The Atwood Ranch vineyard in Glen Ellen is nestled at the base of the Glen Ellen Highlands, on the site of an early Sonoma Valley vineyard.  Glen Ellen is the "Home Ranch," with a 20-acre vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes on the site of one of the first bonded wineries in the Sonoma Valley.  The land has grown fine wine grapes since the mid 1800's, and today is known for its quality Cabernet Sauvignon.  The ranch supports sustainable/nature friendly farming practices. Atwood Ranch and its viticulturist, Tish Ward, pioneered, and continues to be a leader in the area of creek restoration, fish-friendly farming, and community relations through their work with local schools and stewardship programs.

Natural products such as kelp, fish, and organic micronutrients are used to feed the vines and, thanks to the ranch horses, composting is done on site.   

Tish Ward explains the Dry Well Project to Community Leaders at the Ranch The Dry Well Project helps to both capture rainwater into a huge, underground bin the barn roof, as well as prevent erosion and excessive runoff to properties below the ranch.

Nesting boxes support a healthy population of native blue birds and swallows who perform the task of insect control.  The entire ranch is cover-cropped with native grasses and is bordered by a creek which has been restored and supports a viable steelhead trout population.

Local school children have recently helped to install wood duck nesting boxes along the creek, and three hens had broods this year.  The kids are collecting data, maintaining the boxes, and are gearing up to assist Tish with two more nature-friendly projects.  One project will benefit songbirds, and the second will involve water conservation that will help to recharge the ranches' well water system.

The Atwood Ranch in Glen Ellen is one part of a diverse agricultural program committed to responsible land stewardship.  Other Atwood ranches, devoted to the breeding of Quarter Horses, Brahman and Braford cattle, and grass hay farming, are located in Red Bluff, Orland, Corning, Oregon, and Texas.

CONSERVATION

Atwood Ranches are scattered throughout Northern California.  Quarter horses, cattle, farming grapes, grass hay & other crops are raised on our ranches, integrating conservation practices.

Fora number of years, we have worked with such groups as the EPA, the Audobon Society, Coastal Conservancy, California Waterfowl Association, Fish & Game, and Water Quality Control Board, and Soil Conservation District to protect and preserve the land.

Other ranches in Orland and Red Bluff, are the headquarters for the Quarter Horse and Cattle Divisions, respectively.  Working cow horses with the "AR" brand are making their mark in cutting and reining competitions all over the US.  The ranch also maintains its own home-bred remuda of horses for use in the cattle operation, and to sell to other ranches utilizing horses in traditional ways.  The purebred Brahman and Braford cattle are raised in Red Bluff, on one of the oldest cattle ranches in the state.

All of the Atwood Ranches employ sustainable agriculture practices, resulting in increased or re-established populations of wildlife.  Steelhead Salmon, brown trout, wood ducks and other migratory waterfowl, and raptors have all been beneficiaries of Atwood Ranch conservation and farming practices.

VINEYARD MANAGER TISH WARD

Our ranch manager, Tish Ward, is a California native, who wanted to be a farmer from the age of 3.  After studying in Africa under Dr. Louis R. Leakey, Tish went into marketing and public relations for BART.  Tish eventually tossed out her heels, came to Sonoma County and became a volunteer fire fighter, while studying viticulture at Santa Rosa Junior College.

Tish has been the viticulturist and manager for the Atwood Ranch farming programs for 15 years.  She is currently President of the Board for the Southern Sonoma County Resource Conservation District, and serves on several technical advisory committees promoting sustainable agriculture in Sonoma and Mendocino counties.