Rancho Gordo
Contact
- (800) 599-8323
Where to Buy
Products
Breeds + Varieties
About the Farm
Background
The journey began with a frustration over the lack of local, ripe tomatoes in Napa, leading to the cultivation of heirloom beans like Rio Zape. The unique flavors and textures of these beans captivated the founder, who then started selling them at farmers' markets. This venture expanded into a warehouse, retail shop, and mail order business, gaining popularity and press coverage. The business is now a notable stop in Napa's wine country tours.
Practices
The farm emphasizes growing indigenous ingredients native to the Americas, with a particular passion for heirloom beans. They collaborate with larger growers in Central California, Oregon, Washington, and New Mexico, as well as small farms in Mexico through the Rancho Gordo-Xoxoc Project. The founder also sources unique legumes and herbs from South America, testing them in trial gardens in Napa to determine their suitability for production or seed-saving. The farm maintains a substantial seed bank and shares seeds through the Seeds Savers Exchange.
The Rest
The business has received significant press coverage from major publications such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Los Angeles Times. They encourage customers to grow their own beans, highlighting the ease and immediate rewards of the process. The farm's retail warehouse in Napa is a popular destination for visitors.