Marin History Lecture Series: Rancho San Jose, Original Marin Land Grant & Pacheo Winery Today

Featured Speaker: Herb Rowland

 Ignacio Pacheco, was one of California’s earliest pioneers, settled in what is now Marin County in 1840. He is believed to have been the first to plant grape vines in the region and his influence can still be seen in the names of places throughout the area. Ignacio received a Land Grant for his services to the Mexican Government as the head of the customs house in Monterey, California. He was originally given the Agua Caliente Rancho grant in Sonoma, which he deemed “unsuitable for agriculture” and later exchanged it for the Rancho San Jose grant which consisted of 6,680 acres in what is now Marin County. Today, Pacheco Ranch is comprised of roughly 70 acres of the original Rancho San Jose Land Grant. The vineyards on the property were planted by Ignacio’s decedents and winery partners in 1970.

 Herb Rowland is Ignacio Pacheco’s great-great-grandson, the manager of the Pacheco Winery, and a partner at Ragghianti & Freitas law firm.