Notes from the host
Bluebird Ranch Near Marimar Estate Vineyard
Beautifully renovated house with new appliances, hot tub, infinity deck, sofa sleeper and much more.
*This property is designated as Historical
*License LIC23-0041- This is a legal Vrbo
"The Ranch", as we call it has been in the family since 1871 and started off as a two story house on 52 acres of Redwood forest near Sebastopol and Occidental, CA. In 1906, the Great San Francisco Earthquake brought much of the home down, and it was rebuilt as an 1100 sq ft single story home with with the original redwood and fir flooring that it has today! These floors were restored as best possible in 2017.
Over the years it served various land uses with the 1950's seeing the start of Rome Apple production. The land was an apple orchard until 2016 when the Far Niente wine group leased 6.5 acres and re-purposed our hill for Pinot Noir production. The new label these grapes go to is EnRoute, and is in the same wine family as Far Niente, Dolce, Nickel & Nickel and Bella Union.
For all of 2016 and 2017, the winery prepped the land and planted fertilizing ground growth. The vines were finally put in Spring of 2018. The vineyard is fenced off, so you aren't able to walk through it. But you can enjoy the views! However, there is a 100 year old Pinot vine right behind the back deck you can pick the grapes from if the deer don't beat you to it. There are also several apple trees left that fruit in the fall.
The house itself feels larger than it is since it has 10ft ceilings and large rooms. Additional light has been added and the house has a very airy open feel, with two very large fans in the living room. The house does not have central heating or air. Since it located within ten nautical miles from the coast, the evenings are almost always cool and enjoyable in the summer. For winter, electric heaters work well and there is an efficient wood stove for you use. Firewood is included.
Upon arrival, prepare to relax on the deck with your complimentary chilled bottle of Bowman Cellars Rose of Pinot Noir. Bowman is located in Graton, just minutes from Bluebird Ranch and hosts wine tastings, regular menu items, and various pop up dinners. The Big Bottom Biscuit Bullet, a guest weekend food truck, offers a delicious selection of sweet and savory delights from Guerneville’s favorite gourmet deli and marketplace. Open seasonally on Saturdays and Sundays from 11-4, this classic Airstream trailer will accompany you as you sit back and enjoy their gourmet biscuit sandwiches in their pet friendly patio area. Utilize one of our complimentary 2 x 1 wine tasting vouchers and refill your Rose bottle at a discount!
When you aren't wine tasting, or enjoying the many highly rated farm to table restaurants sit back on the rear deck and watch the hawks and other birds fly around. Sometimes you'll see deer, or even "Dirty Bob"- our resident bobcat. Pick blackberries, apples, peaches and walnuts. Again, if you can get to them before the critters.
Sonoma County is unique in that it has so many quaint little towns with their own microclimates. You can wind through redwood groves or take a drive along the gorgeous California coast and be sure that you will run into a sweet little town with a few family owned restaurants and unique shops. Bluebird Ranch is centrally located so that you can enjoy a taste of them all! Here are some of our favorite locals' stomping grounds and haunts and the drive times from the ranch.
Occidental- 5 minutes, Cutest little old train stop town! Howard's Station (wonderful breakfast and lunch and even a dog menu for the front porch!), Union Hotel- bar and restaurant, Negri's- bar and restaurant. Lots of locals, juke boxes, and two old family owned Italian restaurants. Go ziplining through the redwoods with Sonoma Canopy Tours. Drive to the coast via the incredibly scenic Coleman Valley Road just to the left of Negri's. You won't be disappointed!
Graton- 5 minutes, The Underwood (tied for best burger and a very nice upbeat restaurant- great happy hour), Willow Wood Cafe (awesome breakfast) Bowman Cellars, several wineries
Freestone- 5 minutes, Wild Flour Bakery is a must! Lattes, coffee or hot chocolate, pastries, and incredible bread for a picnic or a dinner on our deck
Sebastopol- 7 minutes, Loads of wonderful eateries! The Barlow for shopping, wine tasting, breweries, ice cream, and more. It is a bustling bohemian town! Visit Furthermore Wines for some bocce ball outside surrounded by grape vines and then go antiquing at one of the many antique shops around the perimeters of town.
Valley Ford- 10 minutes, Everyone must eat at Rocker Oysterfeller's- tied for best burger! Self proclaimed funky eatery and saloon serving southern comfort food. And the burger. Great happy hour.
Bodega- 15 minutes, Visit the church and schoolhouse from The Birds. Stop for a beer at The Casino. You will enjoy the locals and the sweet but feisty owner, Evelyn. If you are a Hitchcock fan, there is even a statue in front of the little town store for your photo opportunity. Check out the gallery in town with local art.
