The Sustainable Symphony of Rock Front Ranch
Nestled at the entrance of the Cuyama Valley, a mere 27 miles from our High Desert Haven, lies the Rock Front Ranch, a breathtaking 320-acre treasure. This ranch proudly showcases an enduring rock cliff face, a longstanding feature that existed well before Alisha Taff's purchase of the ranch in 2003. This natural landmark holds a special place in our hearts as a symbol of bountiful produce for Cuyama Buckhorn.
CATTLE TO JUJUBES
As Vice President of the local California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) chapter, Alisha's connection with the Cuyama Valley began during her college days, igniting a lifelong dream of embracing its tranquil landscapes. Rock Front Ranch initially grappled with the challenges of cattle farming, particularly the uncertainty stemming from unpredictable rainfall patterns. In response to the evolving dynamics of the land, Alisha and her family embarked on a quest for a crop that would not only withstand the environmental challenges but also contribute to the balance of the Cuyama Valley.
THE JEWEL OF CUYAMA VALLEY
The shift from cattle to jujubes represented a commitment to sustainable farming, aiming to work in harmony with the land and conserve resources. This approach guided their exploration of crops that could thrive in Cuyama's distinct environment, leading them to the resilient jujube trees with exceptional drought tolerance. Alisha’s 23 acres of jujube trees not only survive but flourish in Cuyama's high desert landscape, embodying the resilience and adaptability essential in sustainable farming. Reflecting on this transition, Alisha remarked, “Fate led us to jujubes! We believed in working with the land, and we're glad we did.”
HEALTH BENEFITS
Jujubes are Mother Nature's multi-vitamin. They contain many micro-minerals, vitamins, essential amino acids, and polyphenolic compounds. Beyond the pleasure they bring to your taste buds, jujubes harbor an impressive array of health benefits. These ancient fruits have been celebrated for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine and in other cultural healing methods for their extensive health benefits. One of the standout features of jujubes is their ability to maintain their nutritional value even in their dried form. As they gently ripen on the tree and are dried naturally, they become a concentrated source of goodness, making them a convenient and nutritious addition to your daily diet and a staple in the Buckhorn’s restaurant, bar, shop, and even our room offerings. These fruits not only support immune health but also serve as a culinary m
use, inspiring a myriad of delectable creations. In the Cuyama Buckhorn kitchen, we've incorporated jujubes into syrups that flavor our bar offerings, and our talented baker crafts mouthwatering jujube cakes for special occasions.
ROCK FRONT RANCH HONEY
Beyond the orchards of jujubes, Rock Front Ranch's offerings extend to the realm of organic honey. Their honey is a testament to purity, quality, and conscious beekeeping practices. The honey undergoes rigorous third-party Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) testing, ensuring it is free of glyphosate contamination. The ranch believes in keeping the honey as close to its natural state as possible. It is warmed just enough to maintain the hive's temperature, and instead of filtering, the honey is screened.
This preserves the active pollens, enzymes, and healthful polyphenolic compounds, ensuring every spoonful is a gift to the body. Moreover, the pure, raw honeys are like fine wine—they don't deteriorate with age. This dedication to purity ensures that every drop of honey from Rock Front Ranch is a testament to the untouched and uncontaminated beauty of the Cuyama Valley.
THE SEASONAL BOUNTY OF ROCK FRONT RANCH
Rock Front Ranch offers an impressive seasonal variety that epitomizes nature's bounty across the year. Spring brings the presence of apricots and the delightful continuation of plums into early summer. The vibrant burst of goji berries, luscious apples, and the unique flavor of cactus fruit mark the onset of autumn in September, alongside the varied availability of nopales. As the air crisps in fall, heirloom pears and jujubes shine through September and October, followed by the richness of pomegranates in November. Late fall and early winter spotlight quince, while December adds the flavorful feijoas to the mix. These exquisite seasonal offerings and the ranch's varietal honey are available at various locations, including SLO Natural Food Co-Op, Farm Supply Company, Lassens, California Fresh Markets, El Rancho Market, Halcyon Farms, Paso Robles Health Food, Talley Farms, JJs Market, SLO Veg, Albertsons, Avocado Shack, Jack Creek Farms, Los Alamos Market, Valley Fresh Market, and Westridge Markets, showcasing Rock Front Ranch's commitment to providing certified organic products accredited by CCOF and sourced sustainably.
CELEBRATE WINTER'S HARVEST AT THE BUCKHORN
From their nutritious jujubes to the pure, organic honey, each product from Rock Front Ranch tells a story of unblemished, exceptional, and conscientious farming practices. Join us as we celebrate winter’s bounty through our Rock Front Ranch-inspired winter bar offerings, showcasing seasonal cocktails such as Heirloom Pear, Cactus Fruit, Pomegranate, and the aptly named Jujube, all available in our historic Buckhorn bar.