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Orfila Vineyards & Winery
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Wineries Food Wineries Event Planning & Services Venues & Event Spaces Wineries, Venues & Event Spaces [Edit]
13455 San Pasqual Rd(between Sierra Linda Dr & Ryan Dr)
Escondido, CA 92025
(800) 868-9463
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 10 am - 6 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
67 reviews for Orfila Vineyards & Winery
67 reviews in English
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Review from George W.
Escondido, San Diego, CA
9/15/2011
We were looking for a wedding venue when we found Orfila. Being in Southern California, we wanted to have our wedding near the beach. However, many of the resorts and locations lacked a personal, boutique feel. In fact, my friend had recently gotten married at L'Aubuerge and during the ceremony, people at the bar were shouting and kids were doing cannonballs. We wanted something more intimate. Even some of the vineyards in the Temecula area had a corporate feel to it.
Our friends and I went wine tasting one Saturday afternoon and they took us to Orfila. Game over. It was just what we were looking for. A beautiful backdrop with the San Pasqual range and the vineyard for the ceremony. The outdoor venue was perfect to let our guest roam free about the grounds and explore. There were no wedding crashers from the tasting room. And to think that this vineyard is only minutes from where we live. We have gotten so many compliments on our wedding about the venue, it really affirmed our decision to have it there. And the wine was pretty good, too. Personal favorites are the rose and the sparkling.
We did a lot of the planning ourselves, but in the end, Stefi Habermann was the hero of the hour. She was there from beginning to end. She was a great liaison between our production crew, the caterer, the florist, the audio-visual crew, the bar staff, and her own staff. She must have been running like a chicken without a head the entire night because she was literally everywhere making sure that anything they needed was handled promptly. She truly gave us the personal service that we were looking for and made our wedding a spectacular event. I even think she enjoyed herself; she does love what she does. Thank you, Stefi, for all your hard work and energy. -
Review from jennifer l.
San Francisco, CA
2/9/2012
After going to wineries in Napa and Sonoma, I can't say that San Diego / Escondido really compares. Still, this place was really nice and relaxing.
It's right near the Wild Animal Park where all the ostrich farms. I like the location because it's a nice place for a day trip! There are ostrich farms / other things to do around the area if you don't want to spend the entire time wine tasting.
I came here on a little double date last summer. It's only $10 for six wine tastings!!! I thought it was very much worth it. We tried a bunch of different types between the four of us, brought our wines outside, and took turns refilling the glasses. There were benches around and a lot of grassy areas to sit on + have a picnic, so bring bread / cheese / lunch / snacks!! So relaxing.
We took pictures in the vineyards, and just played some "Monopoly Deal." What a relaxing afternoon :)
A few tips:
1) Definitely bring a blanket or something to picnic on
2) Bring food! For the picnic :)
3) Bring a game! Or just chat with your friends
4) Make friends with the servers because they will probably give you more wine if you are nicer. Don't forget to tip, too. That always helps!! -
Review from Joy M.
Chicago, IL
1/21/2012
I didn't expect much before coming here, because I visit Napa Valley every year. Boy, was I wrong! The view and scenery was breath taking! If you're a red, must try the 2008 ambassador syrah, and the petit syrah. I was a little annoyed that the guy serving us kept ignoring us. He was much more interested in socializing with a couple, who seemed to be usuals there. After trying to get his attention about about 10 mins, we walked around and got someone else to help us. I don't remember his name, but he was awesome! Very helpful with selecting your next tasting.
Next time around, I would pack a blanket and food for a picnic. As Orfila allows you to bring your wine outside. They have an awesome outdoor seating area, that have tables and benches or grass area. -
Review from Isabella B.
Chula Vista, CA
1/8/2012
My friends and I were on the way to the San Diego Safari Park (formerly known as the Wild Animal Park) when we came across a sign with a familiar terrain:
Me: There's a winery out here? We HAVE to check it out, guys!
Good thing that the winery is open from 10-6. Smart of them to entertain the people coming back from the park for an hour after the park closes.
Inside there is a central area where the wine tasting occurs, followed by an outside area where tables are set up for picnics overlooking the field. Though they don't have food served, there's a little area near the entrance to the outside area where you can find cheese and crackers to enjoy your wine with. The people there were very helpful in describing the aromas and taste of the wine.
