By TR Robertson
Next to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park lies the last undivided Mexican land grant in California: a sprawling 23,000-acre complex that today is a winery, cattle ranch, avocado farm, and popular wedding venue known as Rancho Guejito. This rancho was established in 1845, before California became a state. The rancho covers 36 square miles, or over 23,000 acres, and remains a working ranch. Much of Rancho Guejito is preserved land, looking like it did long, long ago, with chaparral grasslands and ancient Engelmann Oaks and California Live Oaks. Over 2,000 head of Black Angus cattle roam the backcountry, with some elevations rising above 4,000 feet. Many people drive past Rancho Guejito on San Pasqual Valley Road, unaware of the ranch’s significance or the range of activities that take place daily at this beautiful rancho.
Historically, what would become Rancho Guejito started on September 20, 1845, when Jose Maria Orozco, drove his horse-drawn wagon from Old Town San Diego to this vast section of land. Mexican Provincial Governor Pio Pico granted him the property as a land grant. This was one of 800 Mexican land-grant ranches awarded throughout California. The original property was 13,298 acres. The rancho grew in 1940 when 4,500 acres were acquired, including what was then the Maxcy Vineyard Ranch. Unfortunately, fires and the elements have destroyed all 500 original grapevines from the Maxcy Vineyard. Other properties were added over the years, most recently in 2006, when the historic Rockwood Ranch was added with its 300 acres. The Rancho Guejito Vineyard Tasting Room is the former Rockwood farmhouse, built in 1872. Until 2007, the rancho concentrated on cattle ranching. In 2007, Rancho Guejito Vineyard officially began planting grapevines on 111 acres of property, most of which was part of the former Rockwood Ranch. This makes Rancho Guejito the largest vineyard in San Diego County, along with acres of citrus and avocado trees.
The rancho has had eight owners over the years in an area that was once called Bear Valley, the original name for Valley Center. The current owner is the Rancho Guejito Corporation, led by Theodate Coates, daughter of industrialist/entrepreneur Benjamin Coates, who purchased the property in 1974. Benjamin Coates passed away in 2004. In the back country of the rancho are prehistoric American Indian archeological sites and hundreds of species of birds and animals like even multiple mountain lions.
Meeting with Chief Operations Officer/General Counsel for Rancho Guejito, Hank Rupp, it was evident of the importance being placed on maintaining the historical, agricultural, and overall significance of Rancho Guejito. Rupp has MBA, LLM-tax and LLM-agribusiness advanced law degrees maintaining his practicing attorney status in California, New York and Washington, D.C. His finance degree comes from the Argyros School of Business at Chapman University, and he has been a licensed attorney for 44 years. He has been at Rancho Guejito for some time dealing with a large number of issues that arise daily. He said they have 80 cameras throughout the property used to keep watch for fires, trespassers, pothunters, poachers, illegal hunting, monitor the Black Angus cattle and others looking for other problems that may come up. He said they do have security that will deal with individuals who are illegally on this private property taking part in activities they should not be doing. There are electronic collars on the cattle to assist with locating them. Hank also talked about the natural springs and irrigation that have to be monitored to ensure that the grapevines and citrus groves are always watered and the cattle have access to drinking water. There are 36 square miles of natural water sources throughout the property. The local adoption of water-efficient moisture sensors and a high-density planting method allows them to grow crops with one-fourth of the water used by other growers. It is important to maintain the historical significance of the rancho and preserve everything on the property. As an example, Hank said they lost 60,000 oak trees during the disastrous Witch Creek Fire. It is felt the cameras will assist in a quicker response in the case of a fire. He pointed out that every penny raised at Rancho Guejito goes back into the rancho to continually preserve it and improve the experience of visitors to the property. Rancho Guejito caters to parents and their children as well as adults who simply want to enjoy the winery. There are plans in the future for the addition of a 19,000 sq. ft. winery processing plant to handle the grapes grown on the property. It would also include rooms for indoor events.
Rancho Guejito has become a very popular location for weddings as there are several wedding locations at the rancho. There was a wedding going on the other side of the tasting bar during our visit. The “Hayride” was postponed so the noise of the tractor wouldn’t bother the ceremony or interfere with the recording of the wedding. The “Hayride” takes visitors on a wine tasting tour of the property. I was told that there are around 25 weddings planned for October. Go to www.ranchguejitoweddings.com for more information.
What most people come to Rancho Guejito for is to enjoy the wine on Saturdays or Sundays, visit with friends, enjoy the food and listen to the groups playing for that day. A band called Crossroads was playing Eagles, Journey and other rock classics on the day we were there. A large selection of wines is grown on the property and sold at the tasting room. These include Cabernet Sauvignon, Mouvedre, Grenache, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Syrah, Torrontes, Clairette Blanc, Toscano, and more outstanding blended varieties. The Tasting Room is open Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm-8pm. Wine tastings are $18 for three pours or $14 for a glass and $16 for Reserve wines. Sangria and Spritz are also offered. I tried the Spear Pinot Noir, a Chardonnay and a Chimney Flats Rose. All three were refreshing, and the Pinot was especially full bodied. Bottle prices ranged from around $38-$62, depending on the blend. The Rancho Guejito employees pouring the wines were attentive, informative and very friendly. Go to www.ranchoguejitovineyard.com for more information about the wines.
Most everyone enjoying Sunday at the winery brought food to enjoy. Large sails are hung above the many picnic benches offering shaded areas on the grass behind the main house and the area where the band Crossroads was setting up. There were groups with birthday cakes for parties, groups with baskets with an assortment of food to share and groups that were going to purchase food at the Artisan Deli located close to the picnic tables. Service there was also very quick and staff very friendly and accommodating. The menu is simple but extremely tasty, including charcuterie boxes. Our meal had a great taste and cost was very appropriate. Also available for drinks were sodas, water and lemonade. We had already picked out various wines at the wine bar.
The Family Friendly atmosphere was evident as children were playing around the tables and set up in front of the former Rockwood Farmhouse was a “bouncy house” for kids under 4 and water slide. Across from the house a tent covered Oside Handmade providing very creative artwork kids could do and two instructors to assist. There were tables and chairs in front of the wine bar that were beginning to fill as the afternoon wore on.
Many people that come to Rancho Guejito not only come to enjoy the wines, but they come to purchase the rancho’s 100% Grass-fed, all-natural, pasture raised beef. The beef has no hormones added, no antibiotics and is completely born and raised at Rancho Guejito. Available are Steak Boxes, a Rancho Sampler Steak Box, a Picnic & BBQ Box, and a Big Burger Box. Gift Cards are also available for different amounts. We got a Steak Box that contained Ribeye, New York Strip, Filet Mignon, Top Sirloin, Short Rib Flanken, Beef Bricks and a Beef Brisket Flat. The Rancho’s Beef Business is thought to be one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in San Diego County. Go to www.ranchoguejitobeef.com for more information.
Rancho Guejito Vineyard has everything for everybody. If you are looking for a relaxing, fun filled day for the family or just want to enjoy great wine and food this is a “you must visit” location just down the road from the entrance to San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Stop by you will not be disappointed.
