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Why did you name the ranch Azul y Oro? Whenever
we leave the rancho, our lingering memory is always of the sunlit, golden hills against the azure colored sky. Since
this has been an enduring image throughout history, blue and gold were the colors chosen for the state colors of California.
In Springtime, the golden hills are filled with brilliant poppies and blue lupine, emphasizing, again, the blue and gold.
The state colors, blue and gold, were also chosen by the University of California, which has been attended now by two generations
of our family. It is only fitting that the ranch name reflect our heritage and our present lingering memory of the ranch.
What's
the weather like in San Miguel?
Is there much wildlife nearby?
What is there to do at the rancho? If you're a ranch hand, there's always some work to do and time to relax.
If you're a visitor and if you're satisfied with meandering through wine country by day, enjoying great restaurants
or a BBQ and watching the sun go down or listening to the wind through the trees or watching lizards run across the patio
or stargazing or reading a book or magazine on the patio or in front of the fire, you'll be just fine at the rancho.
If the hustle and bustle of the city is a must-have in your life or you cannot do without high speed internet access or you
expect Stuart to talk with you for two days, you're not ranch material.
I know you go to Hearst Castle a lot, but I haven't been, will you go with me? No. Unfortunately, our maximum allowable visits to Hearst Castle have
been exceeded for the year -- and quite possibly the decade -- so we'll be happy to give you precise directions and send
you on your journey and will look forward to meeting you in town to hear all about it over a good glass of wine.
Does anyone ever have fun at the rancho? It is practically resort living at its finest.
Speaking of resort living, how's the neighborhood? As long
as no one is shooting at us, we consider it a good day.
Any other things I need to know before visiting? Yes. We cannot permit any campfires,
smoking, matches, etc. We are in a precarious brush fire zone and do not allow any type of this activity.
Can
I drive my vehicle on the property? Do
you drive your vehicle on your lawn? Of course not. We do not permit driving any type of vehicle on any part
of the property besides the driveway. Why? Driving on the property destroys the grass, which we need for erosion
control in winter to prevent mudslides and which the cows need in spring and summer for food. Also, you could hit a
cow.
How are the road conditions? Generally poor to pathetic. The two-mile stretch from the mailbox to our gate is dirt, dust, and gravel.
Don't bring one of those fancy, high performance city cars.
How do I get to the rancho? We
purposely chose a retreat property in order to retreat. It is a remote property. The closest airport is San Jose,
about a three-hour drive. After flying into San Jose, you will need to rent a car and drive south on the 101.
Assuming you've been given rancho clearance, we'll give you directions from there.
When can we visit the ranch? While we'd like
to accommodate every request for a visit, the fact is that we're only at the ranch about two weekends per month, and since
it is a working ranch, those doing the work need to spend one of those weekends per month attending to the grapevines,
the olives, the weeds, and irrigation repair. Additionally, immediate family generally is given first priority, and
all three-day weekends are blocked out for our use. Spring and winter are our busiest work times, so visits during those
time periods do not work for us..
I still want to visit you. When can I come? Due to business travel, Bella Vista
maintenance, ranch maintenance, and harvesting of the olives, brining the olives, lavender, and soon, the grapes and making
wine, our calendars must be carefully planned months, and at times, a year in advance. These activities do not
permit the level of flexibility that most people enjoy. If we say we are not available please do not take
this personally or request us to change our existing plans. We are asked to do this frequently and cannot change
existing plans as it makes our schedules unmanageable. Thank you, in advance, for understanding.
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