About Ellis Ranch

Our Story

Ellis Ranch owner, Steve Ellis, was born and raised in Lower Lake and has been proudly ranching here for more than 65 years on the family property that was established in the early 1900s. In 1998, Steve began his topsoil business with his son Kevin, and they have maintained an excellent reputation providing quality soils, products, and great customer service. The family’s roots run deep. In 2023, the Lake County Farm Bureau celebrated Lake County’s Centennial farming and ranching families, and the Reichert/Ellis family was proud to be recognized. Ellis Ranch also appreciates being voted Gold winner in the Best of Lake and Mendocino contest in 2024, and Silver winner in 2023.

We’re deeply rooted in Lake County growing and agriculture

Steve’s grandmother, Rose Kugelman, was born in Lower Lake in 1887. Rose married Walter Reichert, who in 1912 purchased 480 acres in Lower Lake. The Reichert Ranch was the first in Lake County to develop commercial walnut orchards, and Walter Reichert became the most successful walnut grower and dehydrator operator of his day. The current Ellis Ranch is what remains of Walter’s original property.

Left: Walter Reichert in 1912, Right: Walter Reichert in 1914.

Rose and Walter’s daughter, Patricia (Pat), married Lake County local, Donald (Don) Ellis, and Pat and Don continued operating and ranching her family’s walnut orchards. At that point, the ranch became known as the Ellis Ranch. Don and Pat’s son, Steve, learned very early on about ranching and operating the thriving family walnut business. After serving a year in Vietnam, Steve came home with a deeper appreciation for the ranch where he grew up.

Eventually, vineyards became the primary agriculture in Lake County, and in the late 1990s, Steve planted his own 14-acre commercial vineyard on a parcel that Walter sold in 1947.

Along with his vineyard, Steve still ranches what remains of the original Kugelman property. The walnut dehydrator continues its seasonal operation for the Ellis orchard and a few of Lake County’s walnut growers.

From the extensive ranching and agriculture knowledge Steve learned from his father and grandfather, plus his entire life of hands-on involvement and experience, Steve decided to expand the business into providing quality topsoils and growing materials. Together with his wife Carol of 50+ years, their son Kevin, and grandson Kyle, who is a fifth-generation Ellis in Lake County, the family business carries on. When Steve isn’t working, he enjoys tending his own fruit and vegetable garden and spending time with his family.