La Serenissima Vineyards & Winery

La Serenissima Vineyards & Winery is a 20-acre estate winery at about 3,500 feet in Warner Springs, in San Diego's mountain backcountry. The name means "the most serene," and the winery is a Venetian family story: founder John Tiso was born in Italy, where his family had made wine near Padua for generations, and he bought the Warner Springs property in 1999 to carry that tradition on. His son Tony now leads the winemaking.

What to expect: natural, handcrafted wines made the old way from estate-grown grapes, crushed and aged in oak at the vineyard. The winery is set up on a hill so gravity moves the wine through production. Visits are by appointment, and the signature experience is a 90-minute tour that starts in the vineyard, walks through the winemaking process and ends in the cellar with tastings straight from the barrel. Look for the bright red building on Highway 79.

Nearby: Hawk Watch Winery and Emerald Creek Winery are both on the same stretch of Highway 79, so the three make a natural backcountry wine day. Plan it with our Wine Tasting Day Trip Builder, and see San Diego wine country by region for the bigger picture.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an appointment to visit La Serenissima?
Yes. Tours and tastings are by appointment only. Call 951-326-0205 to arrange a visit.

What is the tour like?
About 90 minutes, from the vineyard through the winery to the barrel cellar, with tastings poured directly from the casks.

What kind of wine does La Serenissima make?
Naturally made, handcrafted wines from estate-grown grapes, following traditional Venetian methods.

Is there a wine club?
Yes. The Council Wine Club ships six or twelve bottles twice a year with a 20 percent member discount.

Own or manage La Serenissima Vineyards & Winery? Claim this listing for free with the Claim button on this page to add your photos, hours, wines and story.