4150 Soda Bay Road · Lakeport, CA 95453
707-349-8742Big Valley Basin · Lake County · California
Rooted in Volcanic
Earth & Legacy
Sustainably certified wine grapes and Bartlett pears grown at the edge of Clearlake, where volcanic soil meets a century of Italian-California farming heritage.
Where Volcanic Soil
Meets Living Water
Quercus Ranch sits in the heart of the Big Valley Basin in Lake County, California — a structural basin bordered by the Mayacamas Mountains to the west and south, Mount Konocti to the east, and the shimmering expanse of Clearlake to the north. This unique geography creates a convergence of forces that is rare in any agricultural region.
The ranch takes its name from the ancient valley oaks — Quercus lobata — that have stood sentinel over this land for centuries, their roots reaching deep into the same volcanic soils that nourish the vines and orchards above. These oaks are not merely landscape; they are living markers of the land's enduring character.
Here, the afternoon coastal breezes that funnel through the western mountain passes cool the vineyards during the warmest summer days, slowing ripening and preserving the natural acidity that gives Big Valley wines their distinctive structure and freshness.
"The gravel seams in Big Valley produce intense and balanced wines."
Lake County Winegrape Commission
The Language of the Land
Volcanic minerals, coastal air, and ancient lake water — the forces that shape every grape and pear grown at Quercus Ranch.
Volcanic Foundation
Big Valley sits atop the Clear Lake Volcanic Field, one of the youngest volcanic regions in California. The soils are rich in obsidian, pumice, and volcanic ash — mineral deposits that impart complex savory, mineral-driven character to wines and fruits alike.
Coastal Breeze Influence
Afternoon breezes funnel through the Mayacamas passes from the Pacific coast, cooling the vineyards during warm summer days. This thermal regulation slows ripening, preserving natural acidity and ensuring grapes achieve full phenolic ripeness without sacrificing freshness.
Elevated UV Intensity
At 1,329 feet elevation, Big Valley receives up to 10% more UV radiation than sea-level valleys. This triggers thicker grape skins, greater tannin development, and wines of exceptional concentration and phenolic depth.
Lake Influence
Clearlake — California's largest natural freshwater lake — moderates temperatures year-round. The lake's thermal mass buffers extreme heat and cold, extending the growing season and creating ideal conditions for both wine grapes and Bartlett pears.
Gravel & Clay Seams
The ancient lakebed soils of Big Valley feature a distinctive mix of gravel seams, clay, and loam, amended over millennia by volcanic runoff. The gravel seams force vine roots deep, stressing them productively and concentrating flavors.
Rain Shadow Climate
The surrounding mountains create a slight rain shadow over Big Valley, producing cool, dry conditions ideal for early-ripening varieties. This natural protection from excess moisture reduces disease pressure and supports sustainable farming.
"Named for a volcanic caldera lake, Lake County features some of the youngest volcanic soils in California — soils that build unique, complex flavors found nowhere else."
Lake County Winegrape Commission
Two Crops, One Singular Terroir
Quercus Ranch grows both wine grapes and Bartlett pears — two crops that have defined Lake County agriculture for over a century, thriving together in the unique volcanic soils and lake-tempered climate of Big Valley Basin across 480+ combined acres.
Mineral-Driven Wines
from Volcanic Soils
The Big Valley District AVA is renowned for producing wines of exceptional mineral complexity. The volcanic soils — rich in obsidian, pumice, and ancient lake sediment — impart distinctive savory, slightly salty notes and a depth of flavor that sets Lake County wines apart.
Higher elevation and intense UV exposure produce grapes with thicker skins, greater tannin structure, and concentrated phenolic content. Afternoon coastal breezes preserve natural acidity, creating wines that are both powerful and elegant.
Varietals Available
A Legacy Fruit of
Lake County
Lake County's pear-growing tradition stretches back to 1889, when the first Bartlett pear orchards were planted in the Big Valley. The region's volcanic soils and lake-moderated climate proved ideal for producing pears of exceptional sweetness, texture, and flavor.
Quercus Ranch continues this proud tradition across 200 acres, growing Bartlett pears that benefit from the same mineral-rich soils and coastal breezes that distinguish the ranch's wine grapes. The volcanic mineral content builds unique aromatic complexity and natural sweetness in the fruit.
