While in California we had an opportunity to visit a couple of San Diego County’s wineries with Linda Kissam of Kissam Consulting. We enjoyed our visit and the wines we tasted at wineries including Fallbrook Winery and Orfila Vineyards & Winery.

So I was interested in reading an editorial by the Union-Tribune Editorial Board posted on October 21, 2010. The editorial, “Nurturing a wine industry in San Diego” referred to the San Diego County as a “cottage industry.” However considering the number of wineries reaching 60, it seems to be more than a cottage industry. Yes some of the wineries are boutique but others are considerably larger than boutique.

The article makes a statement that can be applied to many areas of the country. “If San Diego County winemakers prosper, the agricultural way of life in our backcountry may be preserved instead of falling victim to hopscotch housing tracts.”

What better way to protect the land from too much development than planting vineyards that can survive for decades?

Cheers! Kathy