An Incomparable Wine Country Estate

This estate, known as Villa Montebella, won the 2024 Vacation Property of the Year award. Now newly refinished, the villa is ready to become someone’s family residence, a home for multigenerational living, or an incomparable vacation mecca for family and friends.

The compound comprises five buildings with 8765 square feet over 25.91 acres, with eight bedrooms and eight full and two half bathrooms. Surrounding the buildings are a cabernet sauvignon vineyard, a 45-foot swimming pool surrounded by deck space for lounging, a built-in hot tub accommodating 8-10, a bocce ball court, a lawn for volleyball, badminton, and croquet, a pool house with a sauna and steam shower, a lighted tennis court, balconies and decks surveying the lush hills on all sides, dozens of palms standing as much as 60 feet tall, other mature trees, and a breathtaking, 4860-square-foot wine cave with a dining area, sitting and tasting area, game room (with tables for shuffleboard, ping-pong, air hockey, and foosball), and a spacious wing where wine ages in casks. A multizone Sonos sound system supplies one’s choice of music throughout most of the property.

Enter over a long private drive, winding upward through a canopy of oaks and madrone trees, with colorful oleander shrubs alongside. The stunning villa then bursts into view, surrounded by the terraced vineyards, manicured lawns, exotic plants, and beautiful gardens. Soaring palms gently sway in the breeze. Privacy is absolute; not a single automobile can be heard in the distance, and yet the estate’s entrance is just a mile from world-class dining and wineries.

The centerpiece of the living areas is the Main House, under 20-foot beamed ceilings. It features the principal suite, two other bedrooms, a dining room more than 250 square feet in size that seats 10-14 with ease, a 560-square-foot living room (under skylights, with a wood-burning fireplace to ward off winter chill), and refinished decks and terraces that look in every direction. The kitchen, set under three skylights, features a Viking range with eight burners and two ovens, and warming drawers alongside. Distinctive white-tile counters and an island are the room’s centerpiece, with a breakfast bar seating 8-10, and alcove seating in addition. A Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer, two Bosch dishwashers, and three sinks feature every convenience. A butler’s pantry with custom cabinetry sits alongside, and the well-equipped laundry room is close at hand.

The principal suite and two other bedrooms lie upstairs. The en-suite bath for the principal suite is particularly noteworthy, with distinctive blue tiling, benches on two sides, a skylight, and four showerheads.

The other bedrooms are found in the outlying buildings, assuring privacy to family members and guests. The hexagonal Lighthouse Suite offers a bedroom of nearly 500 square feet, full bath and office. On the floor below, a THX movie theater more than 750 square feet in size will entertain residents and guests.

On the other side of the Main House, the Penthouse building’s bedroom is nearly 400 square feet, with an adjoining bath. The living room below and terraces and deck alongside provide views in every direction, and the building has its own laundry room.

The Vineyard House close by features the remaining two bedrooms, one upstairs and the other downstairs, each with en-suite baths. This house offers particularly stunning views of the vineyard.

The final bedroom and en-suite bath are in the Tennis House, adjacent to the court that alternatively could be configured for pickleball.

Parking is easy on the motor court or in the enclosed garage adjacent to the tennis court. There is a charging station for electric vehicles and a generator to furnish emergency power. Well water irrigates the grounds.

Whether for fun, solitude, winemaking, or family events for all generations, Villa Mont