08/14/2026
They were here before we were.
Tule Elk are found only in California, but there was a time when it was believed they had disappeared altogether. After their population was devastated during the Gold Rush era, the species was thought to be extinct by the 1860s. Then, in 1873, cattle baron Henry Miller's vaqueros discovered a surviving pair in a marsh, an important moment in what would become a remarkable conservation story.
In 1923, a small number of Tule Elk were released into Lake and Colusa Counties as part of an effort to help the species recover.
Fast forward to 1997, when Bill Van Pelt first visited the 590-acre property that would become Cache Creek Vineyards. A herd of Tule Elk was already here to greet him and Bill made a promise to give them a safe place to remain.
The Van Pelt family created ponds for the elk, planted grasses they love, and protected the herd from poachers. Today, Bill's son Don continues his father's commitment to maintaining a sanctuary where these remarkable animals can flourish.
So when you see Tule Elk roaming the hills and vineyards around Cache Creek, you're seeing much more than local wildlife. You're seeing a piece of California's natural heritage and a story we're proud to be part of.
Here's to protecting this wild legacy for generations to come.
