Casa Sebastiani

Description

When you stand on the veranda of Casa Sebastiani and gaze out over the vineyards below, you are sharing the experience with generations of the prominent wine family who stood here before you. Built by August and Sylvia Sebastiani in 1947, the property is a leisurely stroll up from the acclaimed winery.

A grove of olive trees and rustic stone walls define the approach and a remarkable profusion of flowering plants create a tapestry of color. Bird of Paradise, trumpet vines and fragrant lavender surround the home, along with numerous fruit trees heavy with succulent oranges, lemons and apples.

The gracious hand-hewn stone home was fashioned after a Tuscan villa with its arched entries, deep porches and expansive terraces. An old-world air of hospitality is apparent in the design and the setting.

The sun-filled terraces and decks that encircle Casa Sebastiani offer views on all sides and the dappled shade of the ancient live oaks beckon for a meditative stop under their tall branches. Large boulders are interspersed with indigenous plants and trees and masses of blooming flowers, creating a natural backdrop for special events.

This is a place that has been connected to a significant part of Sonoma Valley’s history ever since 1904 when Samuele Sebastiani acquired the vineyards of the Franciscan fathers who originally planted them in 1825. From those humble beginnings the winery he founded grew into a name known around the world. Now you can fashion your own bit of history in these splendid surroundings.
A circular walkway leads up to the deep, tiled porch with its stone arches and carved wooden door. Inside a wide entry opens to the expansive living room, which can accommodate a cocktail party or a casual family group. The room features a grand piano and gleaming white marble fireplace; floor to ceiling picture windows frame beautiful scenes of the flowering landscape, bringing in the natural, golden light that warms the vineyards.

The home has recently been redecorated and upgraded throughout, retaining the authentic Italian touches that express its origins. The bedroom off the living area offers a relaxing glimpse of the tranquil scenery. There is a small sitting area and a flatscreen TV and a Dutch door to the outside. The bath has a stone tile shower with tiled bench seat, marble vanity, two closets and privacy windows for plentiful light.

A separate guest suite can be entered from outside or through the kitchen area. Completely remodeled, it has a stone-tiled bath, bedroom and views of the stately oaks. Upstairs on the second floor are three bedrooms: a large master suite with a floor-to-ceiling window for private views of the soaring shade trees, and doors that open to a sleeping porch where you can lounge in the shade on a summer afternoon. A marble dressing table area connects to the bath where there is a tub, shower and separate toilet.

Down the hall are two bedrooms, one with a queen bed and one with two queen beds. Each room has views of the vineyards and access to a veranda with an ornate wrought iron railing that runs the length of the house and provides time for quiet contemplation. A shared bath with shower over tub and a toilet separates the two rooms.

The kitchen, always the heart of a home, is where Sylvia Sebastiani tried out her recipes for the scrumptious sauces and hearty Italian meals that are included in her popular cookbook, Mangiamo! Let’s Eat. Newly upgraded for today’s cooks with granite counters and tile floors, the kitchen has marvelous vistas of the fruit trees and vines, and a huge flowering poinsettia with bright red blossoms frames the view. You'll be inspired to try your own pairings with some of the fine local wines around the oak table in the kitchen, or create a splendid meal to enjoy in the formal dining room.

Arched windows and doorways out to the lower veranda are a hallmark of the congenial indoor-outdoor lifestyle treasured by wine country residents. The veranda has a long carved stone table with umbrellas that seats 16 for alfresco dining, and a charming rock bridge takes you to the sparkling turquoise oval pool (not heated).

Beyond the pool is a two-car garage, and a short stroll down the hill brings you to a guest cottage. The rustic, natural wood-paneled cottage has a living area, a small kitchen and a large, appealing bedroom that faces the vineyards. Doors open to a wooden deck that wraps around the house and creates a delightful private guest getaway experience.

Casa Sebastiani is a most welcoming place, embodying the generous spirit of the legendary pioneers of California’s premium wine industry that built this home. It's a place where you will want to welcome your friends and family and create new traditions of your own.