Ask Bruce Renfrew
A dream, like fine wine, becomes refined over time. Located just a 20-minute drive southeast of San Andreas, California, discover Chatom Vineyards, spanning 745.12 acres in the foothills of Calaveras County.
In 1980, Chatom Vineyards owner Gay Callan left her native city of San Francisco to pursue her own agrarian dream of planting a vineyard. An early pioneer of growing legendary grapes in the Sierra Foothill region, the vineyard now boasts about 60 ± planted acres with 13 grape varietals, with more plantable acreage possible. The grapes are planted with 7x12 spacing and irrigated with agricultural wells utilizing a drip irrigation system. Gay and her family’s ambitious journey with Chatom Vineyards over the decades serves as a subtle reminder that anything worthwhile in life takes sacrifice, time, grit, and patience.
With its natural attributes and large acreage, the property stands uniquely positioned for a new owner to pursue a variety of agricultural or recreational opportunities. The property’s water resources include permitted water rights, agricultural wells, two ponds, a natural spring, and Indian Creek. Currently, the property has a capability of housing 60-80 head seasonally.
The highlights of the property’s headquarters are a 4,300 sq. ft. main home with four bedrooms and two bathrooms including a large chef’s kitchen, spacious vaulted living room with floor-to-ceiling windows and fireplace with rock mantle. An inground pool off the back deck offers a refreshing escape on warm days. Two additional homes are available for guests or property staff. A distinctive red barn, complete with corrals and a squeeze chute, provides essential infrastructure for livestock handling. A shop with a large roll-up door, garage/office, equipment shed, and various outbuildings provide ample space for necessary equipment and tools.
Come experience the abundance of outdoor recreation and wildlife. Deer, birds, and coyotes are frequently spotted throughout the property. Miles of trails are available for horseback riding, ATV riding, hiking, biking, and hunting.
Now it is time to pass the baton for a new owner to pursue their dream to further strengthen the vineyard or reimagine this beautiful landscape to fulfill other innovative pursuits.
PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS:
