much like you would find in one of the local  historic parks. The only difference is these still are used in the operation of the ranch and vineyards. The site has a true Americana look and feel, especially during harvest season.

But don’t let the historic look and feel of the estate fool you, this is a fully contemporary winery dedicated to making world-class wine. The Pattersons embrace the concepts of sustainable farming and having as little impact on the environment as possible. To this end the operation is 100% solar powered. In addition, the dam you cross as you drive up to the winery encloses a picturesque pond, used to store water utilized to irrigate the organically farmed vineyards during the dry summers. It’s a great example of farming in harmony with the natural environment.

The refreshingly shady lawn area has several picnic tables under the massive spreading oaks, as does the patio area adjacent to the tasting room. Both picnic areas offer grand views of the vineyard and ranch lands, making them the perfect spot for a picnic lunch.

The Estate Vineyards:

The seven acres of vineyards at Shadow Ranch are planted to Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, Petite Sirah and a small number of Grenache vines. All of the vineyards are being farmed organically, and will be available for certification soon. The vineyards are planted in the fine grained, well drained, decomposed granite, which is common in the Fair Play region. The hilltop exposure positions the grapes to receive the cooling breezes in summer, preventing them from maturing too quickly. In the winter the hilltop exposure allows the cold air to drain and limit the damage from frost. This allows the grapes to stay on the vines long enough to develop the necessary complexity and concentration required to make great wine.    To Page 2 ...