the project

The Deer Ridge Sustainability Project presents a business model for a new, more nature-based, lifestyle. The combination of the generation of clean, renewable energy and sustainable agricultural production supports the maintenance of a natural environment where people can enjoy the outdoors as part of their daily lives.

New Business Model

The Organic Vineyard

At Deer Ridge, we will focus on organic production to repair the environmental damage caused by years of extensive use of chemicals for fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides to maintain the former golf course. The defunct golf course will be turned into a landscape where walking trails will wind through organic vineyards, olive groves and lavender fields.

new business model

The Microgrids

Having lost the public golf course revenue stream, the Deer Ridge microgrid presents a new opportunity to generate income for the community. The Deer Ridge Demonstration Project will sell renewable energy under a long-term contract to energy providers. New income would allow for maintaining the present “outdoor focused” housing infrastructure cherished by the current residents.

introducing

The Clubhouse

To facilitate the important “meeting of minds” to drive innovation forward, Deer Ridge will offer a first-class restaurant. The restaurant will be led by an outstanding chef, and will grow its own “farm to fork” produce in an organic “chef’s garden” on a few acres of the property.

Latest

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Deer Ridge Golf Course focusing on sustainability

May 18, 2021

The sustainable future of the Deer Ridge Golf Club on Foothill Drive in Brentwood is still very much at the forefront of progress as efforts to convert the golf course and its clubhouse into a new venue of walking trails, vineyards and a high-end restaurant are underway.

Annual Wine Awards 2020

May 3, 2020

Winemaking or vinification is the production of wine, starting with the selection of the fruit, its fermentation into alcohol, and the bottling of the finished

the story

When the Deer Ridge community was planned in the late-1990’s, its central amenity and primary organizing element was a championship golf course. After the course opened in 2005, more than 1000 homes were built and quickly sold around its perimeter, with many buyers paying hefty lot premiums for properties with golf course frontage.

But in 2019, after 14 consecutive years of operating losses, having encountered strong local opposition to a proposal for adding new residential housing units on the property, and when the main irrigation pump failed, the golf course owner permanently closed the course and its 8500 square foot clubhouse. Deprived of water and ongoing maintenance investment, the once beautifully manicured fairways and greens quickly returned to scrub grass and weeds, leaving behind upset neighbors and the need for a sustainability plan.

Deer Ridge Country Club and Golf Course had to close in late 2019.

Deer Ridge will be transformed in an innovative project of clean energy and sustainable land stewardship called the Deer Ridge Sustainability Project.

In addition to the introduction of the first sustainable fuel cell supported microgrid in the U.S, the rolling hills of the defunct golf course will be turned into a landscape where walking trails will wind through organic vineyards, olive groves and lavender fields supporting what people brought to Deer Ridge at the start, their love of the outdoors.

Deer Ridge Home Page