Rancho Brisas, a 60 acre avocado and citrus farm that distributes to Calavo, was founded in 1979 by Dr. Robert Mendez and his wife Valerie. In 2010, their daughter Danielle Mendez, a restauranteur, event planner and chef, decided to transition the ranch to a more organic farm, serving farmers markets, restaurants and chefs within 150 miles away. In July 2016 she will launch a new ranch experience where guests can pick their own fruits, vegetables and herbs to take home and then have a cooking class paired with wine from local wineries! A perfect afternoon or evening experience with friends or family! In 2018 Danielle will release her first wine label to accompany her thriving vodka line Phantom Fly Vodka which is distributed through Southern California by Southern Wine and Spirits. Danielle still runs her event planning companies Danielle Mendez Events and Spitfire Events which Service Los Angeles, San Diego and Maui.