Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesse Harbison.
In 1978, Saddlerock Ranch was a dusty little property in the hills above Malibu. A fire had recently burned most of the structures, but the iconic rock formations were unmistakable. Turtle Rock, named by the indigenous Chumash for the distinctive profile of a turtle basking in the warm afternoon sun, and Saddlerock, after the western saddles the early western explorers rode, acted as bookends to a pleasant valley. The Semler family purchased the property that year and expanded and transformed it into a home for 9 children and countless grandchildren.
One of these children, Dakota, was fascinated by the animals he encountered during family trips to Kenya and Tanzania. On one of these trips, while the family shared a fateful bottle of wine, watched the sunset and the grazing herds, Dakota (now fully grown) decided to bring a small part of this experience back to Malibu. After a few fitful starts and stops, Malibu Wine Safari was born during the summer of 2013, allowing visitors the opportunity to explore the historic ranch, meet animals, tour the 70 acres of vines, and taste finely crafted wine.
With the help of a few extremely dedicated tour guides, photogenic animals, and some good word of mouth, the safari grew exponentially over the next four years, eventually becoming one of the most sought-after outdoor attractions in Los Angeles.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Every business experiences bumps along the road to success, and Malibu Wine Safari was no different. Inadequacies of electricity supply, running water, shelter, and vehicle maintenance plagued the operation from the very first day. Among the many issues, we dealt with in those early years were trucks that would refuse to start five minutes before a sold-out tour; suppliers that would get lost in the twisting and confusing roads of the Santa Monica mountains; and trails that were barely passable. Over the years, however, we were able to improve our infrastructure and streamline many of our processes, transforming the operation into a very safe, smooth, and comfortable experience for our visitors.
Please tell us about Malibu Wine Safari.
Wine tasting and tours are not unique to California (although seldom found in Los Angeles County), but Malibu Wine Safari adds the exciting element of exotic animals. Instead of standing at a counter and learning about the grapes, the terroir, and the history of the land, we take you out into the vineyards and pour wine while meeting Zebras, Llamas, and a very charming Giraffe.
What sets us apart from other recreational activities is the team working here. Our tour guides are not only knowledgeable about wine and our animals, they are also skilled presenters and entertainers, weaving stories of the family into playful anecdotes about our animal friends. They are also able to educate without sounding like teachers and to gently broaden our guests’ familiarity with wine.
Contact Info:
- Address: 32111 Mulholland Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
- Website: www.lasafaris.com
- Phone: (818) 497-2206
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @malibusafaris
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/malibuwinesafaris
Image Credit:
Cove Collective, Inc.
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