The ranch, known as “Patrón de Paz,” was located in Dripping Springs, about 40 minutes west of Austin.

A 96-acre Texas ranch once owned by Patrón Tequila co-founder John Paul DeJoria came with an unusual combination of luxury, wildlife and an underground shelter. More than 120 exotic African animals lived on the property, while the estate also had a 7,540-square-foot main house, two barns, a stocked pond, a pecan orchard and a 2,700-square-foot underground shelter. The ranch, known as “Patrón de Paz,” was located in Dripping Springs, about 40 minutes west of Austin, and stretched along 2,600 feet of Fitzhugh Creek. According to the Houston Chronicle, the property was listed for $7.495 million in 2016 after initially being put on the market for $7.99 million. It eventually sold for $6.93 million. As reported by ABC13 Houston, television director Jonathan Nowzaradan is the buyer of the ranch.

A ranch that came with more than a house

The main residence measured 7,540 square feet and had four bedrooms and six bathrooms.

The property was not simply a large Texas home. Its listing described it as an exotic-animal ranch, and the buyer was set to inherit more than 120 exotic African animals. According to the Houston Chronicle, the animals were part of the property when it was listed. The ranch included two barns, each with attached guest quarters, along with a stocked pond and a pecan orchard. As reported by The San Antonio Express-News, the animals included more than 120 exotic species and that the property was being sold with the animals and its furnishings. The estate itself covered 96 acres and overlooked Fitzhugh Creek, which feeds from Barton Creek. The main residence measured 7,540 square feet and had four bedrooms and six bathrooms. It featured wood-beamed ceilings, hardwood floors, partial stone walls and a large gourmet kitchen with a commercial-grade stove. Outside, there was a pool and spa, an outdoor kitchen and a wide porch overlooking the surrounding Hill Country.

The underground shelter

One of the property’s more unusual features was underground. As reported by The San Antonio Express-News, the ranch included a 2,700-square-foot underground shelter. The Austin Business Journal also described the property as having a “2,700-square underground shelter.” So, when the ranch changed hands, the buyer was getting far more than a luxury residence. The property came with its land, buildings, underground shelter and a large collection of exotic animals.

The animals were part of the deal

The exotic animals were among the details that made the ranch unusual in the first place. As reported by The Houston Chronicle, the new owner would inherit more than 120 exotic African animals. The ranch was a 96-acre property with a spa pool, limestone walls and the animals. The animals included species such as gazelles, wildebeest and antelopes.

Why DeJoria sold the ranch

DeJoria co-founded Patrón Spirits Company in 1989.

DeJoria, best known for co-founding John Paul Mitchell Systems and Patrón Spirits Company, had owned Patrón de Paz since 2008, as reported by the San Antonio Express-News. Realtor Dave Murray said DeJoria’s primary residence was near Lake Austin and that he had decided to sell the Dripping Springs ranch. Murray also said DeJoria owned several other homes around the world and was selling four estates at the time. DeJoria co-founded John Paul Mitchell Systems with hairdresser Paul Mitchell in 1980 and later co-founded Patrón Spirits Company in 1989. The ranch’s sale meant that its next owner did not simply acquire a large piece of Texas Hill Country property. The $6.93 million deal also brought with it a ready-made exotic-animal ranch, two barns, a creekside estate, a stocked pond and a 2,700-square-foot underground shelter.