$10 gives you a taste of any six wines listed on their menu, along with a complimentary wine glass. For that amount of money, and for how much wine they give you (which was equivalent to about a bit more than a glass), it's a sweet deal for good wine.
Wines were tasted in the following order, as recommended by listing:
1. 2008 Sparkling Moscato Bianco - one of the two wines that stood out, with a noticeable aroma and taste of peaches and nectarines. Bubbly and crisp, I agree that it would be good served on a Sunday brunch or as an alternative to mimosas, as all the flavor is from the wine itself.
2. 2010 Estate Rose - I had to try a bit harder than usual to pick up the watermelon flavor, as my palate was still affected from the moscato. The rose was also sweet, though not as sweet as the moscato.
3. 2009 Estate Montepulciano - the most bitter out of all the wines I tried, though not as bitter as if I were to try Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir. It is basically like a Syrah with extra bitterness.
4. 2008 Estate Ambassador's Reserve Syrah - Rich and spicy wine. Balanced flavor that is not dry at all.
5. 2008 Estate Petite Sirah - There is a reason why petite sirah is my favorite grape, as the varietal tastes like blueberries. The subtle hint of cocoa gives it a nice touch.
6. California Tawny Port, NV - the other wine that stood out. The description mentions "mocha" and "raisins", which I immediately picked up. They give you several pieces of 61% cocoa dark chocolate, which complemented the port quite well. The smooth and bittersweet chocolate balanced the tartness of the raisin-like taste of the port. I picked up a bottle of this for my friend who has an upcoming birthday.
All of us didn't think we'd be going wine tasting after visiting the park, but it was an unexpected pleasant surprise as it gave us the opportunity to wind down and rest and see scenery of a different kind after looking at animals the entire day. With complementary tours being offered at noon and with all that I had experienced that day, I would like to go back here and have a small picnic outside along with a bottle of their sparkling muscato or tawny port. I'm hoping to give it one extra star once I am there to tour the winery as opposed to another activity to do after the park. -
Review from Yuki J.
Escondido, CA
12/30/2011
I go there every 3-4 months to pick up my bottles and enjoy free wine tasting. This free wine tasting is applicable to your guests as long as you are OWL member, pretty good deal.
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Review from Jennifer J.
San Diego, CA
10/14/2011
I am reviewing the winery for it's special occasion affairs.
Came here for a wedding last weekend and the grounds alone, make for a very romantic sunset wedding. Over looking the vineyard and the San Pasqual Valley. Quite a majestic scene.
The event tent the winery supplies also over looks this area. Plenty of parking, the restroom facilities are kept clean and tidy while the event is going on and the staff was friendly, helpful and always had a smile on their faces.
The only downfall I see it is a little bit off of the beaten path, but well worth it. Just gotta remember to sober up before driving away from your grand night.
Looking to throw a kick-ass party, up scale style? I would give this place a chance! -
Review from Alex D.
10/7/2011
The Orfila Winery in Escondido is a great place to go wine tasting on a sunny weekend afternoon. Show up at noon for a guided 25-minute tour of the facility and six samples to choose from an impressively varied list of wines - all for a mere $10.
The environment is pleasantly mellow, yet the service refreshingly quick. They have bread and some delicious balsamic oil dips for you to enjoy with your wine. Also available for a price are a number of cheeses, chocolate, and "wine purses" - which proved to be the show stealer for me.
Slightly buzzed and $30 faux giraffe wine purse in hand, I briefly stepped outside to bask in Southern California's eternal sun suspended in a bright blue cloudless sky. The views from Orfila's hilltop location on the surrounding countryside were rather picturesque. It is no wonder some couples choose to get married here. -
Review from P S.
Gilroy, CA
1/25/2012
$10 for six tastes and not applied toward purchase. So-so wine. Not a great value. Servers were fairly friendly.
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Review from Jennifer S. P.
Lafayette, CA
9/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pricey, but a good experience. No food plates, but you can buy cheese and crackers on the side. They brought out samples AFTER my friend and I bought stuff which was a little rude (I thought).
The staff was decently friendly. I would definitely recommend as a stop if you are headed out to Safari Park or just a little outting.Listed in: San Diego
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Review from MC B.
