Life at the Ranch
Hello! We thought we should start by introducing some of the incredible people who make the ranch run and bring our beautiful roses to the world.
Chris and Evin along with their kids, Drew and Gwen own the ranch and do a bit of everything around here.
Chris is the head of all things ranch and if you ask Evin, knows how to fix anything (thankfully!). He’s always up for the new ideas Evin throws out and is the one who has made this dream happen. He’s built our fertigator, solar system and also the many housing projects to keep the place running. He’s also asked Evin to pause on new ideas for a little bit…
Chris inspecting roses at Hermosa Ranch.
On any given day, you can find Evin deadheading roses, planting new bushes, mulching a fallen branch, chasing after the kids who are likely chasing after chickens or saying “what if…to Chris”. She’s not up at the ranch full time anymore due to school and work in the city (more on that in another post) but loves every minute of being up there.
Evin in the Hermosa Ranch “Marie” Rose Field, named for Chris’ Grandmother.
Drew is often found driving the tractor and helping with whatever new task comes up. Gwen is our resident chicken keeper and rose seller who will gladly arrange a bouquet for you.
Gwen and Drew with baskets of fresh roses.
Cindy and Jim (aka Nama and Grandad) are Evin’s parents who lived on the ranch for the last 3 years. They helped us plant all of the first rose field and take care of so many more things around the land. Grandad is the head of all things firewood for our wood burning stoves and Nama kept us all fed (with maybe too many desserts). They’ve recently moved to Georgia but we know they will be back out to visit soon.
Nama and Grandad unloading roses to plant.
Vince (aka, Grandpa Vince, aka Gpv), is Chris’ Dad and he helps us with water lines, planting roses and logistics. GpV is always up for an adventure and his old truck is now our farmer’s market truck!
GpV and Nama planting roses. (note, both Grandpa and Grandad like orange t-shirts)
Devin is our first official Hermosa Ranch employee. He joined us just after graduating from college on the East Coast during the pandemic to help with school for the kids and assist on the ranch. Since joining he’s helped plant our entire first field, build out the solar system, teach the kids, and more. He’s definitely the most popular guy on the ranch bringing a smile wherever he goes.
Devin cutting Princess Charlene de Monacos at Hermosa Ranch
Victor is the newest member of the team who just joined fulltime after helping out over the last year. He brings a wealth of irrigation knowledge and local central coast information to the group. Combine all his skills with his “bring it on” approach and smile and he’s the one that keeps us all going.
Victor cutting Apricot Candy roses
We also have a few students from Cal-Poly that help us out on weekends and have had many neighbors and friends help us out. Hermosa Ranch and our beautiful roses are truly the result of many hands and hearts.
Huge props to our incredible friend and photographer, Alyssa Fioravanti, for capturing many of the featured photos above!