The Edwards Family began producing commercial wines in the fall of 2004, however we planted our first Ramona Valley vineyard in 1990.
Victor Edwards produced his first Petite Sirah in 1997, and it remains our family's flagship wine today.
Our humble outdoor tasting patio opened in March of 2011, allowing us to share our wines directly with the public, while enjoying a great view of the vineyard and our Ballena Valley area of Ramona.
Our three sons have grown up assisting with all vineyard and winery processes. Now daughters and grandchildren have joined the family, too.
In late 2021, after a short battle with cancer, we lost Victor. Our founder, husband, father, friend and CTO (Chief Tractor Operator). He was a farmer at heart and loved to share his wines with all of us. He blessed our family with his knowledge of wine making and his passion for enjoying fine wines with great food. He also left us with future vintages still tucked away in barrels, waiting to share, as our family continues sharing his passion.
Our family has always been truly blessed with wonderful support, dear friends, and a great team of "cellar rats" who have helped us along each vintage's journey over many years, and through life's vivid challenges and deep joys. Cheers!
About Our Passion…
When Victor and I met in 1985, we were both working artists. Our idea of a great date usually involved a trip to Little Italy to purchase fresh pasta and handcrafted sausages, with a visit to a wine shop to pick out wine, along with a movie rental to enjoy. Victor taught me to appreciate great California wines. We were foodies—before there was such a term—and wine just fits with good food.
Our early family vacations involved juggling wine-making supply purchases, educational symposiums and vineyard real estate shopping, with camping. We would set our tent up on the coast at Bodega Bay, then venture into Sonoma to pick up a wine press, or kayak the Russian River, then pop over into Napa for a class at Barrel Builders on repairing leaky barrels. We’d swim in Clear Lake and then look at properties in the high valleys north of Napa for possible purchase.
We acquired our current 64-acre ranch in 2002. We moved our three young sons into the 1,000 sq.ft. fixer-upper "from hell" home and started planting our new vineyard.
Victor attended oak symposiums and tasted wine samples provided by barrel cooperages any chance he got, and he experimented with different oaks, toast levels and grains of wood. He convinced our next generation of family winegrowers that oak barrels add the magic to our Edwards wines. He was right.
Victor and I were heavily involved in the creation of Ramona Valley as an American Viticultural Area (AVA), and in the passage of the San Diego County Boutique Winery Ordinance. The resurgence of wineries in San Diego County is directly due to the members of the Ramona Valley Winery Association's ordinance committee, which drafted a new ordinance, that was supported by Supervisor Dianne Jacob. The committee was led by Carolyn Harris (RVWA legal counsel), Victor Edwards (RVWA president), Andy Harris (Chuparosa Vineyards), Mike Kopp (Kohill Winery), Don Kohorst (Pyramid Vineyard), and myself (Beth Edwards, Edwards Vineyard and Cellars).
In 2007, we lost our beloved 8,000+ sq. ft. wooden barn (and future winery) to the Witch Creek Fire. We built our tiny tasting patio as a temporary way to open to the public. Somehow, 11 years later, it has become a relaxing place to take in the views and enjoy conversations. However, it is still our family's dream to rebuild from those ashes.
In 2020, we expanded our vineyard to include Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsaut, Counoise and Viognier. We look forward to working with this new varietals a few years from now.
As winemaking goes, Victor and I, were both formally taught and self-taught in the art of making wine. We believe wine is made in the vineyard and have learned mostly by doing—with the help of many friends, and our three sons, of course. Victor shared everything he knew about winegrowing and making stellar wines. It is my desire to continue sharing our family's passion for generations to come.
Beth Edwards