Pensacola, FL
10/9/2011
I bought a Bloomspot voucer for this winery for a wine-tasting for 2 and 2 glasses of wine, I had never tried this winery before even though I'd heard about it a lot and lived in San Diego for 15 years - I just usually bypassed it to go to Temecula instead...
The wines themselves weren't that impressive, the tasting room is very standard and nothing special. They don't have food but they do have a little "Albertsons/Vons/Ralphs-esque" grocery stand in the corner where you can buy packaged crackers and cheeses and water/soda.
The wine tasting is for 6 generously poured samples - the 3 I enjoyed the most were the sparkling wine, the Montepulciano, and the Port (which is served with chocolate). They had some cute stuff in their gift section of the tasting room, too.
There were friendly staff and pourers for the most part - one guy seemed very stuffy and pretentious and seemed to enjoy calling me out when I mispronounced the name of one of the wines and acted like we should have been thanking him for taking time out of his busy work day to serve us lowly wine peons... but other than that one guy, everyone else was nice and friendly and fun.
I'd go back again - mostly because it's closer to San Diego than Temecula is, but I'd probably bypass it and go straight to Cordiano winery and hang out there instead - since we were even told that the majority of the staff at this winery go hang out at THAT winery too... -
Review from Sara Y.
7/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
A winery in San Diego? Yes! I know...you do not have to drive all the way to Temecula. Since the winery is approx. 2.5 miles to my house (I know...I could run there...and then pass out in a heated, wine-induced coma on the way back home), I made it my mission to become a member. I am at that age where I should give up the Two Buck Chuck habit and enjoy amazing wine.
Two of my closest buddies were married here about 8 years ago. The property is beautiful and a great place for a wedding. But we only had a quick wine tasting and at 24 years old, I did not appreciate wine the way I do now.
I went up for a tasting and was greeted by an awesome staff. I got the $10 for six tastes that they have on hand and then decided to join the wine club. In the OWL (Orfila Wine Lover's) Club, you get three bottles of wine, three times a year (all at a reduced rate), plus 20% off everything they have in the shop and on wines. You also get free tastings whenever you are there AND free tastings for friends.
Since it was hot out, I bought a bottle of Moscato and Rose for the weekend BBQ. Both bottles totaled $36, which is definitely not cheap, but SO worth it.
Grab your friends, hit up Orfila and THEN tour the North County breweries too. A great day trip without leaving the County!!Listed in: Escondido Everything, Lush Lures, Grapey Goodness
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Review from Svetlana V.
San Diego, CA
7/18/2011
In my opinion, their wine is so so, except for the port and the sparkling.
They provide little crackers and chocolates for the tasting.
It was our 3rd winery for the day, so I do not remember much... But I know I liked it :)
As usual, you get to keep the glass and the tasting of 6 wines was only $5. Great value!
I remember there were llamas next to the winery. -
Review from Charda F.
10/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
My cousin had her wedding here this past summer and it was beautiful! What a gorgeous place to have a wedding, the scenery/landscape is amazing and the venue is nice and secluded. I will probably be back to visit with the hubby for wine tasting as the wine from the vineyard that they served at the wedding was very very tasty. Great place to have a small - medium sized wedding. The reception and ceremony were both here so it was very convenient for everyone. I'm so happy there is a nice winery like this in San Diego and not all the way in Temecula. If you are looking for a wedding/reception venue or just looking for a vineyard to visit you should definitely check it out.
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Review from Mitch K.
6/18/2011
I have heard about Orfila for quite a while, but had never been. One free afternoon my girlfriend and I decided to make a date out of it. I went on their website and found out about their free tours at noon.
Finding the place was a breeze and they had plenty of parking. We arrived a little before noon and soon went to the free tour at noon. The tour was very informative and accompanied by gorgeous scenery. After the tour we went for some wine tasting. I believe we each had 6 wines for $10, with out a doubt a great value. I wasn't too impressed with their award winning wines, but it was still a pleasant day.
They have such a great view over the vineyards, which be perfect for a nice restaurant to each lunch... -
Review from David C.
10/10/2011
Hadn't heard of Orfila Vineyards but I am glad my girlfriend bought a Living Social deal for two for one wine tasting. The winery is on 70 acres close to the Zoo Safari Park. If you come at 12 you can get a free tour to learn how the wine is processed. The tastings are good priced at six for $10 with knowledgeable friend staff. They have Boars Head products and a small selection of food to enjoy your wine with. It would be a great place to have an event or wedding as there is a nice view from the patio. I recommend bringing a picnic and they also have live music on Sunday's! I want to give them 4.5 stars because I wish they had a restaurant, but I was very pleased with the overall experience.
