Summary
Our dairy was founded in 1999 with eight East Friesian ewes, one ram sired by a national champion and the dream of creating handcrafted sheep milk cheese. Over the years of careful tending, the flock has grown to 200 ewes with the addition of a small herd of Nubian goats. Because we care about nurturing the soil, the animals and our family, no herbicides, pesticides or artificial fertilizers are used on our pastures, and no hormones are given to our animals.
The approach to Rinconada Dairy takes you through rolling ranchlands covered with oaks and pines. Drive through the wagon wheel gates to the rustic hacienda style ranch house where you will be welcomed by your hosts Christine and Jim Maguire.
You will stay in the colorful Fiesta Room with private bath, located in the guest wing, which also includes an inviting reading nook with a view of the patio and gardens. Wireless computer interface available. You’ll start each morning in the cheerful farmhouse kitchen enjoying a sumptuous gourmet breakfast prepared by Christine, a graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute in New York City. Select your own eggs from the henhouse, or pick berries in season from the abundant vines in the organic garden.
Experience the typical ranch day while you work in the organic garden, observe the cheese making during milking season, feed the sheep and goats, and perhaps help in the milking or lambing. You may also choose to explore this spectacular 92-acre ranch at your leisure and search for the bedrock mortars (Indian grinding holes) and hidden petroglyphs.
It is a birder’s paradise, and the sprawling garden includes a Petanque court for a casual game of boule. Your hosts will help you plan adventures in the county which might include hiking the Rinconada trail, tasting at the fine local wineries, photographing wildflowers, dining in one of the many gourmet restaurants or visiting a farmers market.
Source: www.rinconadadairy.com
Features
Food:
Breakfast, Self preparation, Happy Hour, Organic, Refreshments
Amenities:
Full kitchen, Linens provided, Internet, Ground-floor bedroom, Great View, Private Bath, Radiant Floor Heat, Free WiFi, Library, Refrigerator, Pond
Activities & Animals
Animals, Chickens, Hiking, Biking, Gardening, Planting / harvesting, Bird Watching, Wine touring, Sheep, Goats, Pigs, Milking, Berry picking, Dairy tour, Turkeys, Ducks, Cheese Making, Organic farming, Help with chores
Allowed
Children under 12, Weddings, Special Events