Dispatches: The Powers' Of Martinez

Tom and Donna Powers have lived in their sprawling Alhambra Valley home since 1999, having built most of it themselves. Powers also owns and manages a 58-acre ranch in the valley, producing wine, olive oil and vegetables, as well as caring for a small herd of goats, sheep, emus and llamas.

For 16 years, Powers was a frequent visitor to Martinez, representing west Contra Costa on the Board of Supervisors. His wife Donna was on the Richmond City Council for nearly a decade. Together, they were known as political power players in the county.

Powers has also left a legacy in Martinez. After he stepped down from the board, he was the lead consultant for the Alhambra Creek widening project, which has brought flood relief to downtown Martinez.

Today, he is an enthusiastic rancher and farmer, showing a visitor around his impressive home and farm. He is President of the Alhambra Valley Olive Oil Company, manager of Alhambra Valley Wine Co., and owner of Alhambra Valley Publications.

“I’ve changed careers multiple times,” he said. “My first job was in a grocery store. Then I was a federal agent. I’ve been a lawyer, and then a politician. Then I got smart and became a farmer. It’s a lot more relaxing.”

But the farmer profession landed by accident, according to Donna.

“When we were first thinking about what to do when Tom left the board of supervisors, we didn’t know he was going to be a farmer. The vineyard in front of our home was part of the landscaping plan.”

“Then we started eating the landscaping,” Tom added.

Today, he produces Merlot grapes in his home vineyard, which he blends with Syrah and Cabernet grapes.

Powers made a lot of friends in Martinez politics, including then-Mayor Mike Menesini, so when Powers left the board, Menesini recruited him to be the lead consultant in the creek renovation project. Powers said he was instrumental in solving the flooding problem in North Richmond in the late 1970s when he first ran for office there, which gave him the experience to tackle the Alhambra Creek project.

As for the beavers that have moved into the creek, Powers said he understands the concern of downtown property owners, but he called the creatures “a pleasant surprise. I think throwing a little nature into downtown Martinez isn’t a bad idea.”

But it is the wine business that clearly excites him.

“This used to be grape country,” he said. “It got eliminated by Prohibition. Everybody started growing pears. How interesting are pears? Why not revive the grape cultivation business in the Alhambra Valley?”

He has 14.5 acres planted with grapevines now, as well as 3.5 acres of olive trees and two acres of vegetables, which he sells from a roadside stand during the summer and early fall.

On the hillside pasture, he grazes emus, goats, sheep and llamas.

Today, Powers serves on the board of the Brentwood Land Trust, working to keep the agricultural land from being overwhelmed by housing devleopment. 

“I’m dying to see how this winery business works out,” Donna said. “I was kind of apprehensive when he first got into politics, too. Then I got the bug.”

Donna Powers served on the Richmond City Council from 1991 to 1999.

As for the city’s proposal to annex the Alhambra Valley, Powers said he has no problem with it.

“It’s a natural thing to occur,” he said. “Cities expand their boundaries to their limit. I didn’t encourage it, but I have no objection to it.”

“I don’t understand the politics out here,” Donna said. “We were in politics for 24 years, and I’m not that interested in it any more.”

“I am,” Tom said, a glint in his eye.