About

Set on 56± acres overlooking the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley, this rare compound offers a sense of scale, privacy, and landscape seldom found in such short distance to the San Francisco Bay Area. Rolling knolls, open meadows, and cultivated gardens shape a setting that feels removed from the pace of the city while remaining within easy reach of the region’s major technology, innovation, financial centers.

The property is the culmination of a most discerning two-decade long search and development effort. Upon first visit in 1998, the owners felt drawn to the destination and imagined the property’s potential. The owners describe their impression of the site as a place “surrounded by the beauty of nature, where we could watch the hot air balloons fly by in the mornings, the fog flow in and out along the river, and the change of seasons.”

Developed with careful attention to the terrain, the property unfolds as a place for restoration as much as residence. In total, the estate offers roughly 7,766 square feet of interior living space complemented by more than 7,000 square feet of covered and open air entertaining areas, forming nearly 15,000 square feet dedicated to gatherings, celebrations, and space to unwind. A network of paths and a manicured two mile hiking trail wind through fruit orchards, 100 olive trees, and garden spaces, leading to moments of discovery including a small stone amphitheater, outdoor sculptures, a tipi camping site, and elevated vantage points.

Designed by architects Ed Keiner and John Kasten with builder Dale James, landscape architect Jack Chandler, and interiors by Erin Martin, the estate reflects a distinctly Californian ranch sensibility rooted in natural materials, generous scale, and an easy connection between interior and exterior living. The home was featured in California Home + Design Magazine which detailed Martin’s unique vision to create an elegantly understated and warm aesthetic. Martin recalled that for the first time, she “was given free rein to run with [her] ideas,” while harmoniously collaborating with her fellow professionals and the owners.

The main residence of approximately 4,950 square feet centers on a vaulted great room with exposed wood beams, wide plank hickory pecan floors, and a wood burning hearth. French doors open to a broad lani’i of Ipe decking with sweeping eastern views, extending daily life outdoors. A two bedroom guest house with private patios, living/dining area, and views of the valley lives as an extension of the main house. Nearby terraces surround a pool and spa, with covered dining areas and lounges designed for long afternoons and evenings outside. The overall composition encourages a slower rhythm of living where mornings begin with walks through the land and afternoons settle naturally outdoors by the pool, gardens, and vineyards.

The event barn which impresses upon arrival and leaves guests in awe, anchors the estate’s social life. Combining indoor and outdoor space, the barn covers 5,000 square feet to include: a grand event space underneath soaring ceilings with local artisan-crafted light fixtures, a loft area perfect for making a toast, or for the DJ to entertain from, a large work area for storage or vineyard management, plus an upstairs office with conference area. Attached to the event space is an incredibly well-appointed single-level guest apartment with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, dining nook, living room, laundry room, storage, and covered outdoor dining space.

Centered around 7.15 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon plus 2+ acres approved for planting, the home’s Oak Knoll District AVA vineyard was thoughtfully planned to capture each exceptional quality of the property’s terroir. The location is one of the premier areas for growing grapes in the Oak Knoll District AVA. Moderate, consistent temperatures year round allow for maximum time on the vine before harvesting. Eager to uncover the vineyard’s excellence, while designing the residences, the owners established vineyard infrastructure and planted four acres in 2000 and produced their first harvest in 2003. From the beginning, sustainable farming and vineyard management techniques have been integral to the family’s values and farming methodology. Special practices include efforts such as: biodiverse farming, hand-mowed cover crop, intuitive irrigation, a Fish Friendly Farming partnership, rainwater collection system, and sheep-lead annual mowing and seed dispersal. A byproduct of their deep care in all areas of grape growing is on display in each bottle of wine produced from the property’s fruit, described by the owners as “balanced, expressive and healthy fruit for winery clients.”

The experience of the property is defined less by scale than by atmosphere. It is a place to gather, to think, and to reset, where architecture and landscape work together to create an enduring sense of retreat. Though private and deeply tranquil, the estate remains minutes from Napa Valley’s celebrated restaurants, spas, wineries, and rich cultural life.

“Starting with the exemplary taste and direction of the owners, we were very fortunate to work with a great team to develop the plans for this property. All of the designers involved worked well together: architecture, landscape design, site and vineyard design as well as interiors, resulting in a very unified and cohesive composition.”
– John Kasten, Architect
Keiner & Kasten
Architecture & Planning

As part of the design, the owners created living spaces to incorporate lifestyle elements that they appreciated during their residence in Hawai’i: a large lani’i for entertaining and a layout that draws guests to the outdoors while bringing elements of the outside in. This desire for seamless indoor-outdoor living was integral to the incorporation of countless French doors along the east portion of the home. In connection to the comfortable interior layout, the owner remarks, “we wanted all our everyday living spaces on one floor, and, to encourage our guests to stay for a while, we had generous guest accommodations.”  

After 20 years, the family is prepared to entrust the legacy of this unprecedented property to a new discerning owner who may appreciate Napa Valley for its special qualities: “four distinct seasons, all beautiful, a grape-growing community that is very supportive, a proximity to San Francisco, and a growing, music, art and restaurant scene.”