An Idyllic Wine Country Estate

Topped with iconic barrel tile and perfectly positioned amid rugged stone walls at the end of an elegant allée of mature trees and manicured hedges, this chic residence evokes the ambience of a villa in the countryside of France. No passport is required to arrive at this enchanting getaway, though—its verdant 4.04-acre setting is nestled in an equally beguiling destination, the green and golden hills and esteemed vineyards of California’s wine country.

Venetian plaster walls, timeless blue shutters, thoughtfully chosen light fixtures, French limestone, hardy ceiling beams, handsome hardwoods, decorative ironwork, and a glorious natural glow contribute to the home’s certain je ne sais quoi. The heart of the sophisticated floor plan is a great room that includes space for informal dining and is warmed by an oversized stone fireplace. Steps away is a bright, cheerful gourmet kitchen with an island, a wine chiller, and a La Cornue range with a colorful backsplash. Indoor-outdoor living and entertaining are accomplished with remarkable ease here, thanks to French doors and walls of glass opening to a series of breezy covered terraces—including one with the added allure of an outdoor fireplace—that give way to lush swaths of lawn and the property’s two refreshing swimming pools.

One of four bedrooms, the owner’s suite is tucked beneath a beamed pitched ceiling on the upper level and benefits from its own fireplace, a romantic iron-railed balcony, and a spa-inspired bath with a spacious shower and a soaking tub set beside a sunny window. Throughout, the feeling is one of relaxed luxury and consummate stylish comfort.

Visitors will appreciate the freedom to relax and unwind in the stone-clad two-bedroom, one-bath guesthouse or beside their own pool and spa. Furthering the sense of a true getaway are the estate’s vibrant flowering gardens, an invigorating sports court, and a private putting green. The soil in the Rutherford area produces wines—Cabernets in particular—widely admired for fruit and herb elements tinged with a distinctive spicy element known as “Rutherford dust.” The estate takes full advantage of this unique terroir with 2.5 acres of Cabernet vineyards.

Much as the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 revealed California wines to be rivals of their French counterparts, so the Rutherford area mirrors the appeal of the French countryside with its rolling hills, Mediterranean-like climate, and superior food and culture. The small community of Rutherford is home to numerous world-renowned and historic wineries, including Beaulieu, Robert Mondavi, Rutherford Hill, Inglenook, and St. Supéry and as well as the celebrated Auberge du Soleil resort.