Beltane Ranch

This picture was taken last night, but I'm using it today because it was such a special evening.  Beltane Ranch  was acquired by  Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space, in 2004 and is still a working ranch with  a small inn.  Members of their wine club can enjoy special dinners or wine and cheese with produce from the garden,  feed the burros (mother and daughter) or visit the chickens whose coop is a repurposed trailer. Two vigilant dogs protect the sheep grazing around a large pond. 

The first official Beltane Ranch vineyard was established in 1879 when the old mission style grapevines were grafted to Cabernet and Chardonnay . Merlot was first introduced to California here in 1883. 

The ranch was purchased  in 1892 and the farmhouse was built by Mary Ellen Pleasant , the daughter of slaves with a colorful history  managing boarding houses and brothels and arranging marriages in San Francisco. Her partner was Scottish banker, Thomas Bell. The name Beltane refers to Bell as well as the ancient Celtic festival of Beltane, a celebration of fertility. Pleasant designed and built the ranch house* whose architecture,  reflects her New Orleans  heritage.

The land is now protected from future development and the current family retains the ranch continuing a 120 year history of hospitality. The house is currently closed due to Covid restrictions, but we were greeted at the entrance * by Lauren,  a current owner with glasses of estate rosé. The ranch barely escaped the Nun's  fire of 2017 (the same one  that threatened our house). She told us that she didn't think they would have to drop the zinfandel grapes still on the vine as they are showing no signs yet of smoke taint.

After a wander round the property  with the help of a hand made map we made our way to our long farm table under a 300 year old oak next to the vineyard. They have other venues widely scattered over the property including next to the produce garden, or on the lawn by the farmhouse. Our two hostesses were back and forth in their land rover all evening, pouring wine, bringing lanterns as it got dark and generally making sure everyone was happy.

We were....

My little brother turned 70 today. Rather than say how I was less than thrilled when he joined the family 70 years ago, I will simply say that we are now best of friends and mutual supporters. Happy birthday, Ricky! I love you....