Beef rancher, environmentalist asks $35 million for sprawling Knights Valley estate
A conservation-minded cattle rancher is seeking a new steward for Ghost Donkey Ranch, a 227-acre spread in Knights Valley listed at $35 million. Set between Calistoga and Healdsburg, the property blends modern comforts with working-ranch authenticity—an appealing mix as more Silicon Valley buyers hunt for private Wine Country retreats with room to roam.
Ghost Donkey Ranch at a glance
Known for its rolling hills dotted with cattle and the occasional pair of donkeys, the ranch offers sweeping vistas and a sense of seclusion without feeling cut off. The listing highlights a contemporary main residence tailored to a car enthusiast alongside the daily rhythms of ranch life, which currently includes roughly 80 head of cattle and two resident donkeys.
- 227 acres in Knights Valley, between Calistoga and Healdsburg
- Approximately 4,000-square-foot main home with three bedrooms and three bathrooms
- Four-car garage plus a separate 10-car showcase garage
- Two guesthouses, each with one bedroom and one bathroom
- Working ranch infrastructure and improved internal roads
- Offered at $35 million
Land stewardship and wagyu program
Owner Adam Gordon acquired the ranch in 2011 when much of the land was overgrazed and lightly developed. He invested in restoration, adding infrastructure and the modern main house while focusing on regenerative land practices. His herd produces wagyu beef under the Knights Valley Wagyu label, supplied primarily to chefs at top local restaurants. The guiding idea, he said, is to care for the land, the animals, and the community by keeping operations small, local, and thoughtful.
Gordon avoids pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and similar chemical inputs on pastures, emphasizing low-impact grazing. The property’s namesake donkeys—rescues Suji and Jinx—continue a local tradition of donkeys roaming neighboring ranches. If a buyer wishes, the pair may remain as part of the transfer.
Privacy, access, and a shifting buyer pool
The estate sits in a rare “sweet spot,” with a remote feel yet convenient access to Wine Country towns and Bay Area corridors. Since the late-May debut, interest has reportedly come from younger entrepreneurs who want meaningful acreage within reasonable driving distance to the South Bay. Many of these prospective buyers value privacy, open land, and a lower carbon footprint, and they are drawn to properties where conservation and lifestyle align.
Design for collectors and entertainers
The main residence was designed with car aficionados in mind. Beyond the four-car garage, the separate 10-car show garage allows for display, storage, and entertaining around a collection. Two guesthouses provide additional accommodations for friends, family, or staff, while the ranch’s roads and utility improvements support both daily living and agricultural operations.
Culinary connections and local roots
Ghost Donkey Ranch has woven itself into the region’s food culture through relationships with acclaimed restaurants. Gordon’s approach has been to sell locally and selectively, reinforcing the ranch’s ties to nearby chefs and diners and grounding the operation in the area’s culinary identity.
Owner’s environmental pursuits and next chapter
Beyond ranching, Gordon has been active in environmental initiatives, including serving on the board of a leading oceanography institution and cofounding ventures that partner with electric-vehicle fast-charging companies. Looking ahead, he hopes to design and build a similar, sustainability-forward ranch elsewhere in Knights Valley or between Healdsburg and Sebastopol—and plans to carry the Knights Valley Wagyu program to the next site.
As the North Bay continues to attract tech-world buyers seeking nature, privacy, and proximity, Ghost Donkey Ranch presents a ready-made canvas: a restored landscape, a modern home with serious garage space, and a proven small-batch wagyu operation—set against one of Wine Country’s most scenic backdrops.
