Winemaker Name
Ross Rizzo Jr. (4th generation, head winemaker since 2008) & Matty Ward (UC Davis Viticulture & Enology) & Adam Edwards (4th gen family member)
Region
About The Winery
Bernardo Winery is the oldest continuously operating winery in Southern California, founded in 1889 on part of the La Cañada de San Bernardo Spanish land grant in what is now Rancho Bernardo. The Rizzo family bought it in 1927 and still runs it today, with third-generation winemaker Ross Rizzo making wine from grapes grown in San Diego County, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Merlot and Zinfandel. The original winery building, with its gravity-fed concrete fermenters and redwood vats more than 130 years old, has been kept intact for history's sake.
What to expect: more than a tasting room. Bernardo is a small village of its own, with a wine bar, an on-site kitchen, an artist village of shops and galleries, shaded patios, gazebo reservations and several event venues for weddings and parties. It is open Wednesday through Sunday and makes an easy half-day trip from anywhere in the city, about 25 miles north of downtown San Diego.
Nearby: Bernardo is a short drive from the Escondido and San Pasqual Valley wineries, including Orfila Vineyards and Cordiano Winery. See our North County wineries guide and plan the day with the Wine Tasting Day Trip Builder.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Bernardo Winery?
It was founded in 1889, making it the oldest continuously operating winery in Southern California.
Who owns Bernardo Winery?
The Rizzo family, who bought it in 1927. Third-generation winemaker Ross Rizzo runs it today.
When is Bernardo Winery open?
Wednesday through Sunday, generally 11 am to 8 pm (6 pm on Sunday), per Google. Call 858-487-1866 to confirm.
Is there more to do than wine tasting?
Yes. The property has a kitchen, artisan shops and galleries, gazebo reservations, wine classes and event venues.
Own or manage Bernardo Winery? Claim this listing for free with the Claim button on this page to add your photos, hours, wines and story.
Founding Year
1889
Vineyard Acreage
13-acre property in Rancho Bernardo on the original La Cañada de San Bernardo Spanish Land Grant — 5 acres of estate vineyards. 7,500 cases annually from 100% San Diego County grapes.
Know Before You Go
- Dog Friendly: No
- Reservations: Walk Ins Welcome
- Estate Type: Mixed
Awards & Recognition
Southern California's oldest continuously operating winery — founded 1889, family-owned by the Rizzo Family since 1927. Survived Prohibition by producing sacramental wine. At its peak, produced over 100,000 gallons per vintage with distribution from Tijuana to Los Angeles. 4th generation winemaker Ross Rizzo Jr. took the reins in 2008. Head winemaker Matty Ward is a UC Davis Viticulture & Enology graduate. Produces award-winning Syrah, Petite Sirah, Merlot, Viognier, Sangiovese, Albariño, and Chardonnay — all from San Diego County grapes. A rare 50-year Tawny Port blend (1952 & 1962 vintages) is one of California's most extraordinary historical wine artifacts.
Private Event Availability
Bernardo Winery is one of San Diego's premier destination winery venues — hosting weddings, corporate events, and private parties for groups of 3 to 300 in multiple venue settings on the 13-acre historic property. The Kitchen Restaurant serves rustic Sicilian/Old California fare including wood-fired pizza and housemade pasta. Village shops, Manzanita coffee roastery, gelato shop, and rotating art galleries all on-site. Contact 858-487-1866 for event pricing. Open Wednesday–Sunday.
Location
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13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte, San Diego, CA 92128, USA
![Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsipsandiegowine.com%2Flisting%2Fbernardo-winery%2F"e=Bernardo+Winery&description=Bernardo+Winery+is+the+oldest+continuously+operating+winery+in+Southern+California%2C+founded+in+1889+on+part+of+the+La+Ca%C3%B1ada+de+San+Bernardo+Spanish+land+grant+in+what+is+now+Rancho+Bernardo.+The+Rizzo+family+bought+it+in+1927+and+still+runs+it+today%2C+with+third-generation+winemaker+Ross+Rizzo+making+wine+from+grapes+grown+in+San+Diego+County%2C+including+Cabernet+Sauvignon%2C+Petite+Sirah%2C+Syrah%2C+Merlot+and+Zinfandel.+The+original+winery+building%2C+with+its+gravity-fed+concrete+fermenters+and+redwood+vats+more+than+130+years+old%2C+has+been+kept+intact+for+history%27s+sake.What+to+expect%3A+more+than+a+tasting+room.+Bernardo+is+a+small+village+of+its+own%2C+with+a+wine+bar%2C+an+on-site+kitchen%2C+an+artist+village+of+shops+and+galleries%2C+shaded+patios%2C+gazebo+reservations+and+several+event+venues+for+weddings+and+parties.+It+is+open+Wednesday+through+Sunday+and+makes+an+easy+half-day+trip+from+anywhere+in+the+city%2C+about+25+miles+north+of+downtown+San+Diego.Nearby%3A+Bernardo+is+a+short+drive+from+the+Escondido+and+San+Pasqual+Valley+wineries%2C+including+Orfila+Vineyards+and+Cordiano+Winery.+See+our+North+County+wineries+guide+and+plan+the+day+with+the+Wine+Tasting+Day+Trip+Builder.Frequently+asked+questionsHow+old+is+Bernardo+Winery%3FIt+was+founded+in+1889%2C+making+it+the+oldest+continuously+operating+winery+in+Southern+California.Who+owns+Bernardo+Winery%3FThe+Rizzo+family%2C+who+bought+it+in+1927.+Third-generation+winemaker+Ross+Rizzo+runs+it+today.When+is+Bernardo+Winery+open%3FWednesday+through+Sunday%2C+generally+11+am+to+8+pm+%286+pm+on+Sunday%29%2C+per+Google.+Call+858-487-1866+to+confirm.Is+there+more+to+do+than+wine+tasting%3FYes.+The+property+has+a+kitchen%2C+artisan+shops+and+galleries%2C+gazebo+reservations%2C+wine+classes+and+event+venues.Own+or+manage+Bernardo+Winery%3F+Claim+this+listing+for+free+with+the+Claim+button+on+this+page+to+add+your+photos%2C+hours%2C+wines+and+story.&picture=https%3A%2F%2Fsipsandiegowine.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F12%2Fdownload-1.jpg){kind=link}
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