A Stones Throw Winery was originally founded in 2002 out of Trabuco Canyon and operated as a small boutique winery called Hamilton Oaks Vineyard and Winery Inc. In 2012 the winery opened a second tasting room as Hamilton Oaks San Juan in the historic Swanner House in San Juan Capistrano, on the 3-acre property amongst the orange groves. In 2016 a group of former Marines and retired Marines formed a new partnership with Giracci Vineyards and Farms to establish A Stones Throw Winery. The winery is thrilled to have the expertise of the Giracci Team and the support of some-hard charging Marines.
Chad and Linda Kearns and Giracci Vineyards were approached about the property, known to locals as “The Swanner House”, in July of 2016 and re-opened the tasting room for business December 18th 2016. They had spent the better part of a decade rehabilitating a historic property in the east Orange County canyons and were intrigued by finding a larger second location that could provide a venue for weddings for up to 400 guests.
Owned by the City of San Juan Capistrano, the historic farmhouse sits on 2.6 acres and is surrounded be Valencia orange trees. In need of much tender loving care, Chad and Linda got to work, with the help of friends and family, pruning and watering and replanting and maintaining the grounds surrounding the event center for weddings, concerts, corporate and fundraising events, and converting the vacant home into a tasting room, art gallery of local artists, and a bride’s room. This historic home now serves as the tasting room for Hamilton Oaks’ award-winning wines.
They planted 4 rows of Mission vines, seen above, bringing a little bit of local history to the site. Mission vines were brought to the San Juan Capistrano Mission from Spain by Father Serra, California’s premier winegrower.
People from all around the country visit this unique property, bringing cheese and crackers, picnics, dogs, bikes, and even horses. There is plenty of outdoor seating as well as seating for a small group in the Tank House or small parties and gatherings in the Carriage House.