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Review from Andrea B.
San Diego, CA
11/7/2011
My husband and I got married at Orfila Winery in September 2011. The vineyards were the most gorgeous backdrop we could have imagined and the tent reception made the whole evening elegant and intimate. We are continually receiving compliments from our guests on our choice of venue. We loved Orfila for our wedding not only because of its sheer beauty, but also because of the amazing wine selections & fantastic staff.
Our Event Manager, Steffi Habermann, was the most collected, efficient, helpful & enjoyable coordinator throughout the planning process and the day/night of the wedding. On the day of, we were able to fully enjoy every aspect of our ceremony & reception knowing the timeline and little details were in her hands. (Thank you Steffi!)
I would highly recommend having any event at Orfila. My husband and I have even joined the wine club so we can visit often while enjoying their great wine. -
Review from Bridget J.
Escondido, CA
3/29/2011
Orfila is simply my fav local San Diego winery, just a hop and a skip away without having to drive to Temecula! Its tucked away in beautiful San Pasqual valley, about five minutes past North County Fair.
The atmosphere here is really relaxing. A wonderful way to spend a weekend afternoon. Do a wine tasting, 6 wines for $8 with the pretty souvenir cup to go.... think I've kept five or six haha. I like to grab a bottle of wine, hunk of bread and cheese from the tasting room and head outdoors. You really must see the view in the day time, breathtaking.
We had my company christmas party in dec here. My colleagues didn't have the opportunity to see the views in the daytime, but the private evening was pretty remarkable too. -
Review from Steph H.
8/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
My friends and I decided to pack a picnic and meet at the little park right next to this charming little winery, which itself is right next to the San Diego Wild Animal Park. It was a little slice of heaven on a beautiful summer day and we lounged around there for like six hours! We had every intention of going in for a tasting at the winery but we lagged and missed our opportunity, so I can't really comment on their tasting, but I can say that the grounds and people are really nice (they do weddings and stuff there, apparently) and the bottle of rosé I took home was delicious. They even let us use their restrooms, thank goodness! It's a little hidden gem that's worth a visit if you feel like a FREE, low-key relaxing time that's not too far away.
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Review from Karan K.
Harker Heights, TX
7/11/2011 1 photo
Where to begin? My husband and I chose Orfila winery for our wedding because its a fantastic venue. However, in the end it was Steffi, the wine and the majestic views and ambiance of it all that made our wedding so magical. Steffi made my hectic life more peaceful with her patience during the six month planning process. Her attention to detail and coordination on the day of the wedding made my day stress free. Thank you, Steffi and Orfila for making our wedding one that we, and our guests, will never forget.
And thanks to the Orfila Wine Lover's club, we will have three bottles of Orfila wine every three months to reminisce!!! -
Review from Melodie T.
San Diego, CA
1/18/2011 1 photo
The perfect place when you want to go wine tasting but don't want to drive all the way out to Temecula.
They give a complimentary 25 minute tour at 12 noon daily, that details the process of wine making from their vineyard to their cellar. I highly recommend the tour. It's a great prelude to tasting.
6 tastes for $10! Sounds good to me! Most places only give you 4 or 5 tastes! The service is quick and the pour-ers (is that a word?) are friendly. The taste of the actual wine is very subjective. With wine, everyone has such a different palette which is why we taste!
Their gift shop sells Artisan Dark Chocolate. My friend bought a Bovetti Dark Chocolate Bar with Ear Grey, it was absolutely scrumptious! One of the best Dark Chocolate bars I've ever had. I'm not sure if they still sell it but I haven't found a place that sells it since.
Orfila Vineyards & Winery is a lovely afternoon getaway! -
Review from Emilee C.
San Diego, CA
10/5/2010
Those who know me might find this review a little disingenuous; when it comes to booze I'm probably unlikely to give any less than 4 stars.
True, but there are several things about Orfila that stand out. First being it's right by the Wild Animal Park, which is how we happened upon it in the first place. Second, you get 6 tastings for $10 and get to keep the glass (actually, they give you a clean one)
Also they have a large selection to taste from, their estate Syrah being my absolute favorite. I tried to taste the estate wines that were actually grown here in San Diego, since being a "locavore" warms my heart.
