HERITAGE

D.A.Ranch is a historic Verde Valley ranch with a rich heritage dating back to 1876. When the first settlers arrived in the Verde Valley, a pioneer woman named Gertrude Gates established the D.A.Ranch. Referred to as the “Delta Alpha Ranch,” the property was homesteaded as a working ranch featuring Jersey cattle. 


Over 100 years later, the Petznick family arrived at D.A.Ranch. With their own legacy with the Arizona cattle industry and deep understanding of agriculture, the family restored and developed the ranch into what it is today. 

D.A.RANCH TODAY

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Three Adirondack chairs sit on a grassy bank beneath a tree, overlooking a lake.
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D.A.Ranch features well-farmed estate vineyards, high-quality Arizona wine experiences in an expansive indoor and outdoor tasting setting, and stunning outdoor spaces that serve as a premier venue for weddings and events. 

THE HISTORY

The Delta Alpha Ranch, now known as the D.A.Ranch, was first homesteaded as a cattle ranch in the late 1800’s by Andrew Downing, George Moore, and Randolph Willard.

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1876
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1910
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The 360-acre ranch was purchased by Gertrude Gates. Visitors referred to it as the Gates Ranch. She established the Delta Alpha (DA) cattle brand, ranching Jersey cattle. Gertrude built a proper home with an elegant library built from sandstone.  There were a few buildings on the property left behind by the original homesteaders.

Group of people on a porch, holding flags; identified: Mrs. Bates, Naquatsumi, Kent, Miss McClair, Eve, J.P. Girdner, William.

Gertrude Gates sold the ranch to Vesto Slipher, a recognized astronomer and director of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff from 1926 to 1952. By this time, the historic Red Barn was reportedly 100 years old.

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1941
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2001
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In 2001, the late Earl Petznick Sr., Pat Petznick, their children Earl Petznick Jr. and Olen Petznick, and their wives Melinda Petznick and Belle Petznick acquired the first parcel of D.A.Ranch as a family retreat. In the mid-20th century, the property had been sub-divided into multiple parcels. In 2003 and 2005, two B-Cross Ranch parcels were acquired. Lastly, in 2011, the Bryson family’s parcel was purchased, unifying the entire D.A.Ranch property.

Vast landscape with trees and a distant hill under a clear blue sky.

The Petznick family was deciding on a “landscape feature” for the ranch. Earl Petznick met neighbor Eric Glomski, who fortuitously advised the family to select grapevines. Inspired by family travels to Italy and by Eric’s guidance, Syrah grapevines were planted and the family’s Arizona wine journey began. The 100% estate-grown Syrah is now the fan-favorite D.A.Ranch Reserve wine known as “Gertrude.”

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2005
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2009
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During the original vintage years, Glomski’s Page Springs Cellars crushed the grapes and produced the bottled wine for the family wine label, “Stage Stop Vineyards,” named after the historic stagecoach stop. Melinda Petznick, the brand storyteller, saw the potential of the family wine business. She led efforts to modernize the D.A.Ranch brand and designed the Ranch and Reserve wine labels. Each label alludes to a favorite story about D.A.Ranch.

In 2015, a harmonious opportunity arose for Petznick family to invest in its own winemaking space. Enter Chateau Tumbleweed, the dream of winemaker Joe Bechard, Kris Pothier, Kim Koistinen and Jeff Hendricks. It was Clarkdale’s first commercial winery and tasting room. Since then, D.A.Ranch has relied exclusively on the Tumbleweed team to produce and bottle its 100% estate-grown wines. Today, rotating Chateau Tumbleweed wines are available in the tasting room at D.A.Ranch.

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2015
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Now

Over the years, more acres of vineyards were planted. Today, vineyard manager Elliot Stephens meticulously farms Syrah, Petite Sirah, Seyval Blanc, Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, and Malvasia Bianca. In 2023, Vermentino and Greco di Tufo were newly planted.

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“Wine is the answer. I just don’t remember the question.”

-Unknown

Three wooden coasters with a circular logo sit on a wooden table.