Bodega Bay- 20 minutes, Visit Tides Wharf, another site from The Birds. Warm up with some clam chowder at Spud Point Crab Company, call ahead for a reservation for Terrapin Creek Cafe, which was awarded an acclaimed Michelin Star, or sit at the old marina at Gourmet Au Bay and watch the sandpipers. Bodega Head is beautiful for a hike above the Pacific while you watch for Grey whales March - June. Golf 18 holes at The Links at Bodega Harbour, a internationally recognized premier golf course overlooking Bodega Bay.
Dillon Beach - 29 minutes, A dog beach!!! A favorite spot for our pups. Long, beautiful beach in a quaint ocean village.. a short drive from Valley Ford. Green rolling hills with lots of cows along the drive. Visit Dillon Beach Coastal Kitchen before or after a day of play on the beach. Local, fresh food.
Forestville - 15 minutes, Visit Kozlowski Farms for a pie or jams, numerous wineries, coffee shops, nice restaurants. Bike or walk the West County Trail (paved) from Forestville to Sebastopol. Take a canoe trip down the river from Burke's Canoe Trips.
Duncans Mills - 23 minutes, Cute little river town stop with The Blue Heron. Live music most weekends, outdoor patio, dog friendly. Tons of locals. Antique shopping galore.
Guerneville-25 minutes, The Russian River! River float, kayak, fish, sunbathe. Hopping, eclectic and welcoming river town. Great restaurants, dive bars, happy people! Stump Town Brewery has a scenic deck overlooking the river and is dog friendly. Armstrong Redwoods State Park hosts beautiful redwood groves and marvelous hiking trails. Tons of wineries off West Side Road and along River Road. Taste some bubbly at Korbel.
Jenner - 30 minutes, Where the Russian River meets the Pacific. Gorgeous coastline, beautiful beaches, Goat Rock, dog beach. More kayaking. The River's End restaurant is a must for a beautiful sunset and craft cocktails and upscale food.
Marshall - 35 minutes, Technically Marin County, but needs to make the list. Sit outside at Nick's Cove and overlook the serene Tomales Bay. Beautiful and very relaxing. Take a hike at the incredibly beautiful Point Reyes National Seashore. Shuck oysters at Hog Island Oyster Company.... the oysters are raised right there on location in Tomales Bay so they are fresh each day.
When we tell people we are from Sebastopol, people always ask.. .where's that? So we tell them one hour north of San Francisco and 20 minutes west of Santa Rosa. Along with the little lesser known places above, we also boast some of the bigger, well known, players in Wine Country.
Santa Rosa - 20 minutes, Check out 4th Street, loaded with restaurants, bars, shops, or railroad square with more shops and restaurants. Take a hot air balloon ride with Wine Country Balloons or go ice skating at Snoopy's Home Ice, followed by a stop at the Charles M. Schulz Museum for some Peanuts history. Hike Sugarloaf.
Healdsburg - 30 minutes, Charming downtown square with shops, restaurants, galleries all within a stone's throw of the square. Venturing out in all directions are countless wineries in Dry Creek Valley. Grab a gourmet deli sandwich and picnic supplies or just hang out on the porch at the Dry Creek General Store, established in 1881. You are sure to have some lively discussions in the creaky chairs on the front porch. If you have a boat, take it out to Lake Sonoma for warm day on the water.
Geyserville - 40 minutes, When we have guests in town, we often go to Francis Ford Coppola Winery and Restaurant. Eat at Rustic on the beautiful patio overlooking the picturesque Alexander Valley or reserve a spot for the day at the 3,600 square foot pool with full service from the pool bar and restaurant. Shop for souvenirs at his Coppola Movie Museum and enjoy items and costumes from his movie sets. The little town of Geyserville is darling. More good food, drinks, shops, wineries, and galleries.
Sonoma - 55 minutes, Sonoma hosts another charming town square. Visit the Sonoma Mission or Sonoma Jack Cheese Factory. The Girl and the Fig is one of our favorite Sonoma County restaurants.
Things to consider:
*This is a 150 year old house and there will be creaks in the floor and other older house issues.
*You will be on a working vineyard, so expect there to be workers behind the fence at times. There may also be tractors and other equipment running.
*There is no air conditioning, but the house rarely gets hot due to the proximity to the coast. However, there are times in the fall that don't cool off as they usually do. There are plenty of ceiling fans and floor fans.
*You are in the country so be mindful of your pets. There are coyotes, bob cats, red tailed hawks and even the occasional mountain lion.
We hope you will choose our historical farm house for your visit to wine country!