Meet the Winemaker: Rancho San Martin Winery
Built from a retirement dream and a love of wine, Rancho San Martin Winery is bringing together local flavors, good friends and the laid-back spirit of Ramona.
For Ginny and Gary Boney, Rancho San Martin Winery is more than a place to make and enjoy wine. It is the result of a retirement dream built around their love of wine, food, family, friends and community.
Located on four acres on the west end of Ramona, just off Highland Valley Road, Rancho San Martin is a small, family-owned winery with about an acre planted in vines.
Ginny and Gary founded Rancho San Martin Winery in 2021, inspired by a vision of retirement filled with vineyards, friends, family and new connections. Their journey began years earlier, when they planted their vines in 2010 and began making wine in 2013.
They chose Spanish and Italian grape varietals that thrive in Ramona’s hot summer temperatures and decomposed granite soil. Today, the vineyard includes Sangiovese, a Brunello clone, Tempranillo and Syrah, with additional grapes sourced from other local Ramona growers.
Ginny enjoys introducing visitors to their wines and especially likes pairing them with food.
“I really want people who have never tried our wine to come out and try it,” Ginny said.
Guests will have an opportunity to do just that during the next Meet the Winemaker event on Wednesday, September 30, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Par Lounge and Deck.
Ginny will be on hand pouring several Rancho San Martin wines, including Estate Sangiovese, Estate Tempranillo and Cabernet Franc. The evening will also feature live music by Travis Billy Ross, giving guests an opportunity to enjoy local wine and music in a relaxed setting.
Rancho San Martin focuses on Italian and Spanish varietals, with the wines reflecting the characteristics of the local growing region. Gary, whom Ginny jokingly refers to as the family “wineologist,” shares her appreciation for the time and care that go into producing each bottle.
The couple also credits other Ramona winemakers for sharing their knowledge as they learned about both winemaking and vineyard management.
The winery offers a casual, mom-and-pop atmosphere where visitors can slow down, enjoy a glass of wine and spend time with friends. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic and relax among the vines.
“We love to educate visitors about the vines and the wine,” Ginny said.
For those who would like to visit outside of the Meet the Winemaker event, Rancho San Martin Winery is open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Weekend visitors can enjoy wine in the backyard, where music is often played while guests relax among the vines.
For Ginny and Gary, Rancho San Martin represents the retirement lifestyle they envisioned, one centered around wine, good food, friendship and meeting new people in their own community.
Whether celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a quiet place to escape the everyday, Rancho San Martin offers visitors a chance to enjoy local wine and the relaxed atmosphere of the Ramona countryside.
Rancho San Martin Winery
17249 Sundance Drive
Ramona, CA
For more information, call (760) 650-6851 or email ginny.rsmwinery@gmail.com
