Wine lovers and foodies in San Diego can now get a taste of the traditional Spanish-style wines of Ramona’s Hacienda de las Rosas Winery as well as the organic, hand-pressed creations of Temecula Olive Oil Company right in the heart of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park at Plaza del Pasado.
These two shops are the most recent to open in Plaza del Pasado, which also recently signed an agreement with Consuelo Miller, the owner of El Fandango restaurant in Old Town, to return to operate La Panaderia. Miller had run the bakery for many years in the past.
“This is our winery’s first retail store, and it’s the perfect spot because of Plaza del Pasado’s emphasis on local flavors and artisanal products plus its historic setting,” says Tammy Rimes, who co-owns Hacienda de las Rosas with husband and vintner William Holzhauer. “Visitors will enjoy our special garden room and hand-carved pinewood bar in addition to our signature Spanish red wines.”
Hacienda de las Rosas produces its fine wines at its Ramona, California winery and vineyard where it specializes in growing the Spanish Tempranillo grape as well as a small quantity of historical Mission grapes brought originally to the region by Spanish Padres from a root stock selected through UC Davis. Its tasting room and shop hours are 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday.
Temecula Olive Oil Company is also a family-owned and operated business practicing sustainable agriculture since its founding in 2001. With a direct order business that ships to customers around the world, the company has one other location in Old Town Temecula. Its San Diego tasting room is now open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday.
“The vibrant spirit and culture at Old Town makes us feel right at home,” says Catherine Pepe, co-owner of Temecula Olive Oil Company, which uses only California fruit in all of its products. “From both an agricultural and culinary perspective, olives have a long, rich history in this area, and we’re proud to continue it.”
A grand opening celebration will take place April 26 and 27. For more information, visit http://www.plazadelpasado.com/Shop_ShowsandEvents.aspx.
Filled with restaurants, shops, costumed storytellers, local artists, performers, souvenirs and snacks, Plaza del Pasado is a four-acre plaza located on the southwest corner of the historic park between Juan and Calhoun streets. For more information, call 619-297-3100 or visit www.plazadelpasado.com.
About Plaza del Pasado Located at Juan and Calhoun streets inside Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, Plaza del Pasado brings San Diego’s early history to life. The four-acre plaza sits at the center of San Diegos original Mexican pueblo, founded in 1821, and features strolling storytellers in period costume, live music, local artisans demonstrating their craft, shopping, and restaurants inspired by 19th century San Diego life. San Diego’s oldest non-native neighborhood also features a collection of six unique shops, three art studios, two tasting rooms, a bakery and three restaurants including a frontier saloon, historic hotel dining room, and festive cantina. For more, visit www.plazadelpasado.com or call 619-297-3100.
