Ground covers such as red clover, mustard and fava beans carpet the vineyards in late winter and early spring replenishing the soil with nutrients.

Paul Moore’s sculpture of Francis of Assisi, patron saint of La Rusticana, stands in front of a Merlot vineyard. The stone retaining walls prevent erosion and retain heat to help the grapes ripen.

Fall in the vineyard.

The Dorsas have planted the five traditional Bordeaux grape varieties at La Rusticana d’Orsa Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot to blend for an exceptional red table wine. The original planting began in 1991 at an elevation between 1,000 to 1,200 feet with a northwestern exposure. There are currently 4 acres under vine with an annual production of 1.5 to 2.0 tons per acre. The vines are tended by hand with meticulous attention to every detail.

Frank enjoys working in the vineyards throughout the year. When it comes time each winter to prune the vines, he sets aside entire vineyards to prune by himself. This simple task, his favorite, bonds him with the earth. The care that Frank lavishes on his grapes has been greatly rewarded for such a recently established vineyard. The result is a quality wine, soft and pliant with flavors of ripe plum, chocolate and mint.

On the ranch, the changes of seasons are best expressed in the vineyards. Spring: twisting sculptural forms begin to show life as their winter gray turns to green. Summer: green leaves nourished by sun and soil, protect tiny green grapes in their shade. Fall: leaves turn yellow, orange, and red and the grape clusters show their distinctive colors. Winter: after the harvest when the shriveled, brown leaves have fallen, gray sculptural forms reappear, now large and elaborate rather than minimal.