Find Refuge And Comfort At This 94-Acre Estate In The Sierra Nevada Mountain Range

If your idea of bliss is embarking to a place where you can watch stars twinkling in the night sky or a fast-running stream winding its way through a meadow, a sprawling estate in a remote corner of the Sierra Nevada mountain range is the perfect place to start. 

Known as The Cedars, the 93.6-acre property is about five miles south of Graeagle, California, and about an hour from Lake Tahoe. The property, which was subdivided from an 800-acre ranch, has been relisted for $25 million after a $30 million price cut. 

The Cedars was conceived and built by Bob Luciano Jr., who pioneered cutting-edge technologies that have made significant contributions to the gaming industry. He was at the forefront of many technological innovations in gaming and systems at Bally Technologies. 

Luciano sketched the initial design for The Cedars on a cocktail napkin. Built and remodeled over time with purpose, attention to detail and craftsmanship, the estate offers privacy and an amenity-rich lifestyle in a relaxed and tranquil setting. 

“The sheer magnitude of work that went into the design and integration of every detail over the course of 20 years of construction is astounding,” said Lexi Cerretti of Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty marketing team.

The property previously was marketed as a residential style lodge, but it’s far from a traditional lodge. The multi-building retreat is a recreational and entertainment facility designed to host events and large groups of people with the entertainment lodge as the focal point. 

“The ideal buyer for these big estates is typically someone who is looking for open space, privacy and an exquisite lodge with a direct connection to outdoor recreating and the ability to host large groups of family and friends,” said Breck Overall of Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty, who is co-listing the property with his business partner, Jeff Hamilton.

He added, “The most logical buyer for it is more of someone who is looking to turn it into a retreat for large groups of people, such as a corporate retreat, dude ranch or wedding venue. Or it could even be a large family who wants the ability to host their extended family and friends for weekends in the mountains. We currently have a few serious prospective buyers, and they have indicated that it would be exactly that, a retreat, a place to get away with their friends and family.” 

Overall says the property offers an authentic Sierra experience, noting: “The word authentic really captures the feel of this property, as it offers a true mountain experience.” 

The draw for similar properties has been in such states as Montana and Wyoming. But a big perk is the property comes with a small jet hangar at nearby Nervino Airport, which is 20 minutes away by car.

“The benefit of having that airport is we will reach the normal Bay Area buyer that we see for the Tahoe and Sierra market, and may also appeal to buyers who can fly in on their private planes from any destination.” said Overall.

Comfortable living and elegant entertaining go hand in hand at The Cedars. Guest quarters are spread among four buildings with sleeping accommodations for 30 guests. 

The compound is ideal for a recreational or corporate retreat, farm-to-table venue or a resort-style escape with access to all of the mountain amenities. The property comes with tennis courts, wine caves, stables with a riding arena and caretaker quarters. Water resources are abundant with five ponds, several streams and original water rights for irrigation purposes dating back to circa 1876. There are also geothermal wells used to supplement heat for the lodge.

Cedars Lodge, the centerpiece of the property, is a retreat unto itself. Brimming with casual luxury, the 16,000-plus-square-foot main residence offers an abundance of privacy for the owners and guests alike.

“The current owners built the lodge for entertaining guests,” said Overall. “They wanted it to accommodate multiple guests to spend the night on the property, with the main lodge being the focal point for dining and socializing.”

The craftsmanship and incredible views are in a league of their own. The lodge is situated on a hillside to take advantage of expansive and serene views on every side of the building, including streams and ponds, rolling meadow, orchards, cedar groves, and the Sierra Nevada mountains surrounding the property.

Sunrises over the surrounding forests and mountains, especially through the mist, are breathtaking. At night, the sky is sprinkled with a myriad of stars.

Fittingly, the lodge’s grand hall entertainment space on the main level has a raised piano stage where legendary crooner Tony Bennett sang at a holiday party. Past the stage, an area with a long wooden table that is capable of seating up to 22 people enhances the rustic elegance of the estate. The table was designed and made on site with wood that was lumbered, milled and finished from trees on the property. 

There is a commercial kitchen and grill with bar seating, a banquet serving area, several indoor and outdoor seating and dining areas, including a veranda wrapping around the main lodge with grills, patio kitchen and pizza oven. Indoors, the service elevator and main elevator serve all three levels, and there are his-and-hers powder rooms with multiple stalls.

Upstairs rooms include two large master suites with laundry facilities, library, kitchenette, full bath and loft for additional sleeping and an open sitting area.

The lower level has two guest suites with kitchenettes, tech-equipped conference room and adjoining wine bar, a full commercial kitchen worthy of any 5-star resort with laundry, staff lockers and bathroom. There also is a full spa with massage, sauna, steam, showers and exercise rooms, an exterior bathroom, storage and two‐car garage. All are available fully furnished with stocked bars.

An adjacent pavilion has an outdoor kitchen. Systems include state-of-the-art lighting, A/V, sound, security system and hydronic geothermal and hydronic heat in the 16,350- square-foot space.

The rich and famous don’t always stay at five-star hotels. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers spent a Super Bowl weekend at The Cedars bunkhouse while recuperating from an injury. Televisions were installed in every room so he could see the big game. Rodgers also filmed an Izod commercial while staying at the estate.

The two-story 5,512-square-foot bunkhouse accommodates up to 18 guests with several sleeping quarters and a central kitchen, whiskey and tequila bars and large indoor/outdoor entertainment areas.

“It’s a multi-functional facility ideal for large gatherings,” said Overall. “It sleeps large groups and is perfect for entertaining with its unique bars and massive game room downstairs.”

The carriage house boasts full guest quarters, a garage and separate horse stables with six stalls and paddocks, adjacent grooming shed and 2,280-square-foot round pen arena for riding.  “We imagine someone who has a passion for horses and all things equestrian would be drawn to this property as well,” said Overall.  

The 2,744-square-foot maintenance building has an office and workshop with six 11-foot metal roll-up doors. A caretaker’s cabin is also on the grounds.

Hiking, all-terrain vehicle and horseback riding are available on site and on miles of adjoining Forest Service land. The property includes pastures for grazing, an RV parking pad, tennis court with gallery seating, a trampoline level to the ground, horseshoe pits, Frisbee golf and two expansive wine caves. 

Click here to watch a video showcasing The Cedars. 

This post first appeared on Forbes.com. To see the original, click here.