbibing in some of the world’s best wines. They understood the similarities between Ramona Valley’s terroir and many of the regions they visited in Italy. Convinced they could produce wines of similar caliber, they planted their first 2,500 vines.

WINEMAKING
John’s extensive background in pharmaceutical chemistry greatly influences his winemaking approach. He is dedicated to the scientific method – continuously experimenting with new techniques in the wine cellar, whilst still retaining ‘old world’ Italian winemaking traditions.

VITICULTURE
The first plantings of grape vines at Poppaea took place in 2010. The family selected 6 Italian red varietals to work with: Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Nebbiolo, Barbera, Primitivo and Sagrantino.
In an effort to achieve balance in a tasting menu of predominantly red wine offerings, the decision to increase the allocation of red grapes dedicated to the production of Rosé wine, along with the first plantings of Vermentino in 2021, proved a major success. This prompted the expansion of Vermentino plantings in 2023.
The vineyard totals about 4 1/2 planted acres of wine grapes, surrounded by native and introduced plant species designed to encourage pollinators and beneficial fauna.

TASTE OUR WINE
Please join us for a 5-pour tasting paddle featuring our current wine offerings of Italian varietals. All of our wines are crafted from estate-grown fruit.

OUR SPACE
We provide both indoor and outdoor seating, the latter featuring a stunning view overlooking Ramona Valley and Mt. Woodson peak. We also offer a more private, shaded tasting area, which we call “The Island”. In addition, we have a picnic table located in our experimental vineyard block, which you are welcome to use.
You are encouraged to bring your own food to compliment your wine tasting experience.
We are a dog-friendly establishment.
HOURS
We are open Fridays 2-5pm and Saturdays-Sundays 12-6pm.

Ramona Ranch Vineyard & Winery is built on a simple promise: to care for the land, craft honest wines, and welcome every guest like family. As San Diego County’s only Certified Sustainable Vineyard and Winery, our commitment to stewardship guides everything we do—from the vines we plant to the way we farm, ferment, and share each bottle.

We produce limited quantities of vineyard-specific, single varietal wines and distinctive blends that reflect our site and season. As a small, first-generation, founder-owned winery, Teri (a Navy veteran) oversees the business and guest experience while Micole (hubbby) the vines and makes the wine. Together, we’ve been quietly honing our craft since 2004, earning recognition in respected competitions, including Double Gold medals at the Sunset International Wine Competition, Best of Class for our Estate Tannat, and a Double Gold for our Sangiovese. You can taste that care and intention in every glass of our award-winning red, white, and rosé wines.

Our values show up in the land itself. Ramona Ranch has been recognized by the National Wildlife Federation as a Certified Wildlife Habitat. An on-site insectary invites beneficial insects and birds, while native cover crops and a natural riparian area support thriving quail coveys, California Greater Roadrunners, red-tail and Cooper’s hawks, and the occasional golden eagle or snowy egret. When you visit our newly expanded TasteSpace, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of Ramona’s rolling hills, knowing that the landscape around you is being actively protected and nurtured.

We’re open Thursday through Monday, picnic-friendly, dog-friendly, and always hospitality-forward. Come relax on the patio, savor a flight or a glass, and experience for yourself why Ramona Ranch has been voted “Best of Ramona” for the past six years. It’s our honor to share our wines—and our home in the vines—with you.