About SHEEP RANCH

Sheep Ranch is named for the Dunnigan Hills region’s long history of ranching, starting in the 1850’s as California began statehood. Because of the upland nature of the topography, the area was valued for its drainage and buffering from floods. The region is once again prized, not for its emerald green grasses but for the fruit of the vine. Sheep Ranch is divided into three separate vineyards planted in successive years starting in 2012. The western vineyard is all white grapes highlighted by Dijon clones of Chardonnay planted on Corning Red Gravel with extreme outcroppings of rock resulting in low yielding vines. The eastern parcels are all Spanish – Verdejo, Tempranillo and Tannat (Tannat has Spanish origins). This fruit is the backbone of the Tinto Rey Spanish portfolio with the Tempranillo clone coming from the Rioja region of Spain. Of all the ranches that make up Matchbook Wine Company, Sheep Ranch is the most diverse in topography dictating small parcels. In addition to the current vineyards, two more parcels are planned in the future, which will add another 25 acres of vines.