From farm-fresh meats and free-range eggs to homemade seasonings and spices, "Meats & More" celebrates the honest flavors of the Santa Ynez Valley. Whether you’re a neighbor or just passing through, you’ll find a warm welcome — and something delicious to take home.
History of Cattle Ranching in the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Barbara County
Cattle ranching has deep roots in Santa Barbara County — especially in the Santa Ynez Valley — going all the way back to the Spanish colonial era in the late 1700s. When the Spanish missions were established (like Mission Santa Inés in Solvang, founded in 1804), the Franciscans brought cattle, horses, and sheep to the region. Ranching quickly became a way of life, with large herds grazing the rolling hills and open lands that we still admire today.
After Mexico gained independence from Spain, the mission lands were gradually secularized, and massive land grants known as ranchos were awarded to prominent Californio families. These ranchos — including famous ones like Rancho San Carlos de Jonata in the Santa Ynez Valley — turned cattle ranching into a booming business, especially for hide and tallow trade with ships coming up the California coast.
When California became part of the United States in 1850, new settlers continued the ranching tradition. American, Danish, and other immigrant families established their own cattle operations, blending Old West cowboy culture with the valley’s Mediterranean landscape. Over time, some ranches expanded into sheep herding, horse breeding, and farming — but cattle remained at the heart of it all.
Today, the Santa Ynez Valley still honors its ranching legacy. Many ranches have been lovingly preserved by families for generations, contributing not just to the local economy but to the character and open beauty of the land. You’ll find ranch-to-table beef, heritage meats, and a strong connection to the land that’s proudly passed down — and proudly shared — with visitors and locals alike.
Out here, good food doesn’t come from factories — it comes from hardworking hands, open pastures, and a deep respect for the land. The Santa Ynez Valley has been raising cattle, gathering eggs, and seasoning suppers long before there were highways and crowds. So slow down, tip your hat to tradition, and wander with us through the valley’s small towns, where every cut, crate, and jar has a story worth tasting.
Buellton, CA — First Generation Farmers
Tucked into the rolling hills of the Santa Rita wine country, Motley Crew Ranch is a small but mighty farm where passion, hard work, and a love for good food come together. Cassidy and Marko Alexandrou are first-generation farmers raising over eight different species of animals — from cattle and pigs to quail and dairy goats — all with a focus on regenerative farming, humane care, and sustainability.
At Motley Crew, animals live the way nature intended: hormone-free, antibiotic-free, and fed a GMO-free, corn-free, and soy-free diet. Their belief is simple — a happy, well-cared-for animal produces a better, healthier product. From farm to fork, their commitment shines through.
Motley Crew Marketplace, located at 225 McMurray Road in Buellton, brings the best of their farm directly to the community. Here, you’ll find artisan sausages, handcrafted meats, farm-fresh eggs, and a curated selection of local goods — from coastal seafood and handcrafted cheeses to fresh veggies and small-batch seasonings from neighboring farms. Watch for their Hot Food Saturdays and pop-up Greek gyro events that showcase their deep culinary roots and creative spirit!
More than farmers, Cassidy and Marko are stewards of a better food system — and they’re building it with care, science, tradition, and a little bit of Meraki (a Greek word meaning to pour your heart and soul into everything you do). Whether you're a local or just passing through, Motley Crew Ranch invites you to taste a better way of raising animals — and a better way of eating.
Find Motley Crew Ranch meats at:
🍴 Ballard Inn
🍴 Bell’s
🍴 Coast Range
🍴 Eye on I
🍴 Full of Life Flatbread
🍴 Industrial Eats
🍴 Peasants Feast
Visit: https://www.motleycrewranch.com/
Order: Motley Crew CSA Boxes or Ranch Shares
Learn More: Support a better local food system at SBCFoodAction.com
Gaviota, CA — Heritage Pork & Farm-Raised Goat
At Pork Palace, farming is a family tradition rooted in care, sustainability, and quality. Nestled on 40 acres near Gaviota, this family farm raises heritage breed pigs — including Berkshire, Tamworth, and Duroc Cross — from farrow to finish.
Their pigs live the good life in large outdoor pens, enjoying a diet of spent brewers grain, seasonal vegetables, and fresh air under the California sun.
But it’s not just about the pork! Pork Palace also raises Boer meat goats, bringing even more variety and old-world flavor to the local table. Every cut of pork and goat is USDA processed and available for local pickup or at local Farmers Markets across the Santa Ynez Valley and surrounding areas.
Whether you're after premium pork chops, fresh sausage, or tender farm-raised goat meat, Pork Palace offers honest, farm-to-table quality you can taste. Support local, eat well, and bring home a piece of Gaviota’s farming spirit.
Contact Information
Contact
Randy Jones
(805) 350-1459
Location
1503 S Hwy 101
Gaviota, CA 93117
Located 3 miles South of Buellton on Highway 101.
Mailing Address
1503 S Hwy 101
Gaviota, CA 93117
porkpalace.com
Pick Your Own — Where the Adventure Begins!>>>>>>
There’s nothing quite like the simple joy of picking your own fruit straight from the tree or pulling fresh vegetables from the earth. Here in the Santa Ynez Valley, we invite you to roll up your sleeves, breathe in the fresh country air, and experience the land the way it was meant to be enjoyed — hands-on and heart full.
Whether it’s crisp apples, juicy berries, or sun-kissed peaches, every harvest is a chance to connect with nature, create lasting memories, and taste the Valley’s bounty at its very best. Come find your perfect pick and savor the sweetness of life, one basket at a time!