You can buy a bottle and some cheese and picnic on their grounds, something I must return and do in the future. Only downside is they only allow 6 tastes per person, per day. So if I wanted to get completely blotto and try all their wines (with a DD, mind you) I technically couldn't. Shame on you, Orfila! -
Review from William K.
Fullerton, CA
11/19/2011
If you love wine tasting, you must stop by here. Beautiful view compare to other San Diego area wineries. Love it here...very relaxing!!! Great service, too.
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Review from Kyle C.
Philadelphia, PA
11/29/2010
A wonderful experience in a wonderful location.
I've been to napa, I've been to France, ect.. though Orfila takes the cake!
With the online coupon, you can get free tastings with some great wine and keep the cup! They sell everything you need. From cheese to wine and bottle openers.
The other great reason for Orfila is the winery itself. Perched on top of a gorgeous mountain at a convenient location close to San Diego. The view is out of this world. The inside is also beautiful. Prices are very resonable as well.
In short, Orfila is well worth the drive. -
Review from C V.
Gardena, CA
8/1/2011
Taking a road trip south, I found this vineyard on my GPS and decided to treat my wife to her first wine tasting since she is the wine drinker. We were in time for the noon tour of the vineyard and that was very informative because Cory has a graceful, well informed host. The wine tasting for $10 was a great treat because Cory and the staff were super friendly my wife got more than the 6 sample taste. We bought 2 bottles and received 2 glasses in addition. Though I am not a wine drinker and didn't even have a sample, my wife enjoyed it and that is what matters. Also I noticed that freezer has It's It sandwiches in stock which is a my favorite hard to find ice-cream sandwich.
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Review from Joseph H.
Scripps Ranch, San Diego, CA
2/22/2011
Besides the Bernardo Winery this is one of my favorite places to take the wifey for some wine tasting. I dont really fancy wine as much as she does but I like to go here because its closest to me. The other nearest vineyards are in Temecula and that's about an hour and a half away from me. Prices are really reasonable and costs us usually under $25 including tip for two. Just like their profile page picture, the views make you feel at peace with yourself. Love it.
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Review from Michael P.
San Diego, CA
2/3/2009
Tasted 31-Jan-2009
To be honest, for all of its accolades I have never had one of their wines and I now regret this oversight. Their method of tasting was basically you get to pick six of anything they offer for an exceptionally reasonable price. I have to say, nothing disappointed me which makes me so happy they are close to home! Some of my more enjoyable tastings of the day:
# Pinot Noir Lot 37: This wine is made from grapes grown in SLO. Deep lovely red in color and a nose of cherries and raspberries and just a hint of vanilla delivering the fruit on a beautifully balanced acid/tannin backbone. Very classic Pinot Noir.
# Estate Sangiovese 2006: Nice raspberries on the nose and tongue. Tannins were a little rough, good acid though. I think this wine shows great potential but needs to rest another year before its beauty really show through.
# Merlot 2007 - Barrel Sample: I love getting barrel samples. Purple youth, fruit forward, young tannins. Good now, will be very good with a little more time to rest.
Like most wineries (even in better-known places) some wines were "better" than others but nothing was bad or even boring on this tasting. Rating wines is difficult because so much of calling a wine "good" or "bad" is person-relative, but for me Orfila produces "good" wine. -
Review from Jen R.
Updated - 3/29/2010
I am updating my review to address people who may be looking to come here.
Please, please do not bring your children with you. I am sure that there are better ways to be spending your time with the little one(s).
Keep in mind that some of us come here to unwind on the weekends and don't care to hear your screaming child. Do all of us and yourself a favor by finding a sitter.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/10/2010
I come here about once a month to escape and unwind from the busy work week. It's a fun place to… Read more »
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Review from michelle m.
San Diego, CA
5/6/2009
So I don't have any kids but I really want some... someday.
But I'm scurred. I don't think I will be able to handle those long days at Disneyland, the zoo, Legoland...The thought of pushing a stroller around all day actually makes me tired and depressed and makes me question if I can be that selfless.
