Overview

Journey Napa Valley – a stunning Napa Valley home surrounded by resplendent natural beauty, this exquisite residence is set on 56± brilliant acres overlooking the coveted Oak Knoll AVA. Never before presented on the market, this one-of-a-kind retreat offers breathtaking valley and mountain views. A top-quality 9.27± acre vineyard and sweeping grounds surround a timelessly elegant main residence, two guest residences of generous proportions, and a well-appointed event barn designed for entertaining.  

History

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.” Today, the topography of rolling knolls includes: several gardens and entertainment venues, a private 2-mile manicured hiking trail that winds past ancient olive groves, fruit orchards, a stone amphitheater with nearby wishing well, chicken coops, outdoor art sculptures, a teepee, and soaring vistas from various vantage points.

Design

Notable architects Ed Keiner and John Kasten, builder Dale James, landscape architect Jack Chandler, and famed interior designer Erin Martin worked with the owners to conceive a truly incomparable property, with completion of the residences in 2002. The home was featured in California Home + Design Magazine which detailed Martin’s unique vision to create an elegantly understated and warm aesthetic. Utilizing a variation of textures and a neutral palette to compliment the airy layout, the space thoughtfully showcases the special artifacts the owners collected in their worldwide travels. 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.

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.”  

Residences

The crown jewel of the property is the 4,950 square foot. fully-custom three bedroom main residence, 1,000 square foot two bedroom, two bath guest house, and vaulted event barn with a spacious 1,200 square foot two bedroom, two bathroom guest apartment. Totaling 7,766 square feet. of living space and 7,322 square feet of additional entertainment areas, the property is an entertainer’s delight.

The centerpiece of the main residence is the open-plan great room facing east with soaring vaulted ceilings, exposed wood beams, wide-plank hickory pecan floors, plus a wood-burning fireplace, accessed through a massive ebonized walnut front door. Within the voluminous interiors, Martin created intimate sanctuaries such as a dining space, living room area with music nook, all connected by cohesive paths for easy daily living and entertaining. Her hand-selected furnishings complement the ambience and are included in the sale. The kitchen features a large central island topped with end-grain walnut, cabinets and drawers painted creamy white with stainless steel accents for a “visual twist,” plus high-end appliances for the chef. The great room opens through French doors to the lana'i – 2,022 square feet of covered IPE decks with 180-degree views that could comfortably host 100 guests. Just north of the lana’i is a pool with spa, two covered dining venues and lounge surrounding an outdoor fireplace. The plentiful outdoor venues are truly made to entertain.

Across a garden-lined corridor is the upper guest house. A retreat unto itself, the two bedroom, two bathroom home orients to the pool and vast eastern views, vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and the property’s hiking trails from the west portion of the home. The common area is light-filled and includes an open living / dining / kitchenette space surrounded by fragrant roses and lush greenery. Built for generational living, the home is single-level and has designated parking nearby.

Event Barn

A key feature of Journey Napa Valley that impresses upon arrival and leaves guests in awe is the event barn. 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.

Vineyard

Centered around 9.27 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, the home’s Oak Knoll 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. 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.”

Legacy

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.” The home’s essence is one-of-a-kind and cannot be replicated. From intimate family reunions to monumental celebrations, and the quiet days in between, each moment at Journey Napa Valley is a remarkable opportunity to connect with the immeasurable beauty and spirit that this expansive property holds.

Floating peacefully above the valley, it is a reprieve from the bustle of the fast-paced city cadence, a place to create a lifetime of memories, and is destined to be treasured for generations.

“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