San Diego’s Oldest Vineyard and Winery

The Short Version

01 ·

What Is the History of Bernardo Winery?

Bernardo Winery was founded in 1889 by the Lanza and Licata families on land that was part of the La Cañada de San Bernardo Spanish land grant — a quaint valley in what is now the Rancho Bernardo neighborhood of San Diego. The founders chose the site deliberately: water sat only a few feet underground, the slopes were gentle and ideally suited to viticulture, and the terrain was laid out in a way that allowed gravity to move wine through the production process. It was, as they put it, one of the finest places to grow grapes in all of Southern California. History has not argued with them.

The winery made it through Prohibition — no small feat. Bernardo diversified, producing sacramental wine for the Catholic Church and pressing olive oil from the grove of olive trees already on the property, selling it to San Diego’s tuna canning industry. There were also gallons of grape juice leaving the property that, as the story goes, had a tendency to ferment by the time they reached the end of the long dusty driveway. By 1934 — just one year after Prohibition was repealed — Bernardo had already produced 23,813 gallons of wine, according to a State Board of Equalization report from that year. By the mid-20th century, production had climbed to more than 100,000 gallons per vintage, and distribution ran from Tijuana to Los Angeles.

02 ·

Who Are the Rizzo Family Behind Bernardo Winery?

The Rizzo chapter of Bernardo’s story started with a hunting trip. In 1927, Vincent Rizzo was walking through the tall sagebrush of North County San Diego when he came across a large production winery for sale. He bought it — and what followed became, in the winery’s own words, an endearing journey and labor of love. During Prohibition, Vincent pressed olive oil from the estate’s trees and sold sacramental wine to the church, keeping the enterprise alive when the law left most American wineries with no other path.

That line captures one of Bernardo’s harder chapters. When Vincent Rizzo passed in 1973, the first 200 acres were sold. The 1980s and 1990s brought more development pressure, and by 2012 the last 200 acres had gone to developers for what became Old Winery Estates. Production dipped to a low of 500 gallons in 1990. But rather than fold, the family pivoted — shifting the winery’s focus from commercial-scale production to becoming a destination: a dining, art, and shopping experience woven into the historic property. When Ross Rizzo Sr. passed in 2008, the third generation stepped in and, as the family tells it, launched things into high gear — not by abandoning the old ambiance, but by leaning into it.

Rizzo Family Milestones

03 ·

What Makes Bernardo Winery a Destination, Not Just a Winery?

The winery is 13 acres now — a fraction of its original footprint — but it manages to feel like its own small town. The core of the property is the courtyard, where century-old winery buildings cluster around tasting areas, gardens, and the Manzanita Roasting Coffee House. From there, the Artist Village fans out: a collection of locally owned artisan shops, galleries, and working studios where you can take your glass of wine with you as you browse. There’s also a gelato shop with hand-crafted chocolates, a great option for non-drinkers and kids.

The Kitchen is the culinary anchor — it draws from Grandpa Vincent’s Sicilian recipes and leans into Old California tradition, turning out wood-fired pizza, housemade pastas, and fresh salads. The whole property is built around a rare hospitality premise: nobody has to be just here for the wine tasting.

Kids can grab a smoothie or a scoop of gelato, parents can settle in with a glass, and the whole party can stay as long as they want across the winery’s big grassy area and open courtyard. For families who’ve felt unwelcome at sleek, adult-only tasting rooms, Bernardo is a revelation. The energy here is neighborly in a way that’s hard to manufacture and clearly comes from a century of the same family making the same welcome.

04 ·

What Wines Does Bernardo Winery Make?

Every wine on the Bernardo list is produced exclusively from San Diego County grapes — a distinction that’s rarer than it sounds in California, and one that anchors the winery firmly in its terroir. The range runs from bright whites and rosés through full-bodied reds, sparkling wines, and a dessert program with deep Old California roots, including an extraordinary 50-Year Special Reserve Tawny Port.

Current Wine List Highlights

The Burgundy is worth a special mention: a stylistically light, gently extracted table red that’s been made at Bernardo for more than 80 years, which puts its recipe in continuous production since the post-Prohibition revival. And the 50-Year Reserve Tawny Port — a blend of the 1952 and 1962 vintages, bottled in 2008 in honor of Ross Rizzo Sr. — is one of the more singular things you’ll find in any California tasting room. Wine tastings are $32 for six wines of your choice. For a lighter commitment, flights run $20 for three three-ounce pours.

05 ·

How Do You Plan a Visit to Bernardo Winery?

The winery is open Wednesday through Sunday, closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and no reservations are needed for general visits. The tasting room and Kitchen are open 11am–8pm Wednesday through Saturday and 11am–6pm on Sundays. Manzanita coffee house opens earlier, at 9am. The village shops are open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am–6pm, though hours can vary by individual shop. The property is all-ages, and children need to remain with their party at all times. Pets are not permitted, with the exception of ADA-recognized service animals.

Beyond casual visits, Bernardo hosts a full calendar of events year-round. The weekly Farmers Market on Friday mornings, live music, wine education classes through WSET, Paint and Sip evenings, seasonal celebrations, and ticketed concerts keep the property lively on any given weekend. The winery also hosts private events for groups from 20 to 1,200, with multiple indoor and outdoor venues including the Barrel Room, Rosario’s, Vito’s Venue, and the Pepper Tree Lawn — making it one of the more versatile event destinations in North San Diego.

Bernardo Winery is at 13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte, San Diego, CA — about 25 miles north of downtown. Visit bernardowinery.com for the full events calendar, ticketed reservations, and to join the Amici Wine Club for member discounts of 20–30% on wine purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bernardo Winery

🍷 Bernardo Winery at a Glance

The fast facts on Southern California’s oldest winery