After careers in engineering and human resources, Ron and Vicky Morris gave it all up.

They didn't retire, far from it. The couple bought some land in Loomis and today are the proud owners of Loomis' only winery, Secret Ravine Winery, located off Barton Road on Gold Trail Way.

"We bought the property in 1998 and planted our first grapes that same year," says Ron. "The property used to be a horse ranch. We turned the barn into the winery."

Ron and Vicky admit they didn't know much about wine making in the beginning. But after traveling and tasting the fruity beverage in great wine-producing locations such as Italy and France, Ron enrolled in several courses in viticulture through U.C. Davis. He has learned so much, he now teaches others about managing an estate vineyard through the community education courses offered at Sierra College.

Though the 4.6-acre property was a horse ranch when they purchased it, Ron believed the area was perfect for growing grapes.

"I discovered in the 1870s this area used to be a 40-acre vineyard," he says. "It remained a vineyard until 1954 when it was converted to a dairy farm."

According to Ron's research, the area was subdivided into 4.6-acre parcels around 1974-76.

Even though the Morrises planted grapes that first year and again in 1999, their first harvest wasn't until 2001. Today they manage not only their own property but also two additional vineyards in the Loomis Basin for a total of 10 acres of grapes used for the variety of wines they produce. How many cases and the type of wine depends on Mother Nature.

Currently, the couple features five reds, a rose and a white. Several of the wines feature grapes grown on the Morris' property and all are made from Loomis Basin grapes.

The 2003 Estate Sangiovese is a smooth burst of fruit with gentle undertones. The brilliant brick red has a hint of toast oak as well. In contrast to the 2003 Rattlesnake Red, also a 100 percent Sangiovese, the Estate Sangiovese is made entirely from grapes grown at the Loomis vineyard, which yield less grapes per acre, were grown at a lower altitude and picked two weeks later. The Rattlesnake Red, made from Newcastle grapes, is also a rich red, well-made Sangiovese, but, like it's name implies, has more of a bite.

Secret Ravine also offers a 2002 Estate Grown Zinfandel, which is both fruity and has a zing of pepper. This dark ruby wine entices with the aroma of black cherry and a hint of blueberry. The winery also offers a 2002 Zinfandel made from grapes grown at Granite Bay's Cavitt Stallman Vineyard. Though we did not taste this wine, it boasts a distinctively fruity flavor with aromas of oak, tobacco and cinnamon.

Not available until later in the year, the 2004 Syrah, already has bold flavor foretelling a smooth future once bottled. There is nothing harsh about this wine, even in the barrel. The 2002 Syrah, which is available now, gives an indication as to what the 2004 has in store. A warm seductive wine, with hints of pepper and tart black cherry. Though the 2002 was aged 24 months in French oak barrels, Secret Ravine uses both American and French Oak as it ages it's reds for a minimum of 18 months.

For those with lighter wine tastes, Secret Ravine offers the aptly named Gold Fever, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier, as well as the Venom 2004 Rosato de Sangiovese, a semi-sweet, dry rosè-style wine.

The most recent planting should yield a Barbera blend in 2007. In fall of this year, Secret Ravine will also release a Cabernet Franc made from grapes grown in Granite Bay and Loomis.

"We're just now getting the grapes to maturity. I see continued improvement," says Ron. "It typically takes seven to eight years."

Ron says harvesting takes place in the fall and usually takes three to four weeks. However this season was especially long and difficult due to the cool spring the area experienced and the high temperatures of July.

"When it gets so hot the grapes stop respirating and don't mature as well," he says. "This year we didn't finish the harvest until Oct. 20."

Harvest at Secret Ravine is a family affair with relatives and friends joining in to get all the grapes picked, which is a process all done by hand.

"We usually pick in the early morning," Ron says. "If we work hard we can pick four tons in one day."

For Vicky, owning the vineyard is rewarding as she enjoys being outdoors and is especially fond of keeping track of the whole cycle the grape goes through, from the first bud that appears in March to the harvest season in the fall.

"Overall I would say this is a good area for a vineyard," Vicky said. "The soil is conducive to growing, the climate is warm in the summer and yet cold enough in the winter for the vines to go dormant."

Though usually open for tasting by appointment only, Secret Ravine will hold an open house during Presidents' Day weekend from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 18-20. The wine is also available online (www.secretravine.com), at Raley's in Loomis and various restaurants in the Loomis Basin area.

Call 652-6015 for more information.