Springtime at Pacheco Ranch Winery
Flowers and Grapes celebrates spring at Pacheco Ranch Winery in Marin County
On a brisk and sunny morning in February, Debbie and Herb Rowland graciously invited Flowers and Grapes into Pacheco Ranch Winery (PRW), their family’s private historic 70-acre vineyard and winery in eastern Marin County. PRW has produced complex cabernet wines at this historic site for generations, and winemaking is still a family affair. Herb Rowland is Ignacio Pacheco’s great-great-grandson and the manager of the vineyard. His wife Debbie is the head of finance and distribution. However, while we were there to capture the fleeting beauty of their blooming vineyard this spring, we also discovered the property’s stately historical elegance and learned about their family’s rich legacy as vintners in the celebrated wine country of Northern California.
It was a perfect day. A spectacular setting of neatly terraced hills bathed in late afternoon sunlight. The dormant vines dappled in light were silhouetted by glowing aura of golden Oxalis corniculate or yellow sorrel carpeting the vineyard. The bloom of yellow sorrel announces spring in this region of Marin and it can be found covering hillsides in the surrounding open space. While not as celebrated as its seasonal sister, the mustard bloom, found in wine country regions of Sonoma and Napa, yellow sorrel is equal in its delicate beauty of yellow spring blooms. Like mustard, yellow sorrel provides valuable nutrients for the soil when mulched and is beneficial to our natural landscape.
We were so excited and hurried to get into the vineyard to capture this spectacular scene for our photoshoot. However, as we entered an unassuming gate from the roadside, we were stopped in our tracks by the elegant historic Pacheco Family Estate and Carriage House hidden behind a fruit orchard and nestled between the surrounding terraced hillsides. We just had to learn more about this elegant historic site and legacy of winemakers who made it their home for generations. Today the Rowlands reside in this elegant historic home and the carriage house has been converted into a small modern winery. The handsome white winery is framed by a beautiful vibrant magnolia tulip tree now at its height in bloom for spring. PRW is a beautiful blend of wine country rustic and the simple, yet regal elegance of a time gone by.
The stately white, two-story Italianate home built in 1876 by Gumesindo Pacheco stands as a monument to their family’s rich history in wine making in Northern California. “The winery site was originally part of an 1840 Mexican land grant to Ignacio Pacheco and since then, has been continually occupied by his descendants” shared Debbie. Ignacio Pacheco, who was one of California’s early pioneers, settled in what is now Marin County in 1840. Ignacio is believed to have been the first to plant grape vines in the region and his influence can still be seen in the names of places throughout the area. The vineyards that climb the slopes surrounding the historic Pacheco home were revived in 1970 and have been expanded since. They are planted solely with Cabernet Sauvignon vines which are “dry-farmed.”
The land has been in the family for over a century and a half and to this day remains a family affair. “A heritage of excellence” has become the slogan of Pacheco Ranch Winery because of the rich family history that can be appreciated in every aspect of the estate bottled wine. We were so appreciative to the Rowlands for opening their stunning vineyard and historic home to Flowers and Grapes.
If you wish to visit this private boutique family winery, reservations are required and limited during Covid19. Please contact Pacheco Ranch Winery to schedule appointments for tastings and event planning. We invite you to celebrate spring with Pacheco Ranch Winery and more Flowers & Grapes!
Behind the Scenes at PRW with Flower & Grapes
Click on our cover to read more about PRW and more of our adventures in wine country!
