Our Ranches
The Tecolote Vineyard, Santa Maria, CA.
The Tecolote Vineyard is named after the Tecolote Tunnel in Santa Barbara, where Robert’s grandfather worked in the 1950s. Robert and Araceli acquired the land in 2018 and, in 2020, planted two clones of Pinot Noir grapes.
Tecolote Vineyard sits in the heart of the Santa Maria AVA, a region known for its ideal cool-climate growing conditions. Shadowed by the Sierra Madre mountain range to the north and influenced by the Pacific Ocean to the west, the vineyard benefits from cool overnight temperatures, foggy mornings, and the coastal breezes that define Santa Maria’s renowned winegrowing environment.
The Tecolote Vineyard is a Sustainability in Practice (SIP)–certified vineyard, reflecting a commitment to responsible and ethical farming. This certification represents a dedication to caring for the soil, protecting the environment, and honoring the hardworking hands of the people who tend the vines.
Rancho Arroyo Prieto,
Valle De Guadalpe, Jalisco.
This historic ranch once belonged to Robert’s great-grandfather, Valentín Ramírez. It was later acquired by Robert’s father, Juan, and today Robert and his brothers manage the property. Rancho Arroyo Prieto is a unique property sitting at approximately 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) above sea level and it reflects the soils and environment characteristic of the Jalisco highlands.
The ranch was traditionally used for cattle grazing and has slowly transitioned into corn production. Looking ahead, the González family envisions Rancho Arroyo Prieto as a future cultivation of agave weber azul, for the production of tequila.
R.J. Ranch, Bradley, CA.
This is the largest of the Gonzalez Ranch Co. properties—just under 700 acres of flatlands, rolling hills, and chaparral forest. The R.J. Ranch, named after Robert and Araceli’s two boys, Roberto and Jakob, offers a diverse representation of California’s Central Coast landscape.
Steeped in history, the ranch provides a glimpse into California’s ranching past with its adobe ruins, a nearly 100-year-old barn, and the original grain silos that still stand today. This beautiful property is truly a window to the past.
At the same time, the R.J. Ranch represents the future of The Gonzalez Ranch Co. operations. With its expansive and versatile landscape, the possibilities are wide open—whether running cattle, developing an additional vineyard, or even planting agave for the production of California agave spirits.