The Agustin Toscanos moved to San Antonio de las Minas in the 1950′s and raised three children, including Humberto. At the time, there was no Ensenada to Tecate highway and access to the ranch was over a nearby ridge on a winding dirt road in the family pick up truck. Humberto remembers his Dad driving his kids to the one room school house located about 5 miles north of the ranch. Don Agustin picked up neighbor kids on the way so they would all get to school on time. The children often walked or rode their bikes home at the end of the day.
The Toscanos grew oranges, table grapes and olives for sale out of their home and in Sauzal. They also sold olives to a factory that was located on the road to Maneadero south of Ensenada. Dona Petra took great pride in her cooking. She prepared jams and preserves from fruit grown on the ranch. She was famous for her “membrillo” – a chewy candy which is very popular in Mexico. Dona Petra also made and sold “queso fresco” (fresh cheese). People would come from great distances to devour her fresh tortillas which she would offer them hot right off the grill of her wood stove.
Dona Petra’s home arts were accomplished without the benefit of electricity which came to the ranch in the 1900′s after she had passed away. Water was supplied by gravity feed and there was a single pipe feeding the faucet at the kitchen sink. The sink was plumbed to drain to a gorgeous rose bush outside the kitchen window in order to keep it alive in the desert-like climate.
Because of the time it took to pick up supplies in Ensenada, a sleepy fishing village at the time, Don Agustin bought non-perishables in bulk and brought them to the ranch. Neighbors started coming over and asking to buy a kilo or two of coffee, sugar or beans. The staples were added to Dona Petra’s home made products for sale and thus their “small store” enterprise began as a service to their neighbors. They ran the store out of a small addition to the ranch house.
After Agustin and Dona Petra passed away, the ranch fell into disrepair. The Humberto Toscanos returned to the ranch in 2002 with the idea to recreate the ambiance of earlier days. Using their own sweat equity, they reconstructed fallen walls with adobe bricks made with their own hands from clay gathered on the ranch.
The Toscanos agree that offering for sale such regionally home made items such as artesanal wines, “membrillo” jams, salsas, olive and grape seed oils, hand stitched linens and soy candles, revives the home arts tradition started by Dona Petra.
The Toscanos also support local artists by providing space for the sale of paintings and sculptures. Folk arts by indigenous Mexican tribal potters, carvers and basket weavers complement the theme. Antiques for sale recall the earlier times of Dona Petra and Don Agustin.
La Casa Vieja now includes a wine tasting bar, dining room and patio as well as a gift shop and art gallery. Rustic seating is available under ancient olive trees.
The Humberto Toscano family welcomes you and wishes you a revitalizing visit to their historic home and ranch. You’re invited to relax in the country atmosphere and absorb a bit of the family history.
KM 93.5 Carretera Ensenada a Tecate
San Antonio de las Minas, Mexico
Directions: Just 15 minutes from the Ensenada toll booth on Highway 3, Route de Vino
Gallery hours – Monday – CLOSED, Tuesday — Thursday 10-6pm, Friday – Sunday 10-9pm
For more information please contact:
Humberto & Colleen Toscano, 646-155-3153 or lacasavieja.baja@hotmail.com