Discover the Benito Ranch Experience
What makes Benito Ranch truly special?
As a grape broker with a passion for sharing the tales behind exceptional vineyards, I am thrilled to introduce you to a truly remarkable treasure: Benito Ranch, nestled within the heart of San Benito and Santa Clara Counties. I might be a tad biased, but this ranch speaks to me. It tells the story of my youth each and every time I visit. It reminds me of where I come from, the summer days and school holidays spent here in the 90’s helping a family friend work the ranch in exchange for being taught the traditional training methods of the Californio bridle horse.
Once known as the San Felipe Ranch, this property boasts a rich agricultural and community heritage, shaped by Catherine O’Toole Murphy Dunne, who’s path to success was anything but easy. Read more about Catherine O’Toole Murphy Dunne here.
Arriving in California as a young immigrant, she faced immense challenges that would have daunted many. Yet, her determination and vision propelled her to become a successful businesswoman in an era when such achievements were rare. She built an empire dedicated to farming and community enrichment, which included this unique property.
Catherine poured not just her labor but her heart into this land, nurturing not only the soil but also the vibrant community that surrounds it, known as Dunneville. Her legacy is written in the very roots of the vineyard. Through the years, the ranch evolved into a working cattle ranch, walnut orchard, performance horse training ranch, as well as a row crop farm. Through each and every evolution, the stewards of this property worked hard to preserve its history, diversity, and integrity. Today, the San Felipe Ranch is affectionately known as “Benito” by those familiar with it.
This era of the property is managed with the same passion and dedication it is accustomed to by the owner’s judiciary, Jon Holzapfel, and farmed by Coastal Vineyard Care’s, Dan Lompa. Together, they have cultivated a vineyard that has the ability to hit multiple price points and wine styles for both red and white varietal wines programs.
