Celebrating Father's Day
Generational Wisdom and Family Legacy
By Will Bonner
You’ve followed our journey through the Lockdown Diaries, read Elizabeth’s essays, and heard Tom’s updates from the ranch. You may even remember Mariah’s beautiful rendition of “O Holy Night.” Today, on Father’s Day, I want to share some lessons learned from our experiences on our 100,000-acre ranch in Northwestern Argentina.
Father’s Day is a time to honor the wisdom and guidance of our fathers. As Bill Bonner’s eldest son, I often reflect on the unconventional choices my father has made, especially buying this sprawling ranch. His reasons might seem puzzling – the distance, floods, impassable roads, cultural and language barriers, and property disputes. Yet, through these challenges, Dad has imparted invaluable lessons that have left an indelible mark on our family.
Recently, my sister Mariah and her husband Adrien moved to the ranch to oversee its operations and production. They are the family's eyes and ears on the ground.
They often tell us how they are stunned by the beauty of the landscapes surrounding them in the Calchaqui Valley.
The Beauty and Value Beyond Measure
Dad writes a lot about the natural beauty of the ranch.
It’s a landscape painted with stone walls, hidden valleys, and ancient Indian ruins – elements crafted by raw nature and generations past.
The allure of this remote paradise goes beyond its aesthetics; it’s about the rich history and the intricate tapestry of human endeavor that makes it unique. In comparison, properties in New Mexico or Arizona lack this depth of character and are significantly more expensive…
The true value of the ranch isn’t just in its market price or its picturesque scenery. It’s in the life lessons and experiences it offers. From learning Spanish to understanding the complexities of ranching and winemaking, we have grown in ways we never anticipated.
Embracing Challenges and Building Resilience
Life on the ranch has been far from easy. We’ve faced the harsh realities of remote management, which is now changing since Mariah and Adrien are keeping a close eye on things.
We’ve also dealt with the unpredictability of Argentina, and the unpredictability of farming in a high altitude desert.
Yet, these challenges have been our greatest teachers. They’ve taught us resilience, patience, and the importance of long-term thinking.
Attributes that we’ve come to find are critical to success in the wine business.
Like Warren Buffett’s approach to farming investments, Dad has always emphasized the value of steady, long-term returns over quick, high-yield gains.
This philosophy extends beyond financial investments to encompass personal growth and family bonds. Our experiences on the ranch have toughened us up – both physically and mentally – preparing us for life’s inevitable hurdles.
About a year after Dad bought the ranch I moved my own family to Argentina, which was not an easy move at the time. My eldest son was born at a hospital in Buenos Aires. The language, culture, and business climate were all major challenges… nevermind the issues we faced on the ranch itself…
Back then, I launched our Spanish-language publishing division which is still operating successfully today.
I didn’t see the ranch as a business opportunity, but now the wine from the ranch IS my primary business…
All this would’ve never happened if Dad hadn’t made the decisions and taken the leap that he did…
Generational Wisdom and Family Legacy
Dad’s vision for the ranch extends beyond his own lifetime. He often speaks about the importance of building a family legacy, akin to the Beretta family in the arms business or the Coppolas in Hollywood. The knowledge, expertise, and connections we develop are meant to be passed down through generations, creating a foundation for future success.
This long-term perspective fosters a deep sentimental attachment to our work on the ranch.
It’s not just about financial returns; it’s about cultivating a source of wealth that binds our family together and instills a sense of purpose. Successful families need to be producers, not just consumers. They need to be active in businesses and careers, not just investments. Engaging in projects that span several generations allows knowledge, expertise, and connections to accumulate.
The Unexpected Journey to Winemaking
We stumbled into winemaking when Dad bought the ranch almost twenty years ago.
As a matter of fact, he didn’t even know about the vineyard when he bought the ranch. It was a hobby vineyard mentioned in passing by the previous owner.
When we explored the ranch as a family and visited the vineyard we were blown away by the tiny green oasis an hour horseback ride from the main house.
It seemed like a miracle that such a place existed.
I remember it vividly when we came over the hill and saw the few acres of vines there in the middle of nowhere with wild parrots flying around and the sound of the rushing water of a stream that fed the small patch of greenery coming from glaciers in the upper Andes.
We camped there in the vineyard that night contemplating the most starlit sky we’d ever seen.
We wanted to “do something” with that little vineyard. It started as a fun project to have some wine for family events and gifts. Then, people actually started liking it, and it took off from there.
Out of all the things Dad tried at the ranch, winemaking really stands out.
He was encouraged by our neighbor Donald Hess, a legendary wine entrepreneur and expert in high elevation viticulture.
Hess told us how back in the 70’s he had purchased cheap high elevation land in Napa Valley, at Mt Veeder, which wasn’t considered good for grape growing at the time.
He knew that elevation would bring out special properties from the grapes to make great wine. That’s why he purchased the neighboring wine estate, Colome, one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries in Argentina.
Sadly, Hess passed away last year. But his son-in-law has taken over the winery to continue his legacy.
Hess had told us that our vineyard was quite rare and special. And he was right.
Our Tacana Malbec is so inky red it almost looks black. It smells of blackberry, leather, and smoke. When you sip it, you get a zing of cherry and cloves.
You’ve never had wine like this before. Even among extreme altitude malbecs, it’s unlike any other.
What began as a little side project to lift our spirits has turned into something quite rewarding. Our high-altitude Malbec has become a symbol of our journey – a testament to our perseverance and adaptability… and dumb luck.
As we continue to navigate the challenges and triumphs of ranch life, we invite you to join us in celebrating the fruits of our labor. Our high-altitude Malbec wine, crafted with care and dedication, is now available for you to enjoy. Each bottle carries a piece of our story – the lessons learned, the resilience built, and the wisdom gained.
Order a few bottles of our malbec today and savor the unique flavors of our Argentinian ranch. Let our wine be a part of your moments of reflection and celebration, just as it has been for us through the highs and lows of our journey.
Wishing you a Happy Father’s Day, with all it means and the lessons it teaches, as a father and as a son.
With gratitude and warm regards,
Will Bonner
P.S. Order your bottles of high-altitude Malbec today and experience the legacy of the Bonner family ranch.
P.P.S. Unfortunately, our wines can’t be shipped outside the United States at the moment. Apologies!