EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
La Panza Ranch is a 14,750 acre ranch in San Luis Obispo County, California. The ranch represents a unique opportunity to acquire a turnkey, multifaceted holding, that includes an active cattle and agricultural operation. There is an expansive family compound of the highest quality, a 280 acre high-density olive grove, cattle pastures, alfalfa, hay, and recreational land. The acquisition includes a state-of-the-art olive oil mill.
Auction Date and Location:
Tuesday, April 12th at 11:00 am Pacific Time
Held Onsite at the Primary Residence
Information Days:
Wednesday, March 16th & March 30th from 10:00am to 12:00 noon Pacific Time
Private showings are available by appointment
Verifiable proof of financial capability will be required to visit the property and attend the auction.
Offered in cooperation with Lance Dore of California Outdoor Properties.
LOCALE
In an ...
In an uncertain world, La Panza represents a private retreat and a step back into its rich history as part of old California. The property and operation are private, secure, and essentially self-contained in a bucolic setting with abundant wildlife, dramatic landscapes with views in every direction, and no sacrifice of any modern amenity. With over 50 wells, natural springs, and three reservoirs, water is abundant at La Panza. All of this, yet well-located along State Highway 58 with a less than one-hour drive to San Luis Obisbo and Morro Bay and less than two-hours to Bakersfield, both having municipal airports. La Panza also has its own helipad and area for a private airstrip.
HISTORY
La Panza Ranch features a fascinating history of outlaws. The ranch is well known for once being owned in the 1860s by Drury James, uncle of the infamous outlaws Jesse and Frank James. The brothers visited and worked on the ranch in 1868 when Jesse was recovering from bullet wounds from a bank robbery. He came to bathe in the sulfur springs at Uncle Drurys Hot Springs Hotel in Paso Robles. Drury James is also credited as the founder of Paso Robles. The brothers stay was without incident, and they left a year later.
Throughout the years, the ranch was operated by various cattle partnerships and individuals. The Cowell Foundation owned La Panza Ranch for 55 years. The familys patriarch, Henry Cowell, had extensive holdings in San Francisco as well as several ranches throughout California.
In 1996, the property was sold to Robert Petersen of Petersen Publishing in Los Angeles. Petersen used the ranch for hunting and entertaining his race car driver friends and other notables, including Tom Selleck.
In 2003, Mike Leprino read about the La Panza Ranch in an article in the Wall Street Journal. He saw great potential in the 18,000 acres, so he and his daughters embarked on a new adventure as ranch owners and operators of the legendary La Panza Ranch.
Today, the multi-generational Leprino family gathers at the ranch to enjoy ranch life and the beauty of the property. Legend has it that the ghost of Jesse James still rides in the old oak groves during a full moon!
ACREAGE (DEEDED & LEASED)
280 acres of olive trees
200 acres of oat hay
130 acres of alfalfa
300 acres of forage hay
101 acres of grape vineyard infrastructure
Balance in cattle grazing, recreational land, and improvements
Deeded Acres: 14,750
BLM Leased Acres: 3,300
Total Leased Acres: 3,300
Total Acres: 18,050
IMPROVEMENTS
La Panza Ranch boasts an elegant 5,500 square foot hacienda-style main home. The property includes a guest cottage, bunkhouse, putting green, helicopter pad, 100 miles of ranch roads, horse barns, hay barns, equipment sheds, extensive fencing, and state-of-the-art olive mill complete with nearby office and ranch managers home.
WATER RESOURCES
There are over 50 wells, three reservoirs, and natural springs. The ranch is intersected by San Luis Creek, and several smaller creeks.
RECREATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
The area has prolific wildlife including black bears, mountain lions, tule elk, deer, wild pigs, bobcats, coyotes, turkeys, golden eagles, hawks, quail, and doves. Additionally, a herd of tule elk frequents the ranchs water troughs.
Recreation here is whatever you want it to be with options ranging from hunting and fishing to hiking and horseback riding. Finding something to do outside is never a challenge inside the boundaries of this ranch.
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