Lake County pears gained national recognition as early as the 1889 New Orleans World's Fair. Quercus Ranch pears are presold annually — inquire early to secure your allocation.
California's Oldest
Natural Lake
Clearlake is not merely a scenic backdrop to Quercus Ranch — it is a defining force of the entire Big Valley ecosystem. At nearly 500,000 years old, it is one of the oldest lakes in North America, and California's largest natural freshwater lake entirely within the state.
The lake's thermal mass moderates temperatures throughout the year, buffering the vineyards and orchards against extreme heat and cold. Its proximity creates the unique microclimate that makes Big Valley one of the coolest Lake County AVAs, despite its inland location.
The lake sits within the Clear Lake Volcanic Field, surrounded by evidence of geological forces still at work — hot springs, volcanic peaks including Mount Konocti, and soils rich in the mineral deposits that give Quercus Ranch its distinctive terroir.
Farming for the
Next Generation
At Quercus Ranch, sustainable farming is not a marketing claim — it is a generational commitment. Owner Mark Navone and ranch manager Baeza Agricultural Company share a philosophy rooted in the belief that the land must be left better than it was found.
This means making decisions with a long view: protecting the volcanic soils that took millennia to form, preserving the water quality of ancient Clearlake, and maintaining the biodiversity that makes Big Valley Basin one of the most ecologically rich agricultural regions in Northern California.
Sustainable Certification
Quercus Ranch holds Sustainably Certified Farming status, meeting rigorous standards for environmental stewardship, worker wellbeing, and community engagement. This certification reflects a deep commitment to farming in harmony with the land.
Cover Cropping
Native wildflowers and cover crops grow between vine and orchard rows, building soil health, preventing erosion, and providing habitat for beneficial insects and pollinators. The living floor of the ranch is as important as what grows above it.
Integrated Pest Management
Owl boxes and raptor perches throughout the ranch invite natural predators to control rodent and pest populations. This biological approach reduces the need for chemical interventions and supports the ranch's broader biodiversity goals.
Water Stewardship
Careful water management practices protect the health of Clearlake and its watershed. Drip irrigation, soil moisture monitoring, and strategic cover cropping minimize runoff and preserve the water quality of this ancient and irreplaceable lake.
Soil Health
Composting, minimal tillage, and organic matter management maintain and improve the volcanic soils that are the foundation of Quercus Ranch's quality. Healthy soil biology is the invisible engine of every great crop.
Canopy Management
Thoughtful vine and tree canopy management maximizes air circulation, reduces disease pressure, and ensures even ripening across the ranch. The afternoon breezes that dry the canopy naturally are a key tool in the sustainable farming toolkit.
A Living Landscape
at the Water's Edge
Quercus Ranch sits at the edge of Clearlake — California's largest natural freshwater lake and one of the oldest lakes in North America, at nearly 500,000 years old. This ancient waterbody is a sanctuary of biodiversity unlike any other in the state.
The lake and its surrounding wetlands, tule marshes, and oak woodlands support year-round populations of bald eagles, great blue herons, white pelicans, osprey, grebes, and dozens of other bird species. The surrounding hills are home to deer, bear, mountain lion, and a rich community of smaller mammals.
For Quercus Ranch, this biodiversity is not a backdrop — it is a partner. The raptors that nest in ranch owl boxes control pest populations. The native wildflowers that bloom between vine rows feed the pollinators that sustain the orchard. The ancient oaks that give the ranch its name shelter songbirds and shade the soil.
Species of the Ranch & Clearlake Basin
Year-round resident, nests near Clearlake shores
Wades the shallows hunting fish at dawn and dusk
Seasonal visitor, glides in formation over the lake
Expert fisher, frequently seen diving over Clearlake
Year-round lake resident, known for courtship dances
Clearlake record: 17.52 lbs — world-class fishery
Roam the ranch edges and surrounding oak woodlands
Inhabits the surrounding Mayacamas mountain slopes
Apex predator of the Clear Lake basin ecosystem
Nests in ranch owl boxes, controls insect pests
Perches on vineyard posts, hunts voles and mice
Occasional visitor from nearby protected habitat
A Century of Roots
in California Soil
"The land remembers every hand that has worked it."
The Navone family's story is woven into the fabric of Northern California agriculture. Arriving from Italy over a century ago, they brought with them not just farming skills, but a philosophy of land stewardship rooted in the Italian tradition of terroir— the belief that place shapes flavor, and that the farmer's role is to express that place as faithfully as possible.
