Recent Vintage
How a Bay Area couple created a romantic Napa estate from scratch.
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The intermingling of old and faux-old is a recurring theme in this plush-but-casual retreat. The library’s rich walnut panels were designed to echo a set of walnut Louis XVI doors, while a multihued turn-of-the-century Languedoc marble fireplace picks up where a dramatic rug leaves off. The master bedroom boasts a variety of 19th-century antiques, including a hand-painted secretary from Italy and a floor-to-ceiling 18th-century limestone mantel from France, both of which coexist well with other contemporary creations.
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The result—by design—is that you are never quite certain which items in the house are new and which are the result of husband-and-wife antiquing expeditions overseas. “Antiquing is the only kind of shopping Don will do. If it’s for clothes or shoes, forget it. So this is a passion we share, and he’s a great negotiator,” says Trish, who notes that her husband’s winning techniques range from keen bargaining to making offers that cannot be refused.
For his part, Don enjoyed being integral to the creation of Oz II (his first
Napa retreat, named Oz for his adoration of The Wizard of Oz, was ceded
in a
divorce, but he wanted the name to live on). “It was a great joint
effort in many ways,” says Don, who in another
joint venture years ago
cofounded the Bank of San Francisco with Charles Schwab.
“We designed
the layout together, picked the furniture. Trish oversaw it all, of course, and
it’s turned out to be
much more than I ever envisioned it to be. We
love entertaining, and what I love
most about the house is that it
works so well on that level. I just love those sliding glass doors,” he says,
referring to the home’s singular showstopper: Four floor-to-ceiling
glass panels
in the living room that disappear into walls to reveal the
pool area, a natural oasis behind which unfold endless and
staggering
valley and vineyard views. Dinner guests enjoy drinks in this setting
from beneath a canopy of heat lamps that warm chilly Napa nights; those
lucky enough to receive an overnight invitation are
ensconced in a
poolside guesthouse. And friends are frequent visitors to this
wine
country estate that artfully blends modern materials and antique gems.
“Being a vintner really is a lifestyle issue first and foremost,” Don says.
“How many people do you know, other than the Gallos of the world, who have made
their fortunes in this business? The answer is zero. So being out here in Napa is really all about trying to
create something beautiful—whether it’s the wine or the house—and sharing it.”
Patricia Hamilton Stephens
415.567.8227
Sandy Walker
Walker & Moody
Architects
415.885.0800
www.walkermoody.com
