The Herold Ranch is one of the larger remaining agricultural holdings in the Salinas Valley, consisting of 560.6± acres that extend approximately 1.9± miles from Gonzales’ city limits boundary toward the Salinas River. The property features a combination of highly productive farmland that is located within the county of Monterey, industrial-zoned land that is within the city limits boundary of Gonzales, and an established farm labor housing camp within the industrial acreage. These three features combine to provide an incredible opportunity.
Agricultural Land
The agricultural portion of the Herold Ranch is 539± acres of highly productive farmland that is centrally located in the Salinas Valley, adjacent to the city of Gonzales. Situated on the valley floor, this level farmland benefits from a mild coastal climate, deep and fertile clay loam soils on an upper bench, lighter loamy soils on a lower bench, and good quality groundwater wells—all of which provide tremendous crop versatility for growing a wide variety of spring, summer and fall fresh vegetable crops. Iceberg lettuce, leaf lettuces, asparagus, celery, broccoli, and cauliflower are just a few of the crops grown on the Herold Ranch.
Irrigation water is provided by 5 agricultural wells and distributed through underground high-pressure lines. Recent pump tests and water quality reports were completed and information is available by the attachment below.
The entire Herold Ranch is currently leased to a local grower with the lease expiring on October 31, 2020.
The agricultural portion of the Herold Ranch is zoned Farmlands (F/40) and is subject to a 20-year Farmland Security Zone Contract (Super Williamson), which limits the assessed valuation to 65% of the lesser of the property’s Proposition 13 valuation or Williamson valuation, thus providing a significant property tax savings upon a sale. This part of the Herold Ranch is also subject to a 1994 Agricultural Conservation Easement, which is intended to preserve the prime agricultural use.
Acres: 539 ± acres
APN: 223-061-023
Industrial Land
The Herold Ranch includes an additional 21.6± acres that are within the city limits of Gonzales and zoned Industrial. Of this acreage, 1.7± acres are improved and utilized as a farm labor housing camp, and the remaining 19.9± acres are farmed with the remainder of the ranch. A new road serving the industrial acreage is planned, which will connect Alta Street to Gonzales’ neighboring industrial park.
This acreage is excluded from the Agricultural Conservation Easement and Farmland Security Zone Contract, providing an ideal opportunity for a future industrial subdivision or a single, large-scale agricultural processing facility.
A lot-line adjustment application has been submitted to the city of Gonzales, which upon approval, will legally separate the industrial acreage from the farmland portion of the Herold Ranch.
Acres: 21.6± acres
APN’s: 223-061-005 and 020-011-001
Farmworker Housing
The farmworker housing portion of the Herold Ranch occupies about 1.7 acres of the industrial acreage. City water and sewer serve this facility, which is improved with eight separate structures. These structures provide a total of 24 bedrooms, a commercial kitchen, large dining area, restrooms, laundry and a separate single-family dwelling. The single-family dwelling is occupied by the labor camp operator.
The labor camp is leased with the farmland through October 2020. With an acute shortage of farmworker housing, this facility can provide much needed farmworker housing to an agricultural company, or an additional source of rental income to a passive investor.
APN: Portion of 020-011-001
Acreage Summary
Farmland
539.0±
Industrial
21.6±
Total
560.6±
Price
$37,700,000
Offer Notice
Sellers will not review or respond to any offer prior to October 24, 2019. Piini Realty will present offers to the sellers commencing on October 25th and will continue to present offers until a Purchase Agreement is executed. Sellers are also requesting a minimum of 5 days to respond to any offer.
Contact Us
John Piini
Phone: 831-422-5327 x103
Cell Phone: 831-809-2258
Email: john@piinirealty.com
DRE #: 00542239
Joe Piini
Phone: 831-422-5327 x105
Cell Phone: 831-229-6913
Email: joe@piinirealty.com
DRE #: 01889295
Herold Ranch History
The Herold Ranch is the last remaining holding of the Rancho Rincon de la Puente del Monte, which Governor Nicolas Gutierrez granted in 1836 to Teodoro Gonzalez, the former “alcalde” (mayor) of Monterey. This 15,219-acre Mexican land grant extended from the north bank of the Salinas River to the base of the Gabilan Mountain Range, encompassing present day Gonzales. The town of Gonzales was founded in 1874 by Teodoro Gonzalez’s two sons, Alfredo and Mariano.
The current owners of the Herold Ranch are the heirs of Mariano Gonzalez and his second wife Edie Westphal Herold. The current offering of the Herold Ranch represents the heirs of Teodoro Gonzalez’s final holding of Rancho Rincon de la Puente del Monte.
Rancho Rincon de la Puente del Monte, with the Gabilan Ranch in the background and Herold Ranch in the foreground.
Ranch Gallery
Disclaimer: All material and information contained in this web site and/or received from Piini Realty, Inc. including any external links or third-party sources are provided without representation or warranty. Such material is obtained from sources deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. All maps and property line boundaries shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be relied upon as actual. Each party shall conduct their own independent investigation and due diligence to verify the accuracy of the information and determine the suitability and feasibility of any party’s intended use of the property.