Wine grape culture has played a vital role in our valley’s economic and social existence almost from the time the first Spaniards viewed the foothills of the majestic San Gabriel Mountains.

Paul Hofer III extends that legacy at his family’s beautiful Hofer Ranch - a National Historic Register property surrounded by lush trees, vegetation and gardens. Avisit discovers a restored ranch house, barns and Quonset huts, all secluded from the neighboring Ontario Airport jetway and concrete industrial buildings.

Founded in 1882 by Sanford Ballou and his son Benton, Hofer Ranch encompassed 960 acres at its peak, including apricot and peach orchards, raisins and premium wine grapes including reds; Grenache, Mission and Zinfandel, and whites; Chardonnay, Pedro Ximénez, and Rose of Peru.

Paul Ballou Hofer helped create the Cucamonga Pioneer Vineyard Association in 1934 as the valley’s first wine-producing and marketing cooperative controlled by local growers.

Hofer’s sons, Paul, Jr. and Phillip continued their father’s leadership, and today, Paul III farms a portion of the original ranch, proudly maintaining a remnant of a prominent viticultural heritage. Recent plantings on the 40-acre site include Zinfandel. Hofer Ranch is also home to one of the area’s last Grenache vineyards.

For more than a century, the Hofers have made important contributions to life in the region.

“Paul and his family are synonymous with integrity.

I greatly appreciate their ongoing preservation efforts at the ranch,” said Galleano, a lifelong friend and grape growing partner of Hofer and whose families have known each other for some 90 years. “Society must have a sense of history or we lose value.”

Ronald Labrucherie, local dairyman and farmer holds deep admiration for Paul III and his family.

“The Hofers are great farmers and have taught by example. From assisting with water delivery systems and soil conservation practices, it was always community first and they loved their neighbors. Many have benefited from their efforts,” Labrucherie said.

“One cannot walk onto the Hofer Ranch without experiencing a sense of peace and tranquility. When I go there, I get a feeling of what life was like when I was a kid, and a feeling of how I think life should be.”

Gino L. Filippi is a fourth-generation Cucamonga vintner. Send wine questions or comments to ginoffvine@aol.com.