Lots of connections helped make Art, Wine and Music Festival a success

The 13th annual Ramona Art, Wine and Music Festival was by all measures a success, according to the hundreds of art, wine and music enthusiasts who descended on Begent Art Ranch for the Nov. 1 event.

Described by one guest as a “blending of the best Ramona has to offer,” festival-goers said they valued the personal connections and interactions they made during the day.

The festival was the primary fundraiser of the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural project. 

“The Mural Project — a series of murals on buildings all across town — was designed to promote Ramona and to increase tourism; to get folks to stop, shop and sip wine and other spirits and spend more time in Ramona,” said Lisa Barnett, treasurer for the mural project. “The festival is how we get money to paint the town.”

The money is used to commission new murals, as well as maintain the current murals, she said.

The Begent Art Ranch, owned by art lovers David and Molly Begent, has long served as the festival’s home. David has filled the 52-acre grounds with his own sculptures and art pieces, while Molly owns the 2Create Gallery in town.

For the festival, more than 50 vendor booths and artists, as well as 11 wineries and a distillery, were dispersed across the grounds. All the areas were within sight of a stage with a musician or band, and each stage area had ample seating for guests who wanted to sit and sip in the shade. There were also two food vendors on site, Rachel’s Cafe and Eatery and Badas Burers, who kept up with lines of hungry customers.

The interaction between artists such as Terry Truett and those enjoying their work was replayed throughout the day. 

Truett, who won this year’s artist contest with a painting of a glass of red wine, surrounded by bold musical notes and splashes of bright colors, was beaming as she greeted guests.

Nancy Bernstorff and Terri Lopez, both from Ramona, said they were delighted by Truett’s artwork.

“The vibrant colors look natural. The subjects are perfect and show so much creativity,” Bernstorff said.

Truett said she was having a “fabulous” day.

“The day has been beautiful and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves,” she said. 

“It’s so pleasing how much everyone loves art and especially art with wine and horse themes,” she said, pointing to several empty spaces in her booth where her pieces briefly hung before being sold.

By early afternoon, Truett had sold seven paintings, a painted and decorated pumpkin and one of her palm art pieces featuring a zebra face.

“I’ve met so many people because of this contest and this event,” she said. “Although we’ve lived in Ramona for four years, this has really made me feel at home.”

Tastings were offered by local wineries, and San Diego Sunshine Distillery poured craft spirits.

The interaction between Hillary Galkin-Griffith from Three Hills Winery and Carol Erenyi, visiting for the weekend from Laguna Niguel with her husband, was typical of those whose wine tastings were precursors to future winery visits. 

Erenyi first became familiar with Ramona after meeting up with some friends for a “girls’ hike” to Potato Chip Rock, she said. After enjoying some “good wine, great views and nice people,” she said she was looking for an excuse to come back.

“I just fell in love with Ramona. Just look around — the rocks, the weather, even the food is artsy,” Erenyi said, gesturing to the vendors. “I feel so far away from Orange County.”

As she helped Erenyi choose a wine for tasting, Galkin-Griffith said the day had been “very pleasant.”

“We have perfect weather, lots of friendly people, everyone is happy to be here, there’s lots of shopping bags, and a nice flow of attendees,” she said. “There’s really something for everyone.”

Leslie Delaney, owner of Lilac Heights Bakery, also appreciated the steady flow of customers to her booth, which featured decorated cookies and other baked treats.

“Everyone has been very chatty, and they are looking for local businesses to support,” she said in between answering questions from visitors. “A lot of people said they had so much fun last year they wanted to return.”

This marked the second year musicians have joined the event. Many guests sat and sipped their wine while listening to musical performances from a dozen artists across three stages.

“Red wine and blue skies — what more could you ask for?” said one man to his companion, while the pair watched Riptide, a musical duo of Julie Rogelstad and Dave Penic.

The live and silent auctions, with the live auction hosted by comedian Josh Lawson, were also highlights at the event.

A full painted wine barrel was the highest seller of the live auction, bringing in $2,000. An original painting sold for $575; a painted wine cabinet, $675; a painted room divider, $850 and a big basket, $325. A painted half barrel sold for $325, while another barrel adorned with metal sold for $450.

The silent auction raised a further $5,300 in funding.

“It was definitely another successful year, and we are already starting to plan for next year,” Barnett said. “We love feedback, so please let us know how we can improve.”

The all-volunteer Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project was co-founder of the event with the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association.