Go Figure! While the weather has been a little wacky over the past couple of months here in Southern California, this Saturday called for a special excursion. The clouds were white and puffy in the sky and the inland temperature was mid-seventies – you couldn’t ask for a more perfect day! I was so happy!

Wine-tasting at a local winery in Escondido fit the bill – my friend Theresa just got a job pouring every weekend, and my wife Kim and I hadn’t been there yet. Time to fix things.

 

You can’t miss the Orfila sign on San Pasqual Valley Road! Fuji X-T4, 10-24mm lens, 24mm focal length, 1/60th sec, ƒ/22. Post-processing: Lightroom+ Radiant Photo

 

The San Diego county and Temecula areas are becoming increasingly known for producing excellent wines. There are 115+ wineries in San Diego and nearly 50 in the Temecula area. That’s a LOT of barrels being produced!

 

The vineyards seem to stretch on forever next to the entrance road Fuji X-T4, 10-24mm lens, 10mm focal length, 1/250th sec, ƒ/16. Post-processing: Lightroom + Radiant Photo

 

Excellent signs inform guests of what is growing.
Fuji X-T4, 10-24mm lens, 10mm focal length, 1/125th sec, ƒ/18. Post-processing: Lightroom + Radiant Photo

 

Orfila Winery is located just east of Kit Carson park in Escondido on San Pasqual road, about a mile down. When the road opens up and begins to descend into the valley, take a right at the sign. You can’t miss their sign on the road and the rows upon rows of grapevines nestled into the hills.

We got there early to avoid crowds but there was still a good crowd. We first commandeered a nice wooden table in the courtyard, but soon moved to a sweet table overlooking the vineyards under a cool wooden pavilion. My wife chose the “Wine Slushy” for her first drink and I went to the tasting menu to sample a variety.

 

Wine slushies – verified delicious!
Fuji X-T4, 10-24mm lens, 13.8mm focal length, 1/125th sec, ƒ/16. Post-processing: Lightroom + Radiant Photo

 

Views of the valley abound.
Fuji X-T4, 10-24mm lens, 24mm focal length, 1/125th sec, ƒ/16. Post-processing: Lightroom + Radiant Photo

 

The atmosphere filled with the chatter of a couple dozen people and dogs occasionally barked at one another. A slight wind blew through the trees, keeping things very comfortable, while a musician began to set up for an afternoon set. Looking out from our view was a nice grassy slope, leading right to long lines of vine poles, and in the background one of the rocky mountains of San Pasqual Valley.

 

San Pasqual Valley. Grapes for making Cabernet Sauvignon in the foreground.
Fuji X-T4, 35mm lens, 1/250th sec, ƒ/13. Post-processing: Lightroom + Radiant Photo

 

Kim went to investigate a food truck that was emanating delicious BBQ smells and soon returned with a brisket salad to offset the wine we were drinking.

 

The Food Truck and a delicious meal
Fuji X-T4, 35mm lens, 1/250th sec, ƒ/10. Post-processing: Lightroom + Radiant Photo

The table to the left had four humans and two dogs and they began talking about Porsches when a sweet mustard-colored ‘69 911 left the parking lot. I was dying to chime in, but kept my opinions of the best Porsche ever created to myself – ha! The table to the right of us also had four people, but their conversations were more racy and loud, punctuated by the cackles of folks who were clearly feeling the effects of the 3 bottles on their table. 

I took a stroll back inside the winery building, to browse through the angles and see their displays.

 

A lovely lighted sign greets you as you enter the winery
Fuji X-T4, 35mm lens, 1/60th sec, ƒ/5. Post-processing: Lightroom + Radiant Photo

 

Wine Slushies!

Tasty treats

Pleasant service from Teresa

Private behind-the-scenes tour!

Live music too!

Super fun afternoon

Take a trip to one of our lovely rural valleys in San Diego and stop at Orfila Winery - you'll be glad you did!