Elegant European Manor

AUCTION: BID 15–29 AUGUST. Listed for $11.9M. Starting Bids Expected Between $3.2M–$5.25M.

This sophisticated gated European estate sits on seven sprawling acres of land between Berkley and Walnut Creek, offering breathtaking valley views. Completely rebuilt in 2011, the main home boasts exceptional craftsmanship using only the highest end materials. Contemporary simplicity blends with classic old-world details including a mirrored dining wall and luxurious fireplaces. Built in the French-style, discover an immaculate interior with abundant natural light, high ceilings, and wood and stone flooring. Enjoy a gourmet kitchen with custom cabinetry, a Carrara marble island, professional-grade appliances, and a butler’s pantry. The primary suite boasts a gorgeous ensuite bathroom with a spacious dressing area, steam shower and soaking tub with a view. The sprawling grounds include a heated saltwater pool, covered loggia with an outdoor kitchen, and guest house. Curl up in the living area with a good book, or take a glass of wine on the terrace while enjoying views of Mt. Diablo.

Call Concierge Auctions at 646.760.8109 or visit conciergeauctions.com for details.  

• 11,946± main house sq ft + 1079± sq ft for the guest house for a total 13,025± sq ft
• 7.09± acres
• 8 bedrooms total: one downstairs bedroom en-suite, 6 bedrooms upstairs, and 1 bedroom in the guest house
• 7 full bathrooms: 6 in the main house, 3 half baths in main house, and 1 full bath in guest house
• Custom Millwork and moldings throughout house
• Custom bathroom vanities throughout
• Custom cabinetry: Sandra Brown, designer
• Walnut hardwood flooring
• Private, serene gated estate
• Solid core doors throughout
• Whole house Generac natural gas generator
• Savant home smart system
• Lutron light system
• Level 5 smooth walls
• Surround sound throughout house: outside on terrace near loggia and outside of exercise room
• Added insulation in between walls to reduce sound transfer between rooms
• Every room is hard-wired for increased internet speed, including the second office
• Custom bathroom vanities throughout house
• Six fireplaces inside property: one of which is woodburning and the rest are gas. Two reclaimed antique fireplace mantles.
• Temperature sensors on walls
• Sprinkler system installed
• Central Vac system
• All outlets are on baseboards so as not to distract from overall aesthetics of the smooth walls
• 2 EBMUD water meters: one for the main house and one for irrigation
• Bouvet hardware, finials on hinges
• Designer wallpaper
• Two whole house fans (with remotes for operation)
• Two staircases

Entry:

• Front doors are arched custom walnut
• Chandelier is on an automatic lift for ease of servicing

Living Room:

• Sonance invisible speakers so as not to distract from the overall aesthetics of the ceilings
• Tennessee Limestone terrace outside living room with unobstructed views of Mount Diablo
• Fireplace came from an old mansion in San Francisco

Dining Room:

• Sonance invisible speakers so as not to distract from the overall aesthetics of the ceilings
• Custom antiqued mirrored wall
• French doors to access back terrace

Executive Office:

• Extensive built-in custom cabinetry and gas fireplace: hard wired into communications room with back up internet
• Custom hand carved Alabaster pendant

Exercise Room:

• Mirrored wall
• Full bath (could be another full bedroom en-suite if needed) and mini fridge
• French doors with access to back covered porch

Kitchen:

• Carrera marble island in kitchen– not only countertop but entire island was custom designed all with Carrera marble
• Two additional beverage drawers, warming drawer, Wolf ovens, Viking cooktop 6 burners and griddle, wine fridge in separate walk-in pantry, instant hot water, and two dishwashing machines
• White Brass hardware. Francois & Co. custom hood.
• Large eat-in area adjacent to additional storage/built-ins area with pocket doors

Great Room:

• Otherwise known as the “hearth” room – wood burning fireplace
• Chandelier is on an automated lift for ease of servicing

Family Room:

