Jason Goelz is clearly excited about his recent $2.5-million purchase of a 378-acre, largely unspoiled former ranch site in the pristine hills of west Gilroy, a vast expanse of undulating hillsides nestled in the valley wall he plans to soon set on track to become one of the region’s premiere event, recreation and winery venues.
The owner of Jason-Stephens Winery in Gilroy, Goelz beamed as he drove an open-cab Kubota utility cart on a tour of the property – first stopping at the site’s late-1800s Victorian mansion that can only generously be described as a fixer-upper.
“It was built in 1884, we believe,” Goelz, 37, said of the nine-bedroom, nine-bathroom, two-basement house that has suffered some disrepair since the previous owner stopped visiting the former summer retreat.
Continuing the tour of the rolling hills and folding valleys, he gleefully pointed out the patches of land he has already picked out to plant more vineyards, gnarly old oak and redwood trees, former horse sheds that could provide quiet picnic areas, and stops briefly at his “favorite” spot atop a windswept hill.
Goelz has big plans, which has long been known as Lion Oaks Ranch but has never been open for public commercial use.
The 1999 Cal Poly graduate who hails from the Midwest wants to share it with the public by turning it into a luxury resort, event center, restaurant, recreation area and – naturally – a wine tasting destination.
Goelz first became aware of the property on Hecker Pass – just a couple miles west of the intersection of Watsonville Road – when it was listed in October 2012. He visited in February and “fell in love.” With the help of an undisclosed investor, he closed on the purchase in July.
The property had been owned by generations of the same San Francisco family for as long as Goelz can tell. The former owner’s last use of the site was for a weekend and vacation retreat.
Goelz hopes to retain the current character of the property, which remains a testament to the history of Santa Clara Valley agriculture with four barns and some existing vineyards.
While his plans are at least 18 months from fruition, with extensive work to be done and a long wait for permits, Goelz is eager to establish an idyllic getaway that can meet what local tourism proponents say is a demand throughout Silicon Valley for more spots catering to weekend weddings, corporate retreats, wine enthusiasts and even recreation seekers. Currently other major players in that arena include Guglielmo Winery in Morgan Hill, Léal Vineyards at Willow Heights Mansion in northwest Morgan Hill and Clos LaChance Winery in San Martin, to name a handful.
Gilroy Welcome Center Executive Director Jane Howard was not familiar with Goelz’ recent purchase and plans when contacted Wednesday, but she said it “sounds wonderful.” Currently, when responding to requests from visitors for recommendations for luxury, high-end resort sites, the only local place that’s in the category is CordeValle Resort in San Martin.
“Any time I hear about those kind of amenities with that size a property, it’s exciting,” Howard said. “This would be a wonderful addition to what Gilroy offers in terms of wine tasting, shopping, the downtown experience and dining.”
Goelz runs Jason-Stephens winery at 11775 Watsonville Road in partnership with grape grower Steve Dorcich. That site is on about 45 acres of vineyards and associated facilities where Goelz plans to keep his production operation after he develops Lion Oaks Ranch. That property is owned by Dorcich, who owns and manages the winery’s current vineyards, and sells his grapes to Goelz. Goelz said he hasn’t determined if he will enlist Dorcich or another grower to manage the vineyards he plans to grow at Lion Oaks Ranch.
Jason-Stephens winery produces about 18,000 cases of wine per year, Goelz said. That number represents recent significant growth, since Goelz entered into a sales and promotion contract with the San Francisco Wine Exchange which has facilitated the entry of Jason-Stephens wine into markets in 30 states.
“My goal here (at Lion Oaks Ranch) is to focus on the customer experience, locally,” Goelz explained. “Great food, wine, attractions (will) all come together. It will put this area on the map from a wine tourism perspective.”
The future resort could even be a boon to Jason Stephens’ two dozen or so fellow wineries in Santa Clara Valley who are always clamoring for more visitors, according to Santa Clara Valley Wineries Association President Sheldon Haynie.
“If (more people) go to Santa Clara Valley as a tourist destination, that’s a positive for the residents of the valley,” said Haynie, who co-owns Lightheart Cellars winery with his wife. “I have hopes (Goelz’ future resort) will be a tasteful and positive thing, and what I’ve seen Jason do is encouraging that. I’ve seen his tasting room, and he makes good wine. In the Santa Clara Valley we’re pretty collaborative. We’d rather people come to us than head north or to Paso (Robles).”
Goelz’ plans also include converting four barns – still in their farming state, albeit empty – into a variety of tasting rooms, game rooms, “party spots” for possible late-night post-wedding revelry, a lounge and wine storage. He even envisions transforming the ranch’s horse barn into a day spa.
A smaller house on the edge of the property next to Hecker Pass Highway will be perfect for a tasting room that will more than double the size of the public tasting room at Jason-Stephens’ headquarters on Watsonville Road, Goelz said. He hopes to start the development with the new tasting room, which he wants to open in about a year.
The big house, after extensive renovations, will provide ideal living suites for brides, grooms and wedding parties, as well as a “VIP dining room” for the restaurant Goelz envisions for the same building, he said. A courtyard space in front of the house is a likely venue for wedding receptions, and Goelz plans to grow a garden to supply fresh produce for the restaurant and outdoor dining patio on the other side of the Victorian. Goelz has a local chef in mind to run the restaurant, but he’s not ready to reveal who that is.
Goelz also plans to plant up to 40 acres of vineyards for his winery on the property, bringing Jason Stephens’ total grape acreage – counting the vineyards on Watsonville Road – to about 60 acres, Goelz said.
Even recreation seekers might find it hard to pass up a visit to the property once Goelz develops it, as more than 20 miles of trails and fire roads, a shared property line with Mount Madonna County Park, and sweeping views of the South Valley grace the ranch.
“You can’t find a lot of properties like this so close to Silicon Valley” that are available for luxury use, Goelz said. “I really want to share it with people.”
