Plants Roots in Ramona with 14 Varietals and Big Ambitions
Daniel Castro and Don Kerl, partners in life and the newest winery to open in Ramona opened in August 2024. Don is the CFO and Daniel is the winemaker. It has been a long journey, starting in 2018. There is a lot of red tape with the County of San Diego- lots of frustration. There are numerous additional financial expenditures to accommodate various County departments. However, all of that is now behind them, and they can focus solely on their wines, customers, and community.
Daniel studied Food and Nutritional Science with an emphasis in Oenology at Fresno State in the 1990s. He went to San Francisco and sold wine Direct-to-Consumer, at Draeger’s Market in Menlo Park. He put on his calendar, “I am moving to Sonoma in a year,” – and he did. He moved to the Russian River. He bought some Merlot grapes from Buena Vista Winery and started as a home vintner.
Eventually, he landed in San Diego- well, Julian to be exact- on Poco Montaña Road where he planted his first vineyard. Thus, the name of his vineyard and winery.
“I’m currently growing 14 grape varietals in Ramona. I want to see what grapes grow best in our soil,” Castro said. “We have Nebbiolo, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Malbec, Merlot – just to name some of them.”
Although they are currently a small producer, they do still have a few wines available. Daniel is particularly excited about his first white wine that he’s produced, a 2024 Albariño from Ballena Vista Farms east of Ramona. Tasting notes describe it as a refreshing white with tropical notes, granite minerality, and sharp acidity.
Daniel has crafted a rose called Le Petite Rose, which is a blend of Muscat Bland and Malbec. According to the tasting notes, “This charming blend dances on your palate with its off-dry sweetness and aromatic flair. The wine captures aromas of orange blossom and apricots in every sip.”
The 2020 Merlot is a local favorite. It was aged in neutral oak for four years. It’s smooth and sophisticated and ready to drink now.
He also has a Bordeaux blend called Le Petite Lion, which is a blend of Merlot, Petite Sirah, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. The tasting notes say aromas of black fruit and dried herbs with balanced acidity and structure. Flavors of blackberry jam, bell pepper, cedar, anise and baked spice. Doesn’t sound petite to me!
“We had some wine barrels that went wrong, so we sent the wine to Old Julian Winery to distill into a grape spirit,” Castro said. “I made a La Lion Citronné, a citrus dessert wine, which is similar to a Limoncello, but based on grape spirits.” He also made a Le Grand Lion, a port-style red dessert wine blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, aged in American Bourbon barrels for four years.
Besides making wine, Daniel is a very accomplished cook. He loves to create Italian food. He recently received his Micro Kitchen Enterprise Permit and plans on hosting dinner in the vineyard. He is a member of two garden clubs and a hiking club.
Poco Montana is open on Saturdays from 1:00 pm- 6:00 pm. They are located at 23136 Vista Ramona Road, Ramona, CA 92065