Napa County communal ranch sold for nearly $16 million

A 950-acre ranch with three lakes in Napa County that was purchased in 1978 for $850,000 by eight young men and used communally was sold for $15.7 million in cash.

NAPA — A 950-acre ranch with three lakes in Napa County that was purchased in 1978 for $850,000 by eight young men and used communally was sold for $15.7 million in cash.

Green Valley Ranch was sold Monday to a single unidentified buyer, according to listing agent Ginger Martin of Sotheby’s International Realty, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Over the years, two of the eight original owners dropped out, others got married and new ones joined. In the end it was owned, within a limited liability company, by 14 couples and two individuals, all gay men, said Bob Dickinson, a Hollywood lighting designer who was one of eight original owners.

“In 1978, it was the post-hippie vision of the world, where community living seemed really desirable. And we were young,” Dickinson said.

The ranch came with two historic home s that the owners used communally and five homes built by the partners. The property, which also had a 10-acre vineyard and cattle grazing rights that generated income, also has river otters and oak trees that are centuries old.

It was originally listed in October 2019 for $25.5 million and eventually reduced to $18.9 million before the buyer submitted an offer on Nov. 30, Martin said.

The property, which is partially in Solano County, was purchased in the name of a limited liability company, Martin said.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the ranch owners weren’t able to throw a goodbye party, but maybe at some point they can, said Tom Ruge, one of the few owners who lived at the ranch full time.

“This is just a big chunk of my life, I was here for 42 years. Seeing that I’m almost 67 years old and looking to simplify my life, it was time to move on,” Ruge said.