SAN DIEGO — KFMB TV is counting down the months, as we prepare to celebrate our 75th anniversary in May.
In this Zevely Zone, I share the spotlight with another iconic San Diego County business that opened in 1889.
Originally opened on what was part of a Spanish land grant, the Bernardo Winery has become, over the years, not only a fully productive San Diego winery but a destination for wine lovers and visitors.
When you discover something special, you bottle it up and share it with the world.
"All of this used to be a vineyard," said tour guide and wine steward Ronni Bethea. She still can't wrap her mind around a winery that popped its first cork in 1889.
"When the earth cooled, I was formed and now we are here," she laughed.
Since the beginning of time, people have traveled to the Bernardo Winery for food, coffee, jewelry, art and wine. "This is my zone, this is the Zevely Zone, this is the Ronni zone," said Ronni while walking into the 'Tasting Room'.
"It's good to be here from Colorado," said one happy customer.
There's a wine for everyone here. "We will find what you like," said Ronni.
Family-owned for three generations; these winemakers have discovered a way to let it breathe. I asked one family member what the winery meant to him.
"Everything. I mean my grandfather bought the winery in 1927," said Ross Rizzo who is the Master Vintner.
He's the head winemaker who runs the Bernardo Winery with his two sisters. "We are celebrating 135 years," said Ross.
I asked him why he thinks his family has been so successful for so long. "Well, wine is really important, but I think too, we've just embodied that local thing the entire time I mean we grew grapes in San Diego before anyone thought it was you know a fad," said Ross. "Just that sort of family, local, sustainable thing we've been doing for a long time."
The family hopes you'll get lost in the hills of Rancho Bernardo and come find them.
All of these years later, they are a hidden gem. "We are. Ten years ago, that really bugged me. It was like why doesn't everyone know we are here? I like it a lot, why wouldn't they? But you know now I am actually more motivated to keep it like a hidden gem, I really enjoy that," said Ross.
From weddings to birthdays and celebrations of life, the Bernardo Winery, like a fine wine, gets better with time. "This has been here forever," said Ronni. "Have you seen anything as lovely as this? The answer is no."
Bernardo Winery produces wines from locally sourced grapes that suit the San Diego Terroir, such as Syrah, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Viognier, Chardonnay and Aglianico.
For more information about the Bernardo Winery and 13 acres that offer The Kitchen Restaurant, the Manzanita coffee shop, shops and stores, click here.