Presqu’ile Winery Buys Former Cannabis Ranch in Sta. Rita Hills

A prominent Santa Maria Valley winery is embracing new terroir a bit south in the Sta. Rita Hills, as Presqu’ile Winery purchased 1,100 acres in the Santa Ynez Valley southwest of Buellton last week. In addition to planting 45 acres of grapevines in the spring of 2025, the Murphy family — who came from the Mississippi Gulf Coast to create Presqu’ile 15 years ago — is seeking to conserve much of the land and potentially open hiking access to visitors in the future. 

Known as the Donovan Ranch, the property at 5930 Santa Rosa Road sits in the historic heart of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation, now considered one of the best places to grow pinot noir and chardonnay on the planet. Formerly home to the Iron Angel Ranch — a cannabis operation run by longtime farmer Frannie Shulman, who became involved in a lawsuit — the land is adjacent to the seminal Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, which was planted in the early 1970s, and across the Santa Ynez River from the critically acclaimed Sea Smoke Vineyard. 

“Our discovery of this land presented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire an unplanted tract, with an exciting address and the freedom to develop and farm the property as we see fit,” said Presqu’ile’s president Matt Murphy. His family got a taste of the Sta. Rita Hills by buying grapes from the region in 2020, expanding the brand’s portfolio beyond the estate wines grown on their 123-acre property just east of Orcutt in the Santa Maria Valley. 

Realizing that they had the opportunity to grow their own grapes on such hallowed ground was too much to pass up. Said Presqu’ile’s vineyard manager Andrew Heilbrun, “This is one of the last jewels yet to be discovered in the Sta. Rita Hills.” The family plans to use the to-be-planted pinot noir, chardonnay, and syrah in their own bottlings as well as sell grapes to other wineries. 

Only about 200 of the 1,100 acres are plantable, so the Murphy family is exploring conservation options for much of the balance. That could involve being part of the trail system that is being discussed as part of the County of Santa Barbara’s recreational master plan. Said cofounder Madison Murphy, “We are doing our early due diligence and exploring conservation easements and other stewardship opportunities.” 

The purchase price was not disclosed, but the ranch was last listed by the Radius Group for $7.5 million.