Luckily I have discovered a game plan for that imaginary day when I have kids and they want to go to the Wild Animal Park . I'm going to drop their "Mom, I'm hungry, Mom I'm thirsty, Mom can I have that, Mom I have to peeeeee" butts off at the WAP and head to Orfila to drink wine. Yes!!! Future Mother of the Year right here.
This place has a great business plan. They don't even try to B.S. you about the wine. They are focused on rapidly refilling your wine glass to the point where you will be drunk enough to buy their mediocre and somewhat overpriced wine. Brilliant!!
It's a plan that seems to work well as I saw lots of people buying multiple bottles of wine. Heck I'll do it if it gets me out of pushing a stroller for the afternoon!!
It is a very pleasant location and the people were nice. Definitely worth a quick stop on your way to the Wild Animal Park. -
Review from mike n.
San Diego, CA
6/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Love this winery. I love the whites and it's a great place to relax and enjoy the views. The people are very eager to answer any question you have about the wines and the winery. Membership is fairly cheap. $45 and four tastings each visit. I just wish they had more food selection
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Review from Antonio G.
Staten Island, NY
11/21/2008
I'm no wino (or connoisseur, as they prefer to be called) but I do particularly like the wines that they have here at Orfila. I especially like the Gewurztraminer; mmm, like crisp apples!
We went on the tour, and it was a lot of fun! You learn a lot about barrels and oak and whatnot, and they teach you about the specific wines they sell and what they do to each one. Very interesting.
The scenery here is nothing short of beautiful. Looks like a good place for a wedding.
At 5 shots for 5 bucks, why wouldn't I come back! -
Review from Yi Z.
2/22/2010
When I was little, I imagined wine to taste sweet like grape juice. As I grew older, I learned that sweet wines are usually dessert wines. But Orfila seems to take a different philosophy - all their wines are super-sweet.
We printed out a 2-for-1 tasting coupon (available on their website) and got tipsy for only $5 per person. I can't deny that it is a great value, but the "award winning" wines didn't win any awards in my book. I had to pour out half of the wines for being too sweet-tasting or fragrant (one smelled like really strong rose perfume).
The only saving grace is the awesome view from winery. It's a lovely place to spend the afternoon with good company. Too bad you can't bring your own wines to enjoy on their patio.Listed in: Wine
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Review from Hannah L.
4/28/2010
I had my wedding reception here this past August and I've gotta say, it was the best wedding I've been to so far :)
From the street, the vineyard might not look like much, but if you drive up a ways, they have a lot of land full of grape vines. It's really a beautiful scenery. Especially during the summer when everything's green.
The reception was held in their large outdoor tent and the view was perfect! The natural scenery was all the decoration we really needed, which was great since my husband and I were trying to stick to a budget.
They have a fairly large wine selection, but I like their whites and Rose the best. The reds are ok... but I've had better...
Last but not least, Steffi was very helpful and really helped make my special day just that. You can really tell that the staff at Orfila love what they do. -
Review from Jennifer A.
San Diego, CA
2/5/2009
On the weekends this winery gets really busy. As a result the attentiveness of the staff, understandably, is worse. You might want to try to go during the week where you can probably almost get one on one service.
I thought their whites were better than their reds, but I ended up buying their rose.
Don't forget to sample their mustards and dipping oils!
There is a nice lawn to picnic in during good weather and it's especially pretty when the vines and all green and grape-y. The Wild Animal Park brochure has a coupon for a free tasting for two. -
Review from Dominique H.
San Diego, CA
9/25/2007
Orfila is definitely a place that I will visit again. My Fiance took me here on a Saturday afternoon. I couldn't believe that this place was nestled off one of the roads in Escondido...I would have never known. I'm in Escondido quite often and really love their little Downtown, Esco. It has so much character and is a great place to just walk around on a lazy afternoon. The view from the vineyard is amazing! It over looks this beautiful golf course and the mountains are absolutely breath taking. Another plus is that they have a nice grassy area outside with picnic tables so you can enjoy your wine with some snacks. They sell a lot of different gourmet vinaigrette's and cooking oils too.
This was my favorite wine from Orfila...Estate Viognier "Lotus" Lot 45. Yummy! Not too dry and a little sweet.
Orfila sure is a nice addition to the city of San Diego. -
Review from Inga I.
