Edwards Vineyard & Cellars Invites Wine Lovers to Experience a Family Legacy at Oaks Grille
June’s Meet the Winemaker offers guests the chance to taste four limited-production wines and learn more about one of Ramona's treasured boutique wineries. Join Edwards Vineyard and Cellars as they pour and enjoy a specially curated menu to pair with the evening’s wines.
On Wednesday, June 24, guests at the Oaks Grille and Par Lounge will have the opportunity to enjoy more than a wine tasting. They'll experience the story of a Ramona Valley family whose passion for grape growing and winemaking spans more than three decades. Edwards Vineyard & Cellars will be pouring four limited-production wines that showcase the character of the Ramona Valley AVA, the dedication of a family-run vineyard, and a legacy that continues to grow with each vintage.
The Edwards family's journey began in 1990, when they planted their first vineyard in Ramona. Years of hands-on farming and vineyard development eventually led to the production of their first commercial wines in the fall of 2004. Today, their 3.5-acre estate vineyard produces between 350 and 500 cases annually, allowing the family to focus on quality over quantity.
At Edwards Vineyard & Cellars, the philosophy has always been simple: the wine is made in the vineyard.
The family farms sustainably, avoids herbicides, and carefully tends the vines throughout the growing season. Every vintage reflects the unique weather, challenges, and rewards of that particular year, preserving a moment in time within each bottle. One wine has held a special place in the family's history from the very beginning. In 1997, founder Victor Edwards produced his first Petite Sirah. That wine became the family's flagship and remains a cornerstone of the winery's identity today.
In March 2011, the Edwards family opened their outdoor tasting patio overlooking the vineyard and the scenic Ballena Valley area of Ramona. The tasting patio created an opportunity to share their wines directly with visitors while offering a place to gather, relax, and enjoy the beauty of wine country. Over the years, the vineyard has truly become a family endeavor. The Edwards' three sons grew up helping with every aspect of vineyard and winery operations. Today, daughters and grandchildren have joined in as well, helping carry the family's traditions into the next generation.
In late 2021, the family suffered a profound loss when Victor Edwards passed away after a brief battle with cancer. Known affectionately as the winery's founder, husband, father, friend, and "Chief Tractor Operator," Victor was a farmer at heart who loved sharing his wines with family, friends, and visitors alike.
His passion for winemaking and hospitality remains deeply woven into the fabric of Edwards Vineyard & Cellars. Along with decades of knowledge, he left behind future vintages still aging in barrels—wines that the family continues to release and share as part of his enduring legacy.
Visitors attending the June tasting will have the opportunity to sample four exceptional wines that reflect that legacy.
The tasting begins with the 2024 Rosé of Syrah, a refreshing summer wine featuring floral aromas, bright acidity, and flavors of ripe peach, nectarine, and citrus zest wrapped in a creamy finish. The 2018 Estate Syrah follows with aromas of black raspberry, cherry, spicy oak, and hints of black licorice. Rich flavors of blackberry and black cherry are balanced by silky tannins and a long, smooth finish.
Guests will also enjoy the 2017 Syrah Clone 383, a distinctive expression of Syrah offering aromas of cherry and currants accented by clove and black pepper, followed by layers of chocolate, cherry, and subtle cinnamon spice. Completing the lineup is the 2017 Shameless Red, a blend of 56% Petite Sirah and 44% Syrah. Full-bodied and approachable, it showcases dark fruit flavors, baking spice, vanilla, and smooth tannins from French oak aging. True to its name, it is a wine made simply to be enjoyed.
While celebrating current releases, the Edwards family is also looking toward the future. New plantings of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsaut, Viognier, and Counoise are now growing in the vineyard and will expand the winery's Rhône-inspired offerings in the years ahead. Through every harvest and every vintage, the family remains grateful for the loyal customers, dear friends, and dedicated team of "cellar rats" who have helped guide the winery through life's joys and challenges.
The June 24 tasting offers a chance to experience that story firsthand through the wines, the people behind them, and the vineyard that continues to honor Victor's vision. Come meet the family, taste four limited-production wines, and discover why Edwards Vineyard & Cellars has become one of Ramona's treasured boutique wineries.
Photo by Edwards Vineyard and Cellars
