East County Uncorked: Exploring Dulzura Winery and Hillside Ranch Winery
In San Diego, we’re lucky enough to have multiple wine trails and regions to visit. The Highway 94 Wineries in East County offer exceptional wines and a casual, relaxed vibe, besides being very close to home. Just a quick drive from Rancho San Diego, you get to Jamul, and here is where the wine trails begin. This 2-lane rural road stretches from Jamul to Dulzura and onward to Deerhorn Valley. You can enjoy panoramic views of the mountains, ranches, vineyards, ancient oak trees, and rustic scenery, and then taste small-batch wines, learn about the winemaking process, and, more than likely, be hosted by the winery owner or winemaker. Now is the chance to ask all those questions about grapes, the land, the winemaking process, sustainable farming, or wine in general.
Currently, six wineries comprise the Highway 94 wineries, with the newest winery, Hillside Ranch Winery, opened January 1, 2026. All of the wineries offer red, white, and rosé wines. Some even offer sparkling wines and wine cocktails.
I visited two wineries this month to have a look around.
Dulzura Winery
Located in Dulzura, this charming winery is located on the pioneer-era Clark Ranch, which was established in 1885. Today, it is still owned by the Clark family and boasts buildings that date back to 1906. Sit and sip your wine next to their babbling brook, in a citrus and palm tree grove. Visit the observation deck overlooking the vineyards and explore the ranch. They also offer an Airbnb unit for an idyllic weekend getaway.
Located on the historic Clark Ranch, homesteaded in 1885, it is still owned by the Clark family. The tasting room was once the “Pickleized Fig House” where in 1902, Lila Clark produced and sold her famous pickleized figs.
Winery co-owners Grant Spotts and Terry Winnette have been collaborating since 2008, when they planted four acres of grapes. 2011 was the year that they grew their vineyard by adding Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, and Chardonnay.
Today, they have partnered with neighbor Valentina Vineyards in planting a European grape called Debit. It is native to the Dalmatian coastal region of Croatia. It is a white grape with a history dating back hundreds of years in Europe. This aromatic wine is “lively, bright and complex”. They are selling half-bottles of this wine (so everyone can get a taste, since it’s a small production).
Also, from Valentina Vineyard, across the highway from Dulzura Winery, they source Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Merlot. They also have a nice selection of white wines, a dry Riesling, a savory Viognier and a Chardonnay.
Every year changes, so you never know what delicious wines you’ll find. They offer so many wines, there’s sure to be one or ten that you love!
Open Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 am- 5:00 pm, or by appointment during the week. For more details, go to https://dulzurawinery.com/
Hillside Ranch Vineyard
The newest winery in Jamul, which opened in January 1, 2026, is also an event center. Donna Hendrix, the owner and is also an interior (and exterior) designer, has designed the tasting room as well as a separate house/event center that many people use for weddings. The tasting room is spacious with indoor/outdoor seating overlooking the vineyards and valleys beyond. It showcases a lovely live-edge bar. The walls display photos of the history of her and her now deceased husband from when they purchased the property in the 1970s, and all of the changes they’ve made to the property. Unfortunately, her husband passed away before she had the idea to start a winery, so he never got to see her shine in this business.
Donna’s daughter and son-in-law are the winemakers. They’re having so much fun trying different varietals and trying some with natural yeasts vs curated yeasts. They currently reside in Seattle, but are gaining many frequent flyer miles commuting between the north and south of the West Coast.
What a relaxing way to spend a Saturday afternoon, sitting on the patio and tasting through the line-up with friends. As my husband said, “There’s not a bad wine in all of the line-up.”
Located at 14165 Hillside Drive in Jamul. For more details, go to: https://hillsideranchvineyard.com/
To plan your outing or for more detailed information, go to: https://www.thewineriesonhighway94.com/