A 15-acre property on the market in Napa County, the epicenter of the wine-growing business in Northern California, comes with a vineyard and a house destined for entertaining guests.
It’s not unusual for a vineyard to be part of the deal for homebuyers in Napa, according to Cyd Greer of Coldwell Bankers Brokers of the Valley, who recently listed 1626 Whitehall Lane for $9.9 million. The owners typically hire a vineyard manager and sign contracts with wineries that want to buy the fruit, she said in an interview.
In this case the vineyard covers more than six of the 15 acres, while the main and guest houses are tucked into one corner of the site. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grow on 2 acres, including on terraces cut into a hillside, while another four acres are devoted to the Sauvignon Blanc variety. A recreational pond adjacent to the vineyard provides frost protection during the cooler months.
The 3,900-square-foot main house has its own allure, with a great room and a deck of 5,000 square feet that provides ample room for entertaining. Not long after the house was remodeled and enlarged to its present size in the 1980s, it drew famous visitors like Arnold Palmer and Billy Casper, who came to the area on several occasions to play at the TransAmerica Golf Tournament at Napa’s Silverado Country Club. One of the Whitehall Lane property’s owners was an executive at TransAmerica Corp. in nearby San Francisco.
The two families that own the property now have used it for extended family gatherings, Greer said. She thinks it would be appealing to its next owner as a second home. But she adds that it could be more than that, pointing out a 1,000-square-foot barn that looks out on the vineyard.
“It would be really fun to use the barn as a party space because of its location,” she said. “There’s so much versatility and options on the property. It could also be good for corporate retreats.”
The property actually includes two parcels of land, with the main and guest house on 5 acres and another 10 acres next door. Napa County allows one primary house on each piece of land, so if they want to, the next owner can build a second home on the larger parcel.
While it’s tucked away in a small valley, the property is only a seven-minute drive from the town of St. Helena.
“It’s a very private place, yet you’re conveniently near wine tasting and shopping,” said Greer.