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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