Charles Ranch

Fort Ross-Seaview

Charles Ranch vineyard was the 2nd vineyard to be planted on the far Sonoma Coast, in Fort Ross – Seaview AVA. George Charles (Carolyn Martinelli’s father) planted it to many people’s disbelief that grapes could ripen out there. The Ag Commissioner hesitated to give George a permit to plant because they didn’t believe grapes would grow out there due to the cooler temperatures. He did it anyway. He planted this vineyard on what was originally called by our family “Buffalo Hill.” George being a rancher at heart, had several bison. They were mean but beautiful, and eventually he had to give them up because he needed the pasture to plant his vineyard. Once George planted Chardonnay on this hill, he used his horse to sulfur the vines. He didn’t have a tractor, as sheep ranchers use horseback. So he put blinders on his horse, and shook burlap sacks of sulfur over the vines as he rode down each row. It’s what he knew, using what he had and making a go of it. He also didn’t think his sheep would ever eat grapes. He learned otherwise when one September day the sheep, which roamed freely, walked up to the picking bins and started eating the ripe, plump grapes. He realized then it was time to fence in the vineyard.