LIFESTYLE
T
here are more than 100 wineries,
vineyards and wine-related busi-
nesses in northern San Diego
County and Temecula, but forgive Orfila
Vineyards and Winery for not being overly
concerned by the competition.
Now in its 26th year of oper-
ation, the ultra-premium small
production vineyard and win-
ery in the San Pasqual Valley
near the city of Escondido feels
it has the perfect combination
of production, people and
place to stand out.
"When you have fantastic
wine, great customer service
and a gorgeous location, you will keep
guests coming back for more," said Tasting
Room Manager Tom Blankenbeker. "Our
Escondido vineyard property is sitting on
one of the most picturesque locations that
you can find anywhere in the world."
It's also adjacent to one of the top public
golf courses in the area, American Golf-
managed The Vineyard at Escondido,
where members of The Players Card pro-
gram recently sampled Orfila wines at a
special event.
Though known for its premium wines
made from high-quality grapes grown in
either its Escondido locale or top-notch
vineyards in California and Oregon, Orfila
produces a wide range of varietals. Whether
you prefer Spanish reds, Italian whites,
rosés or fortified wine, Winemaker Justin
Mund said the quality and diversity of Or-
fila's wines are two of its secrets to success.
"The wine is the key component to Or-
fila's success," Mund said. "We make many
wines from our Estate Vineyards and fruit
from vineyards throughout California and
Oregon. We have a good diversity of wines
that meet the needs of many preferences."
Along with its beautiful estate winery
where wines can be tasted or bought, Or-
fila recently opened a tasting room in
Oceanside. It is an extension of the estate
winery but located in "an urban beach en-
vironment," Blankenbeker said. The same
wines and shareable food plates are of-
fered in the tasting room as the winery, but
unlike the Escondido headquarters, the
tasting room "is a new building with a
more modern upscale design and feeling
than the estate, which is more rustic" he
said. "We are steps away from the pier and
the train station, which makes it a very
convenient spot for tourists."
But wherever you decide to try or buy
Orfila's wines, Blankenbeker says you will
have a memorable experience.
"It is a beautiful place to sit back and
enjoy some of the best things about South-
ern California no matter which tasting
room you are in," he said.
SWEET SPOT
Orfila Vineyards and Winery stands out nicely in San Diego County
AN INSIDE
LOOK!
> CLICK HERE to visit
Orfila Vineyards and
Winery online.
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> CLICK HERE for details
on wine tastings, daily
tours and private groups.
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> CLICK HERE to visit
the Orfila wine shop.
