Nestled in Hidden Hills is the beautiful Hidden Hills Manor and Vineyard. Home to Wish Vineyards, this estate has recently gone on the market and is available for all winery-hopefuls to finally make their dreams come true.

Perched atop a privately gated 1.5-acre knoll, an impressive motor court welcomes you to this distinctive 8 bedroom, 10 bathroom estate compound.

A grand 2-story foyer & main hall open to an array of dramatic public living areas warmed by numerous fireplaces and adorned with custom millwork & gleaming wood floors. The professional chef's kitchen boasts top-of-the-line appliances, a center island & a sunlit breakfast room. The adjacent great room adorned with rich wood paneling, custom fireplace, beamed ceiling detail & impressive entertainers bar is the heart of this home. Two en-suite guest bedrooms and a handsome library complete the main living floor. The upper level features an elegant primary suite plus 3 additional secondary en-suite bedrooms.

But the crown jewel of the property is, of course, the vineyard that comes with the land. Today, Haute Residence sat down with the current owner and seller of Wish Vineyards and the property to learn more about what goes into owning a vineyard and the lifestyle associated with it.

Photo Credit: Luxury Level

HR: What would you say is the lifestyle associated with owning a vineyard?

Owner: Well, you soon learn the lifestyle is two-fold. First, there’s the idyllic setting, the joy of producing a great vintage, and the fun of sharing it with your friends and family, and then secondly you realize that you are becoming a farmer of sorts. You get in touch with the seasons and nature and the grapes and you develop a feel for your land. The end product is a result of your attention to the flora and fauna surrounding your home.

HR: If you sell the estate is the business side included such as the branding of the Wish vineyard, social media, trademark, etc.?

Owner: Yes, and it's up for discussion because first of all there are two things: the technical side of it is that Wish has the licenses and licenses have to be approved and there's paperwork that goes with that side of it. But more importantly, I think is the idea that the branding is personal to us, each person that owns a vineyard picks their own brand. If they fall in love with the Wish logo and trademark and social media that's great and I'd be happy to sell that along with it, but I would think that whoever buys the vineyard would want to establish their own brand. It’s more of a buyer’s choice. 

HR: How much and what kinds of wine are produced per year.

Owner: The vineyard has a capacity for about 300 cases a year. Sometimes we reduce something or depending on quality we’ll make a different call. We have Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and we primarily do a Meritage blend. And each year we determine what type of wine will be made depending on what the grapes tell us.

Photo Credit: Luxury Level

HR: Who does the vineyard harvesting and maintenance?

Owner: We have a contracted vineyard crew that maintains the vineyard and harvests the grapes.

HR: So the buyer could continue with the contract?

Owner: Yes, they’ve been there several years they know the run of the vineyard it’s not like whoever buys it is going to have to go out there and start trimming vines.

HR: Does it has an AVA (American Viticultural Area) compliant designation

Owner: yes we are actually members of the Malibu AVA and the Meritage society which allows us to use the Meritage marker on our bottle. And Meritage is a trademark that denotes a Bordeaux blend because we have Bordeaux grapes. 

HR: Are there any tax benefits?

Owner: Well yes, Wish Vineyards is an LLC so the expenses are deductible through the LLC you have to make sales to be able to offset expenses

Photo Credit: Luxury Level

HR: Why do you think someone would want to own a vineyard

Owner: Other than the glamour *laughs*, well in addition to the lifestyle answer above, the wine community is an all-encompassing group of people. We've met winemakers on 6 different continents that share similar and some divergent stories to our own. A vineyard becomes a part of your family, like another child you watch it develop from year to year. As the vineyard has matured, we have also grown as grape growers and winemakers; our wines have taken on characteristics of our own makings and preferences. 

HR: What advice would you give for someone who will own it in the future?

Owner: To embrace the vineyard and have it become a part of who you are. You connect yourself to the vineyard, you feel what it needs, it helps drive decisions you make about your life, your travel, your growth, and knowledge. You expand your circles in ways related to wine, educating yourself about wine lifestyles around the world. I would advise new owners to jump in wholeheartedly and look at the vineyard as an old friend who will be there for the long run. 

For more information on the listing, click here.

For more information on Wish Vineyards, please visit their website here.

