Plaisance – A Working Ranch in Southern Oregon

Joe Ginet

One of the most unique visits during our excursion in Southern Oregon was to Plaisance Ranch, founded in 1898 by Joseph Jean Ginet, who immigrated to America from Savoie, France.  His family grew grapes in France and Joseph went in search of land that he could farm. Near Jacksonville, Oregon, he found an abandoned orchard and was able to salvage the trees, planning to bring grape vine cuttings from his native France.  Joseph was engaged to a woman from his village in France, but her parents would not permit her to move to America.  Failing to find a wife in his new home in Oregon, he located a “mail order bride” of French-Canadian descent, Corinne, who arrived with her mother.

The couple had four daughters, but their story took a tragic turn with Joseph’s death from a heart attack two months before the birth of their only son. The son, also named Joseph, married and fathered three children, but died in early adulthood of cancer.  Today, the third generation of the Ginet family has finally realized the dream of a successful, working ranch and winery.

The current owners, Joe and Suzi, have built a robust business that includes an organic beef ranch, vineyards that produce 24 different grape varieties, and sales of grape vine cuttings.

The Beef Ranch

The Ginets farm and process organic beef.   They average about 55 head of cattle per year, all organically grown.  The cattle are completely grass fed and, of course, no antibiotics are given in keeping with organic standards. Joe points out that if a cow gets sick, they will administer antibiotics, but that animal then receives a special tag showing that it is not part of the organic herd.

The Vineyards and Wines

Plaisance Ranch is located in the Applegate Valley AVA and specializes in French grape varieties, grown from rootstock imported from France.  They have also begun growing an assortment of Spanish varieties.  Overall production is about 2,000 cases per year.  The vineyards are farmed Biodynamically and have been certified by both LIVE and Salmon Safe. These high levels of certification are awarded to sustainable wine grape growers and farmers in the Pacific Northwest.  The day we visited, our tasting took place on the back patio overlooking the cattle ranch.  We were treated to 12 of the 24 wines, grouped by region – Burgundy, Rhone, and Spain.  Instead of straight forward descriptions of the wines, the Plaisance list incorporates short poems or stories that describe each wine.  As we worked our way through the tasting, one of us volunteered to read each poem aloud to the group. It was great fun.

I particularly liked the 2019 Chardonnay whose description reads, “It might feel like there’s a genie in this bottle, tickling your tongue with zesty vivacity. But this wine isn’t the result of magic so much as trial and error, minimal oak, plenty of patience, and many trips to Burgundy. The result itself? That is magic. In fact, if a genie ever grants us three wishes, one would be a lifetime supply of this Chardonnay.”  An homage to his grandfather is the red blend Le Soldat “The Soldier.”  This blend of tempranillo and grenache carries a label that reads, “In 1890, soldier Joseph Jean Ginet received his discharge papers from the French army. He traveled to Southern Oregon where he bought 500 acres and planted a vineyard. Generations later, Joe Ginet created this deep red wine in his grandfather’s honor—a blend made of Tempranillo, Grenache, and family. You might just raise your glass and say merci beaucoup to the man who long ago traded barracks for wine barrels.”

Plaisance Ranch wines are an excellent value, priced in the $20 to $35 range, and they ship to 38 of the 50 states as permitted by law.

The Grapevine Nursery

Green Rootstock

Plaisance Ranch also sells Oregon Certified grape vines.  Joe consults with buyers to understand their soil types, climate, and the grape varieties they are interested in growing.  Buds from the desired grape varieties are grafted onto rootstock that is best suited to the customer’s environment.  These custom vines are then produced in the quantities desired and shipped.  There are seventeen certified varieties and seven non-certified available for purchase.

The French word “plaisance” translates as pleasure, merriment, kindness, delight or “with great pleasure.”  It was indeed with great pleasure that we enjoyed this educational and tasty visit to Plaisance Ranch.  Should your travels take you to Southern Oregon and Rogue Valley Wine Country, be sure to visit Joe and Suzi.

Cheers!