Orfilia Vineyards Preparing for Change in Ownership

Orfila Vineyards, the premier San Diego-based winery found in the picturesque San Pasqual Valley, has officially changed owners again.

Since its opening in 1994, Orfila Vineyards has received more than 1,300 medals in national and international competitions. After three decades, the property has seen owners and concepts come and go, starting with San Pasqual Winery in 1973. The vineyard later became Thomas Jaeger Winery until longtime ambassador Alejandro Orfila purchased it in 1993 and renamed the property Orfila Vineyards and Winery. Unfortunately, Orfila died in June 2021 at 96, and the businesses passed to his wife, Helga.

Now, it appears the company is changing owners again, this time being transferred to Sara DeLuca, a 28-year-old San Diego native who operates Invita Cafe locations in Rancho Santa Fe and Carlsbad. The young businesswoman recently applied for a liquor license for the sites. While the exact details of what will change, if anything, have yet to be revealed, the new ownership will bring a breath of fresh air to the space. Orfila Vineyards has two tasting rooms: Escondido at 13455 San Pasqual Road and Oceanside at 221 N. Cleveland Street.

“The [Escondido] tasting room and patio overlooks the 70-acre estate,” according to the company’s website. “Our tree-lined, family-friendly picnic area features grassy knolls and picnic tables. Orfila produces critically acclaimed wines using Italian and French varietals, including those from the Rhône Valley, Burgundy, and Bordeaux. We source our grapes from both the estate and select vineyards from Sonoma, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara Counties. Our winemaker, Andrew Wisniewski, carries on our tradition of making award-winning wines in San Diego County.”