Tour Host Profile

Owners Ron and Vicky Morris have fulfilled their retirement dream to establish a successful foothills vineyard and winery. Their Secret Ravine Vineyard & Winery is dedicated to “producing fine wines from locally grown grapes” using sustainable agricultural practices -- organic materials, integrated pest management, and minimal disturbance to the environment.

Their winery and vineyard are located on nearly five acres in the Loomis Basin near Secret Ravine Creek, about 27 miles northeast of Sacramento. Ron, the winemaker, holds a Ph.D. in industrial engineering from Texas A&M and teaches a course entitled “Establishing a Small Vineyard” at Sierra College in Rocklin.

Ron is committed to producing quality grapes “because good wine comes from good grapes.” He emphasizes, “Our efforts are directed to maximizing the full varietal character and terroir of grapes from our vineyard and from those vineyards owned by our friends and neighbors.” That goal makes a lot of sense. Regions similar to the Loomis Basin include the Cotes du Rhone, Tuscany, and the northern Napa & Sonoma Valleys. These all share long growing season, hot summer days and cool nights, shallow foothill soils, and water for irrigation -- ideal conditions for production of mature fruit with character.

“In Europe,” Vicky notes, “wine-tasting is more of a casual, homey, sit-down experience, with an emphasis on where the product comes from. When wine-tasting at Secret Ravine, we encourage visitors to talk about the wine, taste it and appreciate where it came from -- right out there in the vineyard.”

With 2,000 grapevines on site and a total of 5,000 vines on two other properties nearby, Ron and Vicky Morris are realizing their dream. They also helped establish the Placer County Wine & Grape Association, which has grown to more than 75 members.

Farm & Barn Tour Activities

Home   AGROart   Farm Events   Hotel Specials   Sponsors   Ticket Sales
For information: (530)885-5670 |

Created by Blue Cat Studio, Inc