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| Sierra Foothill Ranch |
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| Written by Administrator |
| Friday, 05 March 2010 15:36 |
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Price Reduced!
A unique opportunity to own a 714+/- acre ranch with rolling wildflower-filled meadows with specimen Oak and Pine trees nestled in the Sierra Foothills between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe. LOCATION: The Sierra Foothill Ranch is located approximately 45 miles east of Sacramento, two and a half hours drive east of the San Francisco Bay Area, and 15 minutes from the quaint gold rush town of Sutter Creek. Fiddletown, founded in 1849, once a Gold Rush mining camp that had the largest Chinese population outside of San Francisco, owes its renaissance to the area's well-known wineries and resulting tourism just minutes from the Ranch. Located on the doorstep of the Sierra, the closest ski resort, Kirkwood, is roughly an hour drive away, and Lake Tahoe is approximately an hour and a half drive. LOCALE: Amador County, historically known for its Gold Rush that started in the 1850's, was one of California's largest wine regions in the late 1800's. Following Prohibition in 1920, the local wine industry lay dormant until the late 1960's. Visionary people, especially grape growers and vintners, rediscovered the Gold Country, drawn to the area by its beautiful rolling hills, flowing rivers, warm climate (below the snow and above the Valley fog), and volcanic and decomposed granite soils. The area now boasts more than 2,700 acres in vines, with 25 wineries producing many red varieties, including some of the best Zinfandels in California. Located at around 2,000 feet elevation, the average annual rainfall is around 36 inches. Nearby attractions include the city of Folsom and its historic main street with an extensive choice of art galleries, cafes, and boutique stores. Folsom also has a large Outlet Mall and other major stores like REI, Costco, and Sam's Club. Folsom is an easy 45 minute drive from Fiddletown. There are also numerous golf courses nearby including Serrano at El Dorado Hills, Rancho Murieta Country Club and Castle Oaks in Ione, all are about 30 minutes driving time from the ranch.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Sierra Foothill Ranch consists of approximately 714 deeded acres with access and frontage on Fiddletown Road. A paved private driveway leads to the Ranch compound around a quarter mile from the public road. Miles of ranch roads travel over rolling grasslands and oak and pine forests to a nearby 24 acre foot pond, to numerous ground water springs (four have been developed), a babbling creek with waterfalls, and to a ridge-top that takes in 360 degree views from the snow-capped Sierra to Mount Diablo and the Coastal Range.
Historically used as a horse and cattle ranch, the Ranch is currently leased to a local rancher running around 100 head of cattle. The options for the future are endless as a family retreat and/or vineyard estate. Recreationally, one can enjoy tranquil hiking, biking, fishing, and horseback riding on the many trails throughout the Ranch. Wildlife abounds with deer, turkey, quail, geese, ducks, and multiple varieties of song birds, hawks, and other bird species. The perfect family recreational ranch, and you don't have to fly to Oregon, Montana or Colorado to enjoy it.
IMPROVEMENTS: The ranch compound includes a 1960's era ranch house consisting of approximately 1,600 square feet, with two bedrooms and two baths. The house enjoys hardwood floors, stucco exterior, a two-car garage, and a knoll-top setting with local views. There is a tractor shed/winery with an underground wine cellar used after harvesting the fruit from the two plus acres of dry-farmed grape vines adjoining the house. Other improvements include a tool/wood shed; six stall Horse Barn, Hay Barn, and old goat barn, all in need of some TLC.
WATER: There are two water wells on the Ranch, one is actively used for domestic purposes at the house. The second well is believed to be an older agricultural well in one of the fields (not actively used) and will need to be reviewed by a well serviceman. There are two creeks, one of which is year-round with a cascading waterfall in a tranquil setting. There is a fish-filled 24 acre foot pond with an earthen dam, having been built and permitted in the mid 1970's. One of the rarest attributes of this Ranch are the numerous springs throughout the ranch property, four of which have been improved with troughs for cattle and wildlife. There are many more to be developed and may provide opportunities to build additional ponds or lakes.
VINEYARD/VINEYARD POTENIAL: There are approximately 250 head-trained, dry-farmed wine grape vines that were planted in the 1960's, most of which are Zinfandel. There are a couple of dozen Cabernet Sauvignon trellised vines along the driveway to the house, all deer fenced. Within the American Viticulture Area of Fiddletown, the Ranch' s close proximity to the well-known vineyards of Shenandoah Valley, appears to offer potential for more than 200 acres of additional vineyards. With the warm climate (below the snow and above the Valley fog) and volcanic and decomposed granite soils (see Soils Map link above), the area boasts more than 2,700 acres in vines. Twenty-five nearby wineries produce many red varieties. Located at around 2,000 feet elevation with average annual rainfall around 36 inches, the climate is very similar to the world famous wine growing region around St. Helena in Napa Valley.
ZONING/LAND USE: Amador County Assessor' s parcels are 015-060-001, 015-030-003, 015-030-052 and 015-030-055. Amador County has designated the Ranch as Agricultural with a minimum parcel size of 40 acres. The Ranch is currently subject to a California Land Conservation Contract (Williamson Act), which limits the use of the Ranch to agricultural uses in return for dramatically reduced property taxes. While the ranch may currently be recognized as three parcels, we are led to believe that Certificates of Compliance for seven to eight legal parcels may be possible without going through the subdivision process. We recommend all interested parties contact Amador County' s Planning Department at 209-223-6380 for more detailed information on the Conservation Contract and the potential for existing and additional legal parcels.
Location Map (click here to see larger image)
Topography Map (click here to see larger image)
Soil Map (click here to see larger image)
BROKER' S COMMENTS: It is becoming increasingly hard to find large acreage ranches within a short drive from Sacramento and/or an easy 2-3 hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area. To find a ranch within a few minutes drive to scenic historic towns like Sutter Creek and Jackson for shopping and dining, only an hour to winter snow skiing in the High Sierra, and an hour and half drive to Lake Tahoe for additional recreational opportunities, are added pluses. The Ranch, with its privacy and gently rolling terrain offers the owner endless possibilities to build a wonderful family and/or vineyard retreat. Offering Price is $4,284,000. For further information or a private showing, contact: Terry Hundemer at 530-265-5774 or 530-913-8095. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it NOTE: The above mentioned and enclosed information may be subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. We urge all interested parties to independently verify all items of importance. The Chickering Company |
| Last Updated on Thursday, 22 July 2010 12:19 |
