Page 18 - Digital Version For Web SDW Bridal 2015 (2)

a hidden JeWel

The Bernardo Winery
By Judith A. Habert

Advertising Director. So with the three siblings at the
helm and Mom Veronica Hall-Rizzo running the twice-yearly
craft fair and overseeing much of the landscaping and
gardening of the grounds, the family is an ever present
part of the Bernardo Winery. In addition to the immediate
family, just about everyone’s spouses and children join in
to lend a hand whenever needed. The Bernardo Winery is
truly a Family Affair.
So if you are planning the Wedding of your dreams you can
be assured that the Bernardo Winery will truly provide the
experience of a lifetime. Their exceptional staff is there
to meet all your wedding planning needs headed by Terri
Lowrey and Meaghan Braun.
What makes a wedding at the Bernardo Winery unique is
that there are several different locations available, so they
can accommodate whatever size wedding you are planning
from 3 to 300 guests. Couples can select Rosario’s Pavilion,
the Winery’s original wedding venue, which is surrounded by
beautiful landscape, a vintage pavilion and gazebo which is
shaded by decade old olive trees. The Barrel Room, a
delight to the senses. The 125 year old wooden building
houses some of California’s only large scale redwood wine
storage vats and is a favorite choice for smaller more
intimate weddings of 50 guests. Vito’s Park, which
There is an innate quality I have discovered over the many years that accommodates the larger weddings of 300 guests and has a
I have been visiting business establishments, both in my personal and backdrop of vineyards and gazebos. and has a large shaded patio.
professional life. It is this difference that often makes a The variety of locations, and four caterers to choose from, will help
business stand out. Family owned businesses have a certain warmth you tailor your wedding to fit whatever you desire. “You don’t even have
and friendliness that others do not. Add this quality to a beautiful to worry about flowers for your ceremony, with all of the beautiful
location hidden away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, and what flowers found on the grounds of our winery. Bernardo Winery is a
18 you have is the Bernardo Winery. combination of rustic and elegant, so it appeals to many brides looking
This elegant and historically rich venue is a location where saying your
for a special wedding venue” adds Samantha Nawrocki. With various
“I Do’s” will count you among an elite class of couples who find them- restaurants on site, the winery can also accommodate rehearsal dinners
selves returning yearly to visit this magical place where over the past and bachelorette parties. Several quality accommodations are available
decades many happy unions have begun. nearby, such as the Rancho Bernardo Inn, which has shuttle service to
The year was 1928 when Vincent Rizzo, who made a living building fruit and from the Winery, so out of town guests can languish in the luxury
boxes in Detroit, was given an opportunity to move to Tijuana, across of a 4 star resort only minutes from the Wedding location.
the border from San Diego, and open several bars. Little did he know, For more information on planning your wedding at the Bernardo Winery
that a leisurely hunting trip to Rancho Bernardo would lead his life in visit their website at www.bernardowinery.com or
yet another direction. The area in which his hunting excursion took email terry@bernardowinery.com directly or call 858-487-1866
place was where five Sicilian business men happened to have a winery
up for sale. This was of great interest to Vincent and he made the
decision that this was truly his destiny.
Vincent Rizzo came from a family of winemakers, so his decision was
a natural one. The only thing he longed for now was a wife to share
his life. He was introduced to Elizabeth, in what some would call an
arranged marriage, and he brought her back to Rancho Bernardo where
they settled down for a life working the winery.
Since Vincent’s purchase the Bernardo Winery has provided a destina-
tion for San Diegans to get in touch with the beauty of nature, while
enjoying some of the best wines in Southern California.
Since the Bernardo Winery was established during prohibition, they
kept the winery profitable making sacramental wine for the Catholic
Church, and olives and olive oil for the tuna fishing industry. They were
also known for producing a very popular grape juice, which was guaran-
teed to “ferment” by the time their customers got down the road from
the winery.
In 1963 Ross Rizzo, Vincent’s son, took over the running of the winery
and kept much of the traditions in place. Ross expanded the winery and
began adding little shops making the winery into a small quaint village
of its own. He also added events for the community, like large family
BBQs bringing the community together. When Ross passed away in
2008 his children took over the management of the winery. His son
Ross Rizzo Jr. took over the reigns as winemaker and President. His
stepdaughter Selena Roberts became the General Manager and his Wedding Professionals Terri Lowrey and Meaghan Braun
other stepdaughter Samantha Nawrocki became Marketing &