Shell Creek 6 Items

Since 1875 the Sinton (once Sinsheimer) family has been ranching the rolling, oak filled hills and cultivating the valleys of San Luis Obispo County. In 1972, nearly 75 years after acquiring the 5000+ acre Canyon Ranch, we planted our first grape vines and formally started Shell Creek Vineyards. The name of the vineyard comes from a seasonal creek that runs through the property, carrying small pieces of fossilized shells that are found farther upstream on the ranch. Jim started the vineyard with his nephew, Tom Sinton, in order to diversify from the cattle ranch

James and Norma Sinton built their home on the Canyon Ranch in 1940 and were joined by their son, Steve and his wife Jane in 1978. Jane has actively overseen the vineyard for over 30 years. Steve's sisters, Patricia and Gail and their husbands, Hayes and Don (respectively), are also actively involved in the family business. Steve and Jane’s son, Daniel, and his wife, Megan, plan to move to the ranch in 2012 to carry on the family tradtion, while their daughter, Julie and her husband, Brian Pruniski, help with marketing and financial advise from their home in Redwood City.