Frutteto means orchard in Italian, we have a Bosc Pear, one Oh Henry Peach, a couple of European Plum, 8 Jonathan Apple trees, but mostly we have the famous Sebastopol Gravenstein Apples, old trees and young trees ... with more varieties of fruit trees to come as I have time. 

     Grandpa Enrico "Henry" Bottino came from Piova Massaia, Piemonte, Northern Italy. He arrived on the "La Lorraine" Passenger Ship in 1910 with his sister, Catarina, and their father, Giuseppe, when he was 4 years old. He was raised on his Uncle and Aunt's fruit tree orchard in San Jose, California until he moved to the Mission District of San Francisco, as a young man and met my Grandmother "Sally". I believe the ranching experience in San Jose brought him, years later, to this 4 acre Sebastopol property in the 1960's where he grew his family, his garden and took care of his orchard the best he could.

     I remember growing up here and have fond memories of the family, gardens, grapes, orchards, tractors, trucks, fire / smoke (from pruning the trees), the Russian River and dirt! Grandpa would use a broom to broom (dust) my cousin and I off before we were allowed back in the house.

     I loved it then, and I love it now! He and Grandma Sally called the property "El Rancho Grande".  Uncle Joe called it "Rancho Bottino", and I've been calling it the "Bottino Ranch", but think going back to grandpa's roots "Bottino Frutteto" sounds just about right at this time, for me. (grin)

"as with everything,... a labor of love and, a work in progress"