As a kid, we’d hear about a new amusement park being built and get crazy excited. But as grown ups? It’s kind of the same thing, but replace “new amusement park” with “ginormous wine resort.” Lucky for us, that new glorious resort is really happening and it’s being built in San Diego County right now.
A semi-retired Los Angeles-area anesthesiologist named Roa Anne and his rich business partners have been buying up land for the past four years between state Route 79 and the northern slopes of the Palomar Mountain range. UT San Diego reports that Anne has big plans for the area, including 300 to 400 acres of vineyards, a 250-room destination resort, a restaurant, and a golf course. A $2 million, 9,000-square foot boutique winery and tasting room is under construction currently and the county permit to open the facility is pending.
Anne grew up in India, emigrating to the U.S. in 1971, and this project has been a dream of his for decades. He says the elevation and temperature range on his property are perfect for premium grape growing, and he is already growing six different varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Malbec, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc.
Before World War II, San Diego was the highest grape producing county in the state of California, and it’s finally experiencing a renaissance that Anne’s Hill Springs resort will hopefully contribute to. Erin Hill, a spokeswoman for the Wine Institute, told UT San Diego that California wine exports are at an all-time high and more and more people are traveling to the state, specifically to enjoy its food and wine.
Hill Springs resort isn’t just about producing wine, though. Anne wanted to create an agritourism destination where visitors can stroll through vineyards, enjoy horseback riding, and hike on expansive property. It’s a big project and it costs a lot of money, but Anne is hoping to have the major-use permit to become a full-scale commercial winery within two years. When Hill Springs finally begins to bottle its own wine, it will be marketed under the name “Emerald Creek”; the name pays tribute to the beautiful green trees that line the banks of Temecula Creek.
Can we book our room there now? Please?