Santa Catalina Island Vineyard

Information about the Santa Catalina Island Vineyard on the El Rancho Escondido property in the interior of Catalina Island in Southern California.

NAME: Santa Catalina Island Vineyard
ATTRACTION TYPE: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel Vineyard
ALSO KNOWN AS: Rusack Vineyards' Catalina Island Vineyard
ESTABLISHED: 2007
VICINITY: Interior of Catalina Island
LOCATION: Catalina Island, Southern California

Vineyard in the interior of Catalina Island that was established in 2007 by Wrigley fortune heir Alison Wrigley Rusack and her husband Geoffrey (Geoff) Claflin Rusack. The Rusack's purchased the former Ballard Canyon Winery in the Santa Barbara area in 1995 and they gave it a new name: Rusack Vineyards. They later planted grapes on their 650 acre Catalina ranch, including 5 acres of Chardonnay and Pino Noir grapes and a half acre of Zindelfel grapes.

Future plans include developing a tasting room with spectacular views at El Rancho Escondido and restoring the old stables with updated plumbing and electricity hidden behind historic building walls.

Resources

Catalina island Vineyards Dot Com
Official Web site of the Santa Catalina Island Vineyards owned and operated by Rusak Vineyards. Main sections of their site include Our Story, Island Experience, Isla Wine Circle, Island Wines, Media, and Connect.

Articles About the Catalina Island Vineyard:
- Rusac Dot Com "Santa Catalina Island Vineyard" Article
- 2018 SYV News "Wine Pioneers of Catalina island" Article
- 2014 Wine Spectator "A Vineyard Blooms on Catalina" Blog Post
- 2014 SB Independent "California's Island Winery Reborn" Article
- 2012 NY Times "An Island Vineyard the Hard Way" Article (PDF)
- 2011 Island Terroir "Wines Emerge From Catalina Island" Press Release (PDF)
- 2011 SB News Press "Island in a Bottle" Article (PDF)
- 2011 SB News Press "Island Vintage" Article (PDF)
- 2010 LA Times "Toasting a New Venture on Catalina" Article (PDF)

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More About Attractions on Catalina

Catalina Island Travel Guide

California for Visitors

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