Volume 17 , Issue 12

NW Okie's Journey

Over a week or so ago we arrived back in Colorado, through Oklahoma and down to Texas after touring the Oregon and California coastline. We also visited a couple of wineries in Lake County, California (Cache Creek and Brassfield).

The Brassfield winery was one of those wineries, which is the home of Clark Gables' fountain that once resided at Gable's southern California estate.

Brassfield Winery, Lake County, California

The Ranch House is considered by some to be the oldest dwelling in Lake County, California. It was built in the 1850's to 1860's. It was associated with the earliest settlement of High Valley and the beginnings of agriculture in Lake County. It is a one and one half story version of a Greek revival home. Swiss immigrants, Joachin and Anna Durst were the first known owners of the property in the 1860's. They were among the earliest settlers in Lake County. Samuel T. Weston occupied the ranch in late 19th and early 20th centuries. Aaron and Julia Shaul acquired the property in 1923. Additions were made in the 1930's and restored in the early 21st century. The Brassfield family bought the property and house in 1973 and is currently one of the finest wineries in California.

In 1973, Jerry Brassfield purchased 1,600 acres of the High Valley as a cattle ranch and wildlife reserve. Since then, he's increased the acreage of his High Serenity Ranch to 2,500 acres, which include the towering eastern Round Mountain volcano. Much is still left as wilderness, and the homestead of one of the pioneering rancher families of Lake County is preserved on the land.

Brassfield, a California entrepreneur in his 70s, grew up on an almond and alfalfa ranch in the San Joaquin Valley. He made his fortune selling vitamins and food supplements through his company GNLD, and still travels the world for his company.

All the while, Brassfield has been slowly growing his mountaintop winery. He began planting grapes in 1998. Today about 160 acres are planted to grapes, and a grand, Italian-style winery has just opened, dwarfing the nearby farmhouse of the old ranch.

Good Night! Good Luck!
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