Manzanita Roasting Company: Handcrafted Coffee Hits Rancho Bernardo

San Diego's flourishing craft coffee club is adding a new member to its ranks with the freshly brewed Manzanita Roasting Company. Set within the picturesque family-owned and operated Bernardo Winery in Rancho Bernardo, husband and wife team Weston and Sam Nawrocki and officially open doors to their artisanal roasting facility early next month.

With a focus on sustainability and ethical practices from farm to roaster, specialty grade beans are sourced from California importers working directly with growers. Beans are roasted on-site in small batches using an energy-efficient Loring Roaster whose patented technology eliminates the need for an afterburner, which reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent.

Manzanita’s flagship offering is the El Gaucho Espresso, a natural process blend from Ethiopia, Colombia and El Salvador, with plans to develop a single origin espresso in the future. Other varieties include Sumatra, and Tanzania (which are grown at the base of Mount Kilamanjaro), while Brazilian beans are sent to Canada for the Swiss Water decaffeination process.

Vancouver native and head roaster Weston accounts his affinity for good coffee to growing up in the Pacific North West, his French culinary school education and sommelier training. While as a respected authority on wine and winemaking, in addition to managing the 125-year-old Bernardo Winery with her family, Sam also acts as spokeswoman and handles branding and marketing initiatives for Manzanita. With a shared passion and pride in sourcing and crafting fresh-roasted artisan coffee, their "goal is to make the finest cup of java in the most environmentally friendly way."

Housed in what was once the winery's glass-blowing building, the new roasting room is slated to open 9 a.m.. - 5 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday (roasting day), and Friday, with educational elements including pour-over and cupping demonstrations also in the works. The space will also be open by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Manzanita Roasting Company beans are currently available to purchase at Banana Dang Coffee in Oceanside, and V's Coffee Shoppe at the winery. Light bites at V’s include a savory Danish (toad-in-the-hole egg in ciabatta) and the ABC Sandwich, fresh pastries plus cheese and charcuterie plates - perfect alongside a tasting flight from the winery. While freshly made coffee drinks include the House brewed and roasted Manzanita; house roasted espresso, cappuccino, latte, au lait mocha and café blanco.

A grand opening reception is planned for Thursday, December 10 (5 - 9 p.m.), where attendees can look forward to giveaways, roasting demonstrations, a wine bar, air hockey and an official ribbon cutting. Keep up to the date with the latest happenings and events via Facebook and Instagram.