Ramona Art and Wine Festival to Be Held in Mt. Woodson

The 2nd annual Ramona Art and Wine Festival will be held at the historic Amy Strong Castle at Mt. Woodson in Ramona, Calif. on Saturday, November 1, 2014, from noon to 5:00 p.m.  Tickets go on sale August 1 on the Festival website (ramonaartandwinefest.net), and like last year, the Festival is expected to sell out.

Guests will enjoy tasting handcrafted wine from area wineries and food prepared by area chefs. Artists will display and sell their work. Highlighting the event is a live auction of wine barrels painted by local artists.  

A V.I.P. Preview Brunch is scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to noon on the day of the event and a Spring 2015 Wine Maker’s Dinner for those who purchase V.I.P. tickets. The proceeds from the Festival will be used to benefit the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project, Inc., with the mission to celebrate Ramona’s rich cultural heritage through an outdoor visual arts program.

Not normally open to the public, The Amy Strong Castle at Mt. Woodson, one of only two “castles” in San Diego County, offers a unique indoor and outdoor venue for the Festival.  While tasting wine and checking out the art, attendees can explore this multi-level, 27-room 12,000 square foot castle completed in 1921 for dress designer Amy Strong, who had it built as her dream home.  

Participating Local Wineries

To date, the following 12 area wineries will offer tastings of their wine: 

Altipiano Vineyard & Winery; Cactus Star Vineyard at Scaredy Cat Ranch; Hatfield Creek Vineyards & Winery; Hellanback Ranch & Vineyard; Highland Hills Winery; Mahogany Mountain Vineyard & Winery; Pamo Valley Winery; Ramona Ranch Vineyard & Winery; Schwaesdall Winery; Turtle Rock Ridge Vineyard & Winery; Vineyard Grant James; Woof ‘n Rose Winery & Vineyard.

Participating Artists and Barrel Painters

Festival organizers will place the painted wine barrels on display at various business hosts in September for the public to view in advance of the Festival.  Advance reserve bids may be placed on the barrels for those unable to attend the auction. More hosts are needed, in addition to D’Carlos Restaurant and the San Vicente Resort. Any business interested in hosting a barrel, please contact Lyttleton@sv-mail.com or call (760) 787-1102. 

The six artists painting barrels for this event have been selected.  Artists interested in displaying their art at the Festival will find the information and application on the website or should contact ArtistsRAWF@gmail.com

Participating Chefs

To date, Chef Kitty Brisendine of Something Delicious; Personal Touch Dining; Chef Ben, Oaks Grille at San Vicente Resort; and Trezette’s Catering will be offering gourmet small bites. Others interested in showcasing their talents are asked to contact: Kathie LePage, Event Coordinator at avintageindustry@cox.net

Presenters of Ramona Art and Wine Festival

The Ramona Art and Wine Festival is presented by four local Ramona organizations:

The Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project, Inc. 

All proceeds from this event are to benefit H.E.A.R.T. created to increase tourism, community pride, and celebrate cultural heritage through an outdoor visual arts program. “H” – Historic & Hiking; “E” – Equine; “A” – Arts, Antiques, Agriculture, “R” – scenic Rural vistas & drives; “T” – Tasting of fine wines. 

Ramona Valley Vineyard Association  

Founded in 2001 to focus on community, education, sustainable operation of vineyards and wineries, and taking a leadership role within the San Diego County wine grape industry. Ramona has more than 100 vineyards with 26 tasting rooms. 

Ramona Valley Wine Region Magazine

A consumer and trade publication covering the Ramona Valley wine-grape growing region and emerging San Diego area wineries.  The magazine encourages sustainability, shares food and wine pairing ideas, and supports local equestrian industry. The Magazine also provides an up-to-date, comprehensive map of the Ramona and Highland Valley wineries. 

Ramona Art Guild

The Ramona Art Guild is a non-profit organization that provides the community of Ramona, Calif. opportunities to advance their knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts as well as to display and sell their art. Scholarships are given to encourage young artists in their pursuit of the arts.

Sponsors

In addition to the Presenters, sponsors to date include: The Bank of Southern California; C&C Sales and Marketing - Glass Tech; Event Coordinator, A Vintage Industry; Joyce T Strand, Author; Ramona Chamber of Commerce; Ramona Gold Olive Oil; Sky Valley Network; and wine barrel donors Altipiano, Hatfield Creek, and Ramona Ranch Wineries.