From the Napa Valley to the Big Valley Basin of Lake County, this family has followed the land's potential, always seeking the places where volcanic soil, water, and climate converge to produce something extraordinary.
Italian Immigrants Arrive
Italian immigrants begin arriving in Northern California, drawn by the Gold Rush and the promise of fertile land. Many settle in the Napa Valley and surrounding regions, recognizing the landscape's similarity to their homeland. The Navone family among them, bringing centuries of agricultural knowledge from Italy.
Lake County Agriculture Flourishes
Big Valley earns the name 'garden spot of Lake County.' The first vineyards are planted in the 1870s, and by 1900, internationally recognized wines are being produced. Bartlett pear orchards take root, gaining national acclaim at the 1889 New Orleans World's Fair.
Prohibition & Resilience
Prohibition temporarily halts the wine industry across California. Lake County farmers adapt, diversifying into pears and other crops. The Navone family's deep roots in the land sustain them through this difficult period, as they have sustained generations before.
Wine Renaissance
Big Valley growers rediscover the region's winegrape potential, planting the first new vineyards in Lake County since Prohibition. The unique volcanic terroir begins to attract attention from winemakers seeking distinctive, mineral-driven fruit.
Quercus Ranch Today
Under the ownership of Mark Navone — a fourth-generation farmer whose family has farmed Northern California for over a century — Quercus Ranch represents the culmination of this long agricultural heritage. In partnership with the Baeza Agricultural Company, the ranch continues to evolve while honoring the land and the legacy of those who came before.
The People Behind
the Ranch
Quercus Ranch is the product of a partnership between a generational farming family and a dedicated ranch management team — united by a shared commitment to the land, to quality, and to sustainable stewardship.
Mark Navone
Owner & Steward
A fourth-generation farmer whose family has farmed Northern California for over a century, Mark Navone brings a lifetime of agricultural knowledge and a deep personal connection to the land. His family's Italian roots in the Napa Valley instilled in him a philosophy of farming as stewardship — a responsibility to the land, to the community, and to the generations that will follow. Mark's vision for Quercus Ranch is rooted in this heritage: to produce exceptional wine grapes and pears while leaving the land better than he found it.
Brandon Baeza
Ranch Manager · Baeza Agricultural Co.
Brandon Baeza brings hands-on expertise and a deep commitment to sustainable farming practices to the day-to-day management of Quercus Ranch. As part of the Baeza Agricultural Company, he works closely with Mark Navone to implement the ranch's vision for quality and stewardship, overseeing vineyard and orchard operations with meticulous attention to both the science and the art of farming.
Brent Baeza
Ranch Operations · Baeza Agricultural Co.
Brent Baeza contributes deep operational knowledge and a practical approach to ranch management. His expertise in vineyard and orchard care ensures that every vine and tree at Quercus Ranch receives the attention it needs to produce fruit of the highest quality, while maintaining the sustainable practices that define the ranch's approach to farming.
Ciriaco Baeza
Ranch Operations · Baeza Agricultural Co.
Ciriaco Baeza brings a wealth of experience and a generational connection to agricultural work in Northern California. As part of the Baeza family team, he plays a vital role in the daily care of Quercus Ranch, ensuring that the sustainable farming practices and quality standards that define the operation are upheld throughout every season.
Baeza Agricultural Company
The Baeza Agricultural Company is the ranch management partner for Quercus Ranch, bringing expertise in sustainable viticulture and orchard management to the Big Valley Basin. The Baeza family — Brandon, Brent, and Ciriaco — work in close collaboration with owner Mark Navone to implement the ranch's vision for quality, sustainability, and land stewardship. Their hands-on approach and deep knowledge of Lake County's unique growing conditions are essential to the ranch's success.
Connect with
Quercus Ranch
Whether you are a winemaker seeking exceptional Lake County fruit, a researcher interested in Big Valley terroir, or someone who shares our passion for sustainable agriculture and the natural world, we welcome your inquiry.
Lakeport, CA 95453
Big Valley Basin, Lake County
Big Valley District · Lake County AVA
Brandon, Brent & Ciriaco Baeza
Send a General Inquiry
For harvest and purchasing inquiries, please contact Michael Wegner directly at 707-349-8742.