The Santa Ynez Ranch
The Vision
At the Santa Ynez Ranch, we believe long-lasting change starts small. While changing the minds of the world is a noble cause, we choose to impact what we can control- our own practices. That’s why we’re doing our part to create a sustainability ripple effect that grows from our backyard to the community at large. This ranch is the change we want for the world: a world with biodiversity and sustainable farming as commonplace. We’ve already begun this mission with our family and friends, and hope to expand next to our county, and then beyond. We have challenged ourselves to see what our ranch can be at its very best, and now we’re challenging you to do the same.
Santa Ynez Ranch will be the first self-sustaining winery in Santa Barbara county, using regenerative farming and community outreach to push wine-making in the county towards sustainability.
When Scott Ehrlich took over the Santa Ynez Ranch, he knew he wanted to turn the winery into something more.
While doing research into the process of winemaking, the board of directors discovered the staggering amount of wine waste being produced and hauled off to landfills. The team looked at this waste and saw opportunities, both environmental and community-based. From a community perspective, Santa Ynez Ranch can not only set an example for other wineries in Santa Barbara county, but can directly reduce the amount of waste thrown out by repurposing that waste into useful products. With the combination of big dreams and economic reality, the project plan for the Ranch gradually formed.
Education has always been the most used word in every discussion about the Ranch’s sustainable future. The constant overarching goal of this project is to educate the winemaking community towards bettering itself and the quality of the land they grow on. The classic saying goes: “Teach someone to fish, they eat for life,” and that’s exactly what we want to do. By educating others to do better, we can together create a healthier, less wasteful future for the environment.
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Santa Ynez Ranch will be the first self-sustaining winery in Santa Barbara county, using regenerative farming and community outreach to push wine-making in the county towards sustainability.
When Scott Ehrlich took over the Santa Ynez Ranch, he knew he wanted to turn the winery into something more.
While doing research into the process of winemaking, the board of directors discovered the staggering amount of wine waste being produced and hauled off to landfills. The team looked at this waste and saw opportunities, both environmental and community-based. From a community perspective, Santa Ynez Ranch can not only set an example for other wineries in Santa Barbara county, but can directly reduce the amount of waste thrown out by repurposing that waste into useful products. With the combination of big dreams and economic reality, the project plan for the Ranch gradually formed.
Education has always been the most used word in every discussion about the Ranch’s sustainable future. The constant overarching goal of this project is to educate the winemaking community towards bettering itself and the quality of the land they grow on. The classic saying goes: “Teach someone to fish, they eat for life,” and that’s exactly what we want to do. By educating others to do better, we can together create a healthier, less wasteful future for the environment.
CHAPTER 3
Chapter 3 is partnering with Santa Ynez Ranch to exemplify an exuberant sense of what is possible for sustainable agriculture using practical and scalable regenerative practices for its commercial agricultural wine operation. Through education, awareness, and fundraising efforts Chapter 3 believes we can lead the outcome of guiding the agricultural community in biodiversity and sustainable farming through leadership-by-example and awareness/educational events at the Ranch.
Santa Ynez, CA
Just two hours north of Los Angeles, and about four hours south of the San Francisco Bay Area, sits the Santa Ynez Valley – the heart of Santa Barbara County wine country, on California’s Central Coast.
The Santa Ynez Valley is located in Santa Barbara County, California, between the Santa Ynez Mountains to the south and the San Rafael Mountains to the north. The Santa Ynez River flows through the valley from east to west. The Santa Ynez Valley is separated from the Los Alamos Valley, to the northwest, by the Purisima Hills, and from the Santa Maria Valley by the Solomon Hills. The Santa Rita Hills separate the Santa Ynez Valley from the Santa Rita and Lompoc Valleys to the west.
About 9.5 million gallons of wine are produced annually, in Santa Barbara County. Tasting through the region’s many varieties – Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, plus Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese and Riesling, to name a few – can work up quite an appetite. Santa Barbara County wine country rises to the food and wine occasion, with singular cuisines and stand-out restaurants.
