Farm Beat: Tuolumne County to hold annual Farm & Ranch Tour

A few farmers and ranchers in Tuolumne County will throw open their gates next Saturday, offering a look at alpacas, grapevines, horse-drawn wagons and other attractions.

The ninth annual Farm & Ranch Tour features five places where folks have carved niches amid the rangeland and timber that make up most of the county.

The tour is sponsored by Farms of Tuolumne County to raise money for high school agricultural programs. Participants can buy tickets in advance or on that day and drive to the stops in any order. They can purchase farm products and enjoy food and wine samples, music, children’s activities and more.

The stops:

Nature’s Whole Food Depot: It sells vitamins, essential oils, herbs, produce and other goods out of a store in Standard. Tour day will feature a beekeeping display, flower potting for children and other activities.

Ponsanorosa Vineyard: This spot off Tuolumne Road east of Sonora produces cabernet sauvignon, merlot, malbec and petit verdot grapes. Visitors can taste wine from Gianelli Vineyards, also in Tuolumne County, and hear bluegrass music.

Four Seasons Native Plant Nursery: This site near the town of Tuolumne grows native and non-native nursery plants and also supplies produce and herbs to Seven Sisters Restaurant at nearby Black Oak Casino. The nursery is owned by the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians, which will have displays on its culture.

EvenTyrGaard Suri Alpacas: This farm southwest of Tuolumne raises animals that originated in the Andes. It will demonstrate shearing for visitors, as well as weaving and spinning of the fleece.

Mother Lode Ranch: This place, also southwest of Tuolumne, has cattle and horses, and also provides carriages and wagons for various occasions. Visitors can ride a horse-drawn rig and see Indian grinding rocks and an old stage stop.

This story was originally published June 3, 2016 at 3:50 PM with the headline "Farm Beat: Tuolumne County to hold annual Farm & Ranch Tour."