For 13 years, owners Robert and Laurie Williamson have quietly created their slice of paradise on 300 acres just outside of Valera, Texas. Rancho Loma has been on my radar for some time now. Dear friends Bruce and Jana Colgate and Tom and I finally made the effort to book a two night stay there. We also booked a seating for a wine dinner which was held at their pizzeria in nearby Coleman. Rancho Pizzeria serves very fine pizzas, salads, appetizers, desserts, wine and beer. An old repurposed warehouse makes a great backdrop for this minimally stylish restaurant. Adjacent to the pizza space is El Centro, a retro-vibed coffee shop serving cookies, muffins, scones and sandwiches. Future plans for the ambitious couple include a wine making facility, wine bar and brew pub. Back at the ranch, a short drive from Coleman, are 300 acres, an old rock house (where Laurie serves a fixed price menu Friday and Saturday evenings), six super cool rooms (think Dwell magazine) for lodging and a vineyard (now under construction). Ancha and Rio, brother and sister canines, supervise the ranch overseeing a bevy of chickens, roosters, pigeons, longhorns and more.

Let’s just say our stay there was lovely and warrants a repeat visit when temperatures will be warmer making their soaking pool more inviting.

The wine dinner featured Texas wines including Comfort’s much admired Bending Branch Winery. Chefs Laurie and Cliff served the sold out crowd a well executed palate of flavors.

This is a place to go for reflection, for culinary adventure, and for slowing down a bit. Enjoy the photos. Highly recommended.