At first blush, this lovely 4,600-square-foot residence could easily be mistaken for a glorious getaway in Provence, its striking mansard roofline, meticulously manicured parterres, ivy draped walls, formal stone walkways, and decorative ironwork bringing to mind a manor in the rolling lavender-scented hills of the south of France. Yet the location is stateside, in one of the most desirable and romanticized spots in the U.S.—northern California’s wine country. The ambience here is no less enchanting than that of its Old World cousins—revering the traditions that inspired it while adding contemporary touches and amenities that make the home ideal for sophisticated modern living and entertaining.
Napa, California | Ginger Martin, Sotheby’s International Realty – Wine Country – East Napa Street Brokerage
The brilliantly airy and light-filled great room recalls a salon in a European manor, with pitched beamed ceilings, a stone fireplace—one of three in the home—and French doors that blur the lines between indoors and out. Sunlight floods the formal dining room, which has a striking coffered ceiling and a view out over the terraces toward vineyards and mountains. The inviting, warmly lit kitchen features top-caliber appliances and handsomely detailed cabinets and is adjoined by a breakfast alcove set in a bright bay of windows. Among the other delightful spaces is a cheerfully stylish library or media room.
Beneath a dramatically pitched and beamed ceiling, the voluminous master suite is a serene private aerie with a fireplace, arched French doors on two sides, and a lavish, timelessly elegant bath with a soaking tub. A winding stairway beneath a domed ceiling leads to the upper level and two lofty guest bedrooms—one with a romantic iron-railed balcony.
French doors throughout the home give way to alfresco entertaining areas, including sun-soaked patios, verdant trellises, a mature olive grove, and the estate’s long, refreshing oversized pool, which is enveloped by a relaxing terrace with a spa. A vine-draped dining arbor enjoys postcard views of the surroundings. The estate also encompasses a welcoming two-bedroom, two-bath guesthouse, which was constructed in 2009. This approximately 800-square-foot retreat has a similarly captivating classical style and offers visitors the luxury of their own living area with a wet bar.
The estate’s premier position—on some 47 gated acres along the crest of the Mayacamas ridgeline—affords an expansive vista of the area’s dramatic natural terrain and iconic rolling vineyards. Although only minutes from the restaurants and wineries of Napa Valley, this remarkably private setting feels worlds away.