San Diego, CA
9/10/2010
Absolutely BREATHTAKING!!! Instead of driving out the Temecula, you can get here in about 20 minutes. The best time to get there is between 12 pm and 1pm, it gets pretty crowded aroung 3 pm for wine tastings and tours. The best part are the gardens and the beautiful landscaping. You can buy a bottle of wine for less than $20 and drink on the picnic benches or have a picnic there. Also, complimentary wine glasses with every bottle purchase.
One catch though, you can only purchase food/snacks there, you cannot bring Subway sandwiches and have a picnic. Boo! But, that's ok. This place is so gorgeous, it feels like you are in another world, great to come with a group of friends for the day. It was really hard leaving and try not to drink too much wine if you are having too much fun, no DUIs! -
Review from Max M.
Newport Beach, CA
2/22/2009 1 Check-in Here
Came across Orfila Vineyard and Winery on the way to the Wild Animal Park. Great location to stop and mellow.
Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. My favorite is the Syrah, Gewurztraminer, and the Rosé. A secret tip is the Port!!!!
In the winery you also find all kinds of gift items (cookbooks etc).
If you ask, they give you a free tour thru the vineyard.
Looks like you can also have events there. While I was there, I saw a wedding in progress in the backgound. The view for wedding pictures must be fantastic!
Surely a place to go again for a good time. -
Review from Eric L.
5/23/2009
Last I went, tasting was $5 and you got to keep the glass. Now they raised it to $8. Not sure about the glass.
The wine is decent. But the tasting room is pretty nice. It's got a big serving area in the middle where you can walk up and get your taste on. You can buy a glass or two and just enjoy lunch out on the patio overlooking the winery too.
My suggestion, go to Panera at North County Mall and grab a sandwich. Then head over here for a nice lunch.
The best part, it's a local winery that's closer than temecula and Napa and Sonoma. -
Review from Leslie B.
2/19/2011 5 photos
My boyfriend and I headed out for an afternoon of wine tasting and picnicing! There are so many great things about this vineyard! First of all, from Mission Valley, we made it there in 30 minutes or less...and it was really easy to find...which is way more convenient than driving all the way to Temecula . We started with the tour. The whole area is beautiful, with rolling hills and mountain views. Unfortunately, we were there while the vines were dormant, and much of the wine making had not started for the year. The tour guide appeared knowledgeable, but much of the tour consisted of photos.
We then did the tasting, which includes 6 tastes for $10, which becomes an even better deal if you download the 2 for 1 coupon from their website! I was really impressed by some of the wines. The Ambassadors Syrah was amazing, and they have a very unique Rose. You also get to keep some pretty nice wine glasses!
Afterward, we bought a bottle of wine and had a picnic on the back lawn. They have a beautiful patio area in front, but unfortunately picnics are not allowed there.
Further, there is a cute gift shop,where we picked up some gifts, and some more wine on our way out.
This is a perfect spot to take your honey for the afternoon, or to impress some out-of-town guests!Listed in: Let's Impress the…
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Review from Elizabeth C.
San Diego, CA
4/11/2010 1 Check-in Here
This has become my favorite vineyard in southern California. I especially like coming here after winding down a day at the Wild Animal Park. $10 for six tastings, which is a really good price and you can pick and choose what you want to try and get to keep the glass. The staff is always friendly, the store is neat and clean, and the environment is welcoming.
My favorite wine of theirs is their Gewürztraminer wine or "G Wine" for those who cannot pronounce it (I'll give you a hint: it's pronounced Guh-verts-tra-mee-ner) from 2007. Good year for that wine. Very consistent light taste of apricot and floral notes. So delicious it's hard to share! My second favorite wine from Orfilia is their rose Shiraz. Very light and crisp.
I have to admit I don't like their red wines, but then again I'm more of a white wine drinker. To make life simple I stick to the whites here. Free bonus, they have the only Chardonnay that didn't give me a headache, so congratulations Orfilia!Listed in: You know you're a wino
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Review from Betty B.
Los Angeles, CA
1/2/2009
The two stars were for the pretty grounds where you can picnic and for the free tour they provided.
Honestly I thought their wines were a bit overrated for the price point. (We tried 4 or 5 different reds.) Okay, but nothing outstanding. We tried their syrah, merlot blend, sangiovese and a couple of others. Disappointingly, the reds we were most interested in purchasing they did not have in stock.
