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"Let Me Take You There" to The Oldest Winery in Southern California, Rancho Bernardo Winery

By
Industry Observer with Retired

The oldest winery in Southern California was built right here in Rancho Bernardo in 1889 and it was the host today of a local Arts and Crafts Festival. The winery is still producing wine here but most all the grapes are brought in from other parts of California.

I was impressed with the amount of antique machinery and the old wine presses used at the turn of the century. The extensive grounds are much like a graveyard for rusted out old farm equipment and tools that is so very interesting. Everywhere you look are old antiquities.

There are even a couple old antique Olive presses resting comfortably from their glory days tucked into the shade of the remaining olive trees.

Today most of the grounds where grapes were once grown are covered with quaint shops, restaurants and they still do wine tastings of both their wines and others that are on sale from other wineries in the state of California. One of the newer buildings is clad in wood siding made from the end of old wine boxes. You will see a close up photo from Robert Mondavi wines as one of the wood shingles.

The Rancho Bernardo Historical Society is building a new museum facility on the grounds with a $300,000 fund it has raised for construction. Remnants from the Old Historical Socieity's Building that was torn down have been salvaged for inclusion in the new museum to be buiilt here. I have included a picture here of the temporary quarters of the Ranch Bernardo Historical Society.

What a delightful experience visiting there today. I have lived in the Rancho Bernardo area for over eight years and I had never visited the winery before. I love the surroundings, the old antique machinery and the quaint village type of atmosphere and I plan to return again and learn more about the history of this wonderful little treasure in Rancho Bernardo.

I saw a sign in one of the shops that made me think of all of you and knew you would like it. Especially Sally Chesseman, Gary Waltol and Julie Neerings. Maybe we should adopt this as the ActiveRain Mission Statement. Here is a picture of the sign. 

 

 

 

 

  Please enjoy this musical montage from my iTouch, 'Let me Take You There' in pictures.

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Comments (28)

Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Terrific  post. Should be fun to visit. Have never been to the winery. Enjoyed the slide show, thanks

Oct 18, 2008 03:49 PM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

I do believe it's time to have a chat....maybe next weekend?  Shall we make it  date :) :)

Oct 18, 2008 03:51 PM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Hi William,

Greetings from sunny Zihuatanjeo.

Love that sign, what a grea philosophy! I had no idea this place even existed, and the oldest in CA, huh? So what kind of grapes do they continue to grow? Looks like a place I'd want to visit.

Oct 18, 2008 04:01 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Sally, Indeed, I have been thinking about you of late and sent you an e-mail a few minutes ago. I deleted 1/2 of the e-mail as it raised an issue that has been bothering me of late. Then decided it was better in person and when we talk , I will tell you about it.

Oct 18, 2008 04:16 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Lynda, I forgot you were going to be going on a trip to the pacific coast of Mexico.  

This winery is located in a residential neighborhood, as they built homes around it. But is surely was eye opening that such a fun old place like this existed here in RB.

The Art and Craft show was fun and there was definitely some good talent represented but the Winery part blew me away with it vintage old machinery and antiquities everywhere on the grounds. Very interesting place.

Oct 18, 2008 04:23 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Jon, I missed you comment and had responded to another comment so this comment is out of order, hope you see it. Thank you for coming over. I sure did like your last post. Endearing and such a wonderful story. I surely hope many others will come over to your blog and read it , it is wonderful!

Oct 18, 2008 04:28 PM
Ruthmarie Hicks
Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY

I have to tell you! I LOVE the photos on the iTouch - really super cool!

Oct 18, 2008 04:58 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Ruthmarie, Been a while. Nice to see you again. Thank you for dropping by and for your very complimentary comments. It was so fun to put this together.

Oct 18, 2008 05:15 PM
Gena Riede
Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA
Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

William, I just love old things and what a great place with loads of history. Your slide show was great. Usually I have trouble hearing most videos but yours was nice and loud. I didn't even have to touch or click...as I scrolled down it suddenly began...very impressive William.

Thank you for sharing a wonderful spot in Rancho Bernardo.

Oct 18, 2008 05:52 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Gena, adding music when I can is such a wonderful living experience when coupled with photos and a slide show. Thank you for the great compliment. It was a interesting day and I had fun putting this together.

Oct 18, 2008 05:57 PM
Susie Blackmon
Ocala, FL
Ocala, Horses, Western Wear, Horse Farms, Marketing

Hi William, loved the show!!  I appreciate and gravitate toward more older 'things' these days myself.. well, except for maybe Cowboys.  Thank you for the great 'trip.'

Oct 18, 2008 10:26 PM
Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist
Kingsbridge Realty, Inc - Hubert, NC

Good morning William,
I really enjoying visiting wineries and what a lovely presentation you have offered here--sure made me smile.

Oct 19, 2008 01:01 AM
Don Rogers
Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO
Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

Thank you sir for a very nice tour of the winery and the localism post.  I enjoy going to new and different places.

Oct 19, 2008 01:41 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Susie, Too funny. Thanks for dropping by and I am glad you enjoyed the "older things". Honestly, I could have filled the slide show with antiquities , they are everywhere on the grounds. All rusted of course but they line every path and walkway.

Oct 19, 2008 02:43 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Cynthia, Thanks for stopping over and your wonderful comments. The place is really very interesting and other the signs and the old vintage stuff sitting everywhere, it looks less like what I remember of the winery's in Northern California. I think all the activity and the antiquities cover over much of the winery. There were not so many grape vines in view as I had expected either but it was certainly enjoyable to experience it all.

Oct 19, 2008 02:47 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Don, I am glad you stopped by and that you enjoyed this presentation. I enjoyed so much putting it together.

Oct 19, 2008 02:51 AM
Diane Aurit
LKN Realty, LLC - Mooresville, NC
Lake Norman Real Estate

William, just what I needed...a beautiful escape; time to enjoy a special moment experiencing some wonderful photos capturing the essence of the history and character of your Rancho Bernardo Winery!  Thank you.

Oct 20, 2008 02:11 AM
Joan Mirantz
Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH
Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire

Hi William..that is exactly the type of place I love to visit! Crafts and antiquities and wine....ya can't beat it! Great pictures!

Oct 20, 2008 03:17 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Diane, It was little discovery finding the place. My only regret was that I never realized it was there. I would guess there are lots of places to discover and that will be charge. Focused now in localism is providing a new sense of discovery and I think that is good. Especially in light of where the thinking in the world is. Thanks for coming over and sharing your enthusiastic voice. Hope you are doing well.

Oct 20, 2008 03:24 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Joan,

Glad you liked it. And it is always nice to have you share in what I am doing. You have been a wonderful and loyal friend that always makes me feel such a significant part of our network of friends.

Oct 20, 2008 03:26 AM