Lovers of award winning wines and world-class art can now indulge both passions at the newly expanded Salerno Winery in the scenic hills of Ramona, CA, in San Diego’s East County.

The family vineyard and winery, owned by former Italian opera singer Herman Salerno and his wife Rose, has undergone significant renovations as part of a new partnership with Mexican businessman Jaime Chaljon. An avid art collector, Chaljon has created a sculpture garden at the vineyard with 30+ pieces from his own impressive collection amassed over 25 years of travel, from over 20 world-renowned artists, including Jorge and Javier Marin, Tang Da Wu, Julian Bravo and Pedro Cervantes. A life-sized chessboard, fanciful animals, and sensual lovers are among the subject matter of the diverse collection.

In 1998, the Salernos brought their 23 years experience with winemaking to the Ramona Valley, with the goal of establishing a top-class winery.  By 2005, using traditional Italian methods, the Salernos earned an International Medal for their first wines.  Today, Salerno Winery is considered among the  top boutique wineries in California and has earned more than 65 local, national and international awards.

The remodeled tasting and dining area, streams and waterfalls, and now the sculpture garden, provide a bucolic setting for enjoying a glass of wine–or 2 or 3— while enjoying slices of freshly baked pizza right out of the traditional pizza oven and listening to operatic presentations from Herman Salerno and a number of other local opera singers.

Salerno winery, at 17948 Highway 67 in Ramona, is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays 11 AM-6PM.  See www.salernowinery.com for info.