shadow mountain vineyards & winery

We stumbled on Shadow Mountain on our way back from Julian. My girlfriend was looking for a small winery where we could enjoy a casual tasting before driving back to San Juan Capistrano. This was a very charming winery with a great story for their start. While the property itself has a rustic feel, which I love, the wine was surprisingly delicious. There were several award winners in the tasting, but even the non award winners were excellent. Mind you, my tongue is not sophisticated, but I have had wines in the past that I don't like, so....I am delighted to say, I liked all the wines I tasted. Plus they have a hidden secret that only is available at night.

My wife and I visited a few days ago and met Pam and Alex. We are members of multiple wineries in Temcula. The facilities are beautiful and this winery rocks with excellent red and white wines. Allow Pam to explain the history of the grounds and people and you will walk away with at least two bottles of wine (although we bought two cases and joined the wine club). Alex's knowledge of the business and Chemistry of wine making are fascinating. I am a red drinker and was impressed with the quality of all the wines but particularly the reds. The list of awards these wines have won are impressive and well deserved. Not the polish of the Temcula wineries but the quality of the experience was incredible and I was very pleasantly surprised. Nothing like talking to a winemaker with experience and passion to live his dream and make the drink of the Gods. Go here and you will not be disappointed. We certainly were not and would recommend to all our friends and family. Approximately 30 minutes from Temecula.

Since we live in the area, we have been tasting Alex's wines for many years and have tasted them from a state of being acceptable to the present state of being excellent wines. Each year brings new twists to old familiar wines, as well as some new experimentation. Their tasting room is cozy and tasters experience personal attention from Pam and often from Alex. There are now 3 and soon to be 4 wineries within a 5 mile radius out here in the San Diego County back country. Shadow Mountain has been here the longest and has the best wines. For those who travel these back roads periodically, it is worthwhile being a member of their wine club.

We stopped by the grounds and tasted 3 of the white wines. The Muscat (Pam's Pick) was our choice. The grounds were lovely and there were cabanas you can rent - small but quaint. LHixon

Nice small, independent winery with a delightful selection

Founded in 1945, Shadow Mountain in Sunshine Summit (near Warner Springs), is one of the oldest and best San Diego County wineries. It’s definitely worth the drive – even better if you spend the night in one of the nicely appointed tent-cottages. Vintner Alex McGeary and his wife and tasting room manager Pam preside over an impressive estate of beautiful old vines. At present our favorite wines are the 2006 Zinfandel, 2007 Carignane (grassy!), 2008 Merlot (mocha, dark cherries), and 2007 Cabernet aged in both American and French oak.Don't expect a big, fancy tasting room; do expect a great tasting experience! You're welcome to picnic on the patio and walk around the grounds. http://winesandiego.blogspot.comhttp://www.shadowmountainvineyards.com/

If you're a wine fan and are planning a trip to the Julian area, Anza Borrego, or Temecula and you find that you have a bit of extra time, you'll find it well-worth the effort to stop by the tasting room at Shadow Mountain Vineyards (a few miles north of the Warner Springs resort, off of Highway 79). The winery specializes in red wines and easily hold their own with some of the better local wineries, such as Orfila and Hart. The winery is owned by Pamela and Alexander McGeary, and Pamela staffs the tasting room on weekends. She's extremely personable and will help guide your tasting towards your own wine preferences. We've visited three times over the past year, and she's had different varietals and vintages open for pouring each time that we've visited.Shadow Mountain feels like a true boutique winery (it reminds me of some of the Sonoma tasting rooms that I used to frequent when I lived in the Bay Area 10 years ago) and lacks the Disneyland-esque atmosphere of many of the Temecula wineries. If you like good red wine and enjoy a personal tasting room experience, you'll love Shadow Mountain.