The post A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes…. At Wish Vineyards! appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Cyd Greer present

Offering a rare opportunity to carry forward its historic legacy, Rolling Oaks Hills Vineyard, located in Napa Valley’s lush Carneros region, showcases 107 +/- exquisite acres on two legal parcels with established income-producing vineyards, spectacular panoramic views, privacy, and pristine natural beauty. The residential compound is anchored by the original farmhouse, farm workers dwelling, barn, 3BR/3BA main ranch-style home and 2BR/1BA 2nd dwelling. Knoll top building sites enjoy breathtaking views that stretch to the west, east and south to Mt. Tamalpais and San Francisco. The property features almost 23 gently sloping acres of income-producing vineyard planted to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, considerably more acreage under 30% slope for vineyard expansion, opportunities for winery and further residential development, abundant water, and an impressive network of roads for access, recreational biking and hiking. One hour from San Francisco and 13 minutes to private jet service.

Address: 1200 Grandview Dr, Napa, CA 94558

Price: $12,800,000

For more information, please contact Cyd Greer at 707-322-6825 or cgreer@cbnapavalley.com

Cyd Greer represents the Napa Valley, California luxury real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. To view all her listings, visit her website.

Photo Credit: Daniel Wilson

Photo Credit: Daniel Wilson

Photo Credit: Daniel Wilson

Photo Credit: Daniel Wilson

Photo Credit: Daniel Wilson

The post An Exquisite Vineyard Estate In Napa By Cyd Greer appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Choose the Right Space

A wine cellar doesn't need to be immensely spacious, as bottles are typically stacked vertically in custom cabinetry. However, the space should be located in an area that doesn't see any natural light, as light rays can penetrate the glass of wine bottles, changing the chemical makeup of your wine. This is one of the reasons why basements often make for fantastic wine cellars.

Order a Custom Design

Some people prefer wine cellars to be small and efficient, while others gravitate toward more elaborate designs that include spaces for additional decor. Many homeowners choose to intersperse their wine shelves with granite countertops on which to display bottles, books and art. Since every wine cellar is unique in terms of its square footage and layout, you'll want to collaborate with a designer who has experience creating custom cellars.

The wine cellar at 11222 Chalon Road, Los Angeles, CA 90049 (Image courtesy of Joyce Rey)

Think About Your Door

While glass doors on wine cellars can be impressive (they give you a chance to showcase your collection to guests), think carefully about the door you attach to your cellar. Glass doors should be thick and (at least 10 millimeters) have a quality seal around their frame.

Regulate Temperature and Humidity

A good wine cellar regulator unit will control not only the temperature of your cellar, but also the humidity. The going numbers tend to be 55 degrees with 70 percent humidity. An air conditioner and humidifier will not work, as they only kick in once temperatures and humidity levels drop or rise away from a certain point. A professional-grade wine cellar cooling unit is a must.

Add Lighting

Finally, if it matches your style, add some pizzazz to your cellar with recessed lighting and perhaps a chandelier. Not only do these touches set the space apart, they make it extra pleasant for you to enjoy while selecting your next bottle of vino. Cheers!

Top image of the wine cellar at  357 West 17th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan, NY 10011 (courtesy of Tomer Fridman)

The post What You Need To Know Before Installing A Wine Cellar appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Slated for completion in fall 2018, the private residences at Calistoga offer the quintessential Napa Valley lifestyle – balmy weather, vast skies and undulating hills of vineyards. While the two-, three- and four-bedroom homes astound with their contemporary design, it is the opportunity to create your own vino that is truly remarkable.

Residents will have access to the resort’s winery, which renowned winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown is to head. Under Brown’s guidance in every step of the process –from harvesting to fermenting to bottling, homeowners will be able to produce their proprietary blends. To enhance the experience, individual wine storage, a wine room and a tasting room will be exclusive accessible to residence owners.

While residents can delve into the ancient craft of winemaking, they will for sure enjoy the spoils of contemporary luxury. Designed by St. Helena-based firm, Erin Martin Interior Design, the residences boast disparate furnishing options – united by the casual Napa Valley elegance and the unique signature of Four Seasons – that buyers can choose from.

Rendered in warm earthly tones and materials, each home is to carry a price tag starting at $3.5 million, and come with amenities like spa, indoor and outdoor fitness center and proximity to the 470mile Vine Trail.

Renderings courtesy of C&R Communications

The post At Four Season Resort And Private Residences Napa Valley, You Can Own A Home And A Wine Blend appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.