Wineries in Ramona and surrounding areas were featured at the annual Cheers to the Valley Wine Festival.
About 10 wineries were ed by several food and crafts vendors on a sunny spring day at Begent Ranch in Ramona for the April 5 wine-tasting event.
The mellow gathering attracted Ramona residents Jodi and Rob Reid and their friends Crystal and Rand Burlington.
“We love the wineries in Ramona,” said Jodi Reid, adding that they often drive their Meyers Manx dune buggy to local wineries on weekends.
Rob Reid said that wine-tasting events like Cheers to the Valley are a good opportunity for winery owners to promote their businesses.
“This is an absolutely wonderful way to spend the day and I appreciate the friendly vintners,” he said.
The Reids said they were glad Scenic Valley Ranch of Ramona was part of the event and serving “fantastic reds.” And all four said they thought the wines being poured by Poco Montana Vineyards & Winery of Ramona were “top-notch.”
Cheers to the Valley was Poco Montana’s first official event since the business opened last August, said winemaker Daniel Castro and assistant winemaker Brenna Kelly. The winery is open 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturdays at 23136 Vista Ramona Road.
The eclectic group of vintners at the event served a variety of wines and touted their awards.
Dennis McGrath of Scenic Valley Ranch Vineyard poured an Albarino Spanish varietal along with a red blend named “The Last Scene” that has a backstory connected to the “Sideways” movie about a wine country fling.
McGrath said Scenic Valley Ranch made national news with its two Gold Medals and three Silver Medals earned at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition in January. Organizers of that contest said more than 50 judges evaluated over 5,500 wines produced by 950-plus wineries.
Mermaid Valley Vineyard of Ramona owners Scott and Kim Flinn brought a selection of whites, reds and roses to Cheers to the Valley. Their pours included Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Grenache, Merlot, Sirahs and their flagship wine named “Siren’s Song,” which is a Grenache Syrah Mourvedre.
Scott Flinn said Mermaid Valley has won five Double Gold Medals at various wine competitions, including the International Sommelier Convention held last fall in downtown San Diego.
Andrea and Thomas Grover of San Diego Country Estates said they came to the event to relax and enjoy the ambiance of the outdoor event, which was co-hosted by the Ramona Chamber of Commerce and the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA).
“We’re here to taste the wine and to get to know our neighbors,” Andrea Grover said. “It’s awesome. I love the snacks and the different vendors.”
