Schwaesdall Winery offers a beautiful guest house called Casa de Piedra (House of Stone), featuring stunning vineyard views, upscale interiors, and a spacious patio and deck. The home, built with two-foot-thick straw bale walls, has a striking red and teal color scheme and an impressive bottle wall. Guests can explore the winery grounds, which include antique equipment, sculptures, a historical truck, and fun rock formations. A two-day minimum stay is required, with an $85 cleaning fee and a $500 security deposit. On weekends, guests can also enjoy wine tastings and live music during the summer months.
Nestled in the heart of Southern California, Ramona Valley—often called “The Valley of the Sun”—is renowned for its picturesque landscapes and rich history. Dubbed the “Rhone Valley of California,” it shares the same soil type as Sonoma, making it an ideal region for winemaking.
Originally known as Nuevo in the 1850s, Ramona was home to Native American tribes before settlers arrived, drawn by the area’s abundant water supply and favorable climate. By the mid-20th century, Ramona had gained fame as the “Turkey Capital of the World,” producing more turkeys annually than anywhere else. The town even hosted a grand turkey parade, where women showcased elaborate dresses made from turkey feathers.
Over time, the turkey industry gave way to other agricultural ventures, including egg ranching, horse farming, and viticulture. Today, Ramona Valley thrives as a celebrated wine region while still embracing its rich agricultural heritage.
San Diego native John Schwaesdall began his winemaking journey by harvesting grapes from some of Ramona’s historic vineyards, originally planted in the 1950s. Since then, he has cultivated 4.5 acres of diverse red and white wine grapes, creating a vineyard that blends rich tradition with natural beauty.
Nestled among the massive granite boulders characteristic of the Ramona and Mt. Woodson area, the vineyard is surrounded by stunning geological formations. One of these impressive boulders, weighing 80 tons, strikingly resembles a cat, while another bears an uncanny likeness to Moby Dick. John delights in guiding visitors through his six-acre property, sharing the fascinating natural sculptures that make the landscape so unique.
Beyond the vineyard, guests can enjoy breathtaking views of Iron Mountain, adding to the charm and allure of this one-of-a-kind wine country destination.
We offer a diverse selection of wines for tasting, giving you the chance to explore the unique flavors of our vineyard. On most visits, you’ll also have the opportunity to meet the owners and winemakers, who are always eager to share their passion for winemaking. We love welcoming guests and strive to make your visit a truly memorable experience.
Johnny and Shirley Schwaesdall