• Distressed beams
• Gas fireplace with custom mantle
• Bar area: undercounter refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher
• Custom built-in shelving and cabinetry

Wine Room:

• Reclaimed oak from a dairy farm in Missouri 120 years old
• Holds approximately 690 bottles

Game Room & Separate Study:

• Custom built-in shelving
• Spacious walk-in closets for storage
• French doors with access to back terrace
• Secondary “work from home” space or large group study room

Laundry Rooms:

• Two laundry facilities: one downstairs near guest room and larger room upstairs with 2 sets of machines: total of 3 washers & dryers
• Custom cabinetry and shelving; including hanging bar for clothes

Primary Bedroom/Bathroom:

• Large walk-in cedar closet plus separate dressing area with additional storage for clothing
• French doors with access to balcony overlooking Mount Diablo
• Gas fireplace
• Primary bath: heated floors, steam shower, and custom vanities. Polished Nickel fixtures.
• Bath: heated floors, steam shower, and custom vanities. Polished nickel fixtures

Outdoor Features:

• Outdoor loggia covered kitchen area with reclaimed Oak from a dairy farm in Missouri almost 120 years old
• BBQ with rotisserie, full size refrigerator, warming drawer
• Bar top is made of copper that has been treated
• Outdoor covered loggia with living room area: custom chandelier, heaters, and custom sconces
• Separate fireplace seating area near pool
• Multiple olive trees: 36 in total and 12 fruiting olives
• Multiple fruit trees: Meyer lemon, orange, pomegranate, fig, pear, and apricot trees
• Close to 400 lavender plants around property
• Producing vineyard: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Bordeaux grapes, and Pinot Noir (Judd Hill winery on Silverado Trail makes the wine). Almost 700 grape vines in total. Makes 2 barrels of wine (over 600 bottles) annually if you choose to harvest.
• 4 bee hives
• Slate roof
• Copper gutters
• French drain behind house – Goes from one edge of the redwood trees all along the ridge to approximately the edge of the Pinot Noir (upper) vineyard.
• Well for irrigation on property (not sure if operational, sellers have never used it)
• Saltwater pool and spa
• New safety automated pool cover
• Outdoor shower
• Recreation area: with bocce court, expansive flat grassy area, and separate firepit
• Meandering decomposed granite paths around property
• Main sewer line was replaced when property was built in 2011
• All patios and terraces are Tennessee Limestone
• Complete privacy
• Additional parking inlet down near recreation area
• Cutting garden and kitchen garden
• Bioswale installed at bottom of property: designed to concentrate and convey stormwater runoff while removing debris and pollution

Guest House:

• 1079± sq ft with one bedroom, living room area, dining room area, full bath, and plumbed for washer and dryer
• Separate entrance and plenty of parking
• 1079± sq ft is included in overall 13,025± sq ft

Other Interesting Details:

• European manor with current top-of-the-line modern amenities, and finishes throughout – no expense spared
• 5-car garage – with IT room, and two other smaller rooms with additional storage and shelving
• Fireplace in the living room – came from an old mansion in San Francisco
• Entry way chandelier & Hearth room chandelier are on automatic lifts for ease of servicing
• Dutch door to the back loggia area
• Loggia bathroom counter top is soapstone and has heated floors
• Outside fireplace is Rumford – wood burning with a gas log inset
• Entire home is Fuel-Cell ready: electrochemical cell used for primary or backup power generation
• Cost for upkeep of vineyard: $1725 per quarter + cost of harvesting ($500) + delivery of wine (approximately $200). Harvest of wine is done every other year.
• Fireplaces inside house are from Town & Country
• Format of house is pretty much the same as the old house
• Sandra Brown, designer, helped with custom cabinetry
• Piano is programmed to play through built-in speakers if you wish
• All lanterns and sconces are custom made from Murray Iron Works
• All irrigation was replaced when house was re-built
• Fireproof room – “Vault” ~ for your most precious valuables
• Tesla Car charger in garage