PROPERTY DESCRIPTION:

The historic 1412 acre R&R Ranch has long been recognized as the gem of Potter Valley. The Ranch embodies its own unique microsystem within the greater Potter Valley basin and is second to none as California’s premier wildlife epicenter. Far removed from public access and behind locked gates, the journey into the Ranch unfolds as if opening a picture book. Passing through the Ranch’s entrance the valley floor opens up to large expansive views of idyllic pasture bisected by a live creek and ancient valley oaks. Rising from this floor and creating a stunning backdrop are the oak and fir studded mountains and ridges that encircle and protect while dramatic rock outcroppings act almost as sentries to this magnificence.  Giving vitality to this picture is the wildlife that has made the Ranch their sanctuary. Here you will find large herds of Tule Elk feeding and roving in the morning and evening in the valley while sleeping away the day in the protective folds of the mountains. Blacktail deer, wild pigs, black bears can be found throughout the Ranch while quail, grouse, and migratory birds could be found in lower wetland areas. Situated in the heart of the Ranch is the historic 3500 sq. ft. Victorian Farmhouse was built in the 1890s. Serving as the Ranch’s Headquarters, these premises exude an aura of a simpler time void of modern’s life frivolity. With 6 bedrooms and 2 bath, the headquarters has played host to literally decades of fabled festivities. Long the exclusive hunting retreat and playground of a prominent Bay Area Family, the Ranch was a renowned destination spot. In years passed, the field in the back was transformed into a makeshift airstrip to shuttle the many guests. The stories are rumored to be deserving of epic reference. Besides the Headquarters, there are 3 barns/outbuildings scattered throughout. Water is procured from a domestic well and springs. One significant spring has historically been used to irrigate pasture. Currently, about 12 acres are irrigated and another 150 to 180 acres have been dry-farmed and hayed. In addition, there are 2 sizable ponds on the Ranch While hunting was one of the primary activities of the Ranch, conservation was always at the forefront of the Owner’s mind. Farm practices stressed wildlife proliferation over profit from domestic livestock. The Tule Elk herd went from a handful of animals to sustainably huntable population it is today. The Ranch is a participant in California Ranch for Wildlife (aka Private Land Management Program - PLM) wherein the Owner cooperates with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in exchange for the ability to issue hunting tags. Currently, the Ranch receives 2 bull tags and 6 cow tags though that number is due to increase. Of course, there is the traditional season for other wildlife.  In keeping with the Owner’s dedication to conservation, the Ranch has been placed into a limited conservation easement with Mendocino Land Trust wherein the parcels were merged preventing the Ranch from being parceled out in the future though having very limited impact on the use, enjoyment, and appropriate development of the Ranch in the future. More importantly, this easement allows for a reduction in property tax liability for the new owner. The potential uses of the Ranch are many. There are approximately 40 acres of vineyard land and approximately another 150 to 200 acres of orchard land.  Cattle and sheep grazing is always an option. The Ranch’s immense open pasture lends itself to a first-rate equestrian center. For those wanting a more modern abode, there are a number of stunning building sites that would accommodate the development of the same. Rarely does a ranch of this magnitude with this amount of useable ground and these many natural attributes in an accessible area come to market.