Rancho Guejito Vineyard

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Make sure to check out our list of all Hidden Spots in Escondido!

About Rancho Guejito Vineyard

Rancho Guejito is one of San Diego’s most treasured hidden gems.  With over 22,000 acres of natural & pristine land, this closely-guarded property is usually closed off to the public.

Private tours of the rancho are available or you can always purchase their delicious grass-fed beef boxes to get a little flavor of the ranch. Beyond that though, there is only one exception to visiting Rancho Guejito publicly and that is through their vineyard!

Rancho Guejito boasts a rich history dating back to the mid 1800’s and is actually the last intact Mexican land grant. I wrote an article about the history of this property in depth on this page if you are interested.  This article is specifically to cover their vineyard though.

About the vineyard & tasting room

The vineyard and tasting room are held on an historic homestead known as Rockwood Ranch. Rockwood Ranch was one of the first farming settlements in the valley, purchased by Bernard B. Rockwood in 1885.

The historic Rockwood Ranch

The ranch’s fertile soil, diverse climate due to the expanse of the property and natural water sources made this the perfect place to grow grapes. Rancho Guejito’s commitment to sustainable farming practices and environmental stewardship is commendable.

Each year new varietals are planted on their 22,000+ acre property as they scout out the best locations on their property with their winemaker, Chris Broomell.

Their dedication to natural farming methods ensures that every bottle of wine produced is a reflection of their commitment to quality and sustainability.

From the meticulous care given to the vines, to the preservation of the surrounding wildlife habitat, Rancho Guejito Vineyard strives to create a harmonious relationship between grape cultivation and the natural world.

Currently the varietals they grow are:

Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre, Malbec, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Syrah, Torrontés,, Marsanne, Trebbiano, Toscano, Picpoul Blanc, Malvasia Bianca, Petite Manseng, Cinsaut, Viognier, Terret Noir, Clairette and more!

Hayride Tours

A great adventure for the entire family (including your pup) are their hayrides which will wind you along the scenic groves and vineyards on the ranch.

You will also get to view their citrus and avocado groves which are sold to stores locally. Enjoy acoustic music by one of their troubadours as you journey down the dusty dirt roads.

Hayrides leave the tasting room throughout the day during open hours as groups form or requests are made. Rides last approximately 20 minutes and are complimentary with any tasting or purchase. To catch a ride, hop on the wagon when it’s parked.

Historic drawing of the Maxcy winery which was the original winery of the property

Rancho Guejito Vineyard also has a bounce house for the children every weekend!  Such a kid-friendly spot!

There are a lot of fun events held each weekend.  You can check out their calendar on this page. We happened to visit the day they were hosting their cake-decorating class.

Although I didn’t attend the class, I did get to see the student’s finished products and even taste a slice which was delicious! 

Yay for being dog-friendly! 

They have a food vendor here which sells hamburgers and other various entrees using Rancho Guejito’s beef.  If you want the best-tasting, most humane beef around, definitely try out what’s on their menu for the day!  Even better, order one of their beef boxes so you can have great meat all month long!