The Estate
a luxury landscape for luxury events
The Upper & Lower Vineyards
The Vineyard, comprising over an acre and a half of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, cascades down the hillside. Situated on a steep hillside terrain, over 750 vines pay homage to the historical roots of the Santa Cruz Mountain appellation. Its distinct ecosystem with diverse mineral-rich soil has played a pivotal role in the history of California winemaking ever since the 1870s when Paul Masson and Charles Lefranc planted the first vineyards from cuttings transplanted from Burgundy.
The Wine Tasting Patio
Situated adjacent to the site of our wine production is an intimate gravel patio surrounded by hand-stacked rock walls, olive trees, and potted citrus & succulents. It is the perfect setting to sample wines from the area, while taking in the splendor of the vineyards above and the groves behind.
The Olive Patio
Situated near to the wine tasting patio, is a large flagstone patio housing a 20-foot table and matching bench set carved from one large tree trunk. The table is surrounded by fruiting olive trees and a massive built-in stone bench salvaged from a 1700’s french fireplace and reimagined into an elegant seating structure with attached rock garden bed.
The Pond & Flagstone Patios
Surrounding the Reflection Pond are two large flagstone patios. Guests are encouraged to “choose their own adventure” from the various meandering pathways that lead through the grounds over and around the central pond. During Spring and Summer, the pond, with its massive antique French watering trough, puts on a display of colorful water plants, including water lilies and lotus. And if the resident Heron stays at bay, so too do the colorful fish come to play.
The Infinity Pool & Spa
The original Tevis Estate of the 1800’s was known for its opulent ponds and elegant brick pool. In keeping with the tradition of elegance, the Estate boasts two water features built with blue & grey glass that flows (infinitely) into the horizon. At the right vantage point, the pool appears to flow over the lower vineyard and into the lake, creating the image of one connected natural body of water. The intent was for the water features to blend with the natural terrain of the land, instead of compete, as Tevis sought to do with his features in the 1800’s version of the estate.
The Bocce Ball Court
The professional size court was inspired by a trip to Italy where bocce courts were abundant and local neighbors would compete furiously with hyper-focused intensity as part of their daily ritual. In the traditional manor, this court has a base layer of decomposed granite topped with a layer of crushed oyster shells. The court has been lined with salvaged beams and cafe lights that shine brightly throughout the night.
The 'Fair Play Grocery': An Organic Garden
During the pandemic, our family turned to the outdoors, learning to build rock walls, to nurture bee hives, and to plant and harvest our own organic fruits and vegetables. Though we weren’t able to travel far and wide for the most unique and plentiful specimens, as Tevis did for this estate in the 1800’s, we did learn a great deal about the clay soil, the varying weather patterns of the Lexington Hills, and the changing global climate. Today, the lower estate gardens boast over 100 different fruiting trees from Arbequina Olives to variegated pink Eureka Lemons to Fuyu Persimmons. Guests can tour the grounds and enjoy the bounty year round, as different trees come to life and showcase their fruit. During the Spring and Summer, the upper rock beds include a variety of fresh tomatoes, peppers, artichokes, eggplant, herbs, berries, and more. Grab a glass of wine and enjoy over 5 acres of amazing garden vignettes.
The View
In the old adage, "A picture is worth a thousand words."
