Spotlight: Vineyard Communities: Vintage Vacation
Resort communities take root among the vines.
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The Vineyard at Florence Florence, TexasSome people are surprised that the Lone Star State has a thriving wine country. Located just outside of Austin, in what is popularly known as Hill Country, Texas’ 90-mile stretch of some 20 wineries now includes the 600-acre Vineyard at Florence development, the state’s first residential winery. In addition to wine tasting, leisurely pursuits will include horseback riding and nature hikes. The Vineyard at Florence currently has 60 homesites, each with views of the vineyards or the surrounding landscape, which is filled with foliage, waterways, and ancient oak and pecan trees. Residents will also have access to a wine-tasting villa that hosts art exhibits and concerts.
The Ranches at Figueroa Canyon Santa Ynez Valley, California
Locals call it Happy Canyon—an area dotted with ranches and award-winning wineries about 30 miles north of Santa Barbara. One of the happier things about this mountainous landscape, which has drawn much attention since the movie Sideways was released in 2004, is that it is zoned for agricultural uses, which protects it from suburban sprawl. This is exactly what encouraged the developers of the Ranches at Figueroa Canyon to purchase a large tract of cattle land to repurpose as six subdivided vineyard estates.
The vineyards, however, do not yet exist; the hope is that buyers will cultivate their own. The developers say that more than half the land has an excellent rating for wine production. The infrastructure to support a home and guesthouse is in, and wells are in place to provide the future grapes with necessary water. Each of the six ranches will contain a caretaker’s residence, so owners can have a place to stay while designing the main house and vineyards. And although such distinguished architects as Howard Backen and Barry Berkus have been made available to create preliminary designs, buyers are not obligated to use them. Ultimately, it will be up to the owner to envision the land in its next incarnation. Until then, it continues to be grazed by 150 Black Angus cows.
The Lodges at Calistoga Ranch Napa, California
In addition to working the vineyards with winemakers Nils Venge and Kirk Venge, vintner members of Calistoga Ranch’s fractional-ownership lodges can participate in year-round private events at some of Napa’s most celebrated estates, including Chateau Montelena and Far Niente. Some local vintners invite members to be among the first to taste a new release, while others may stage pruning, harvest, or blending parties at their vineyards. On site, Calistoga Ranch conducts wine-pairing classes and dinners within the property’s wine cave.
Fractional-ownership members are guaranteed a minimum of two weeks of use per year of their two-bedroom bungalow lodges and unlimited use depending on availability. Each residence takes full advantage of its surroundings—which, in addition to vineyards, include ancient oaks, a private lake, and rock-hewn streams—with an outdoor living room (complete with a fireplace) and a master bath that opens to an outdoor shower. Non-wine related activities include a variety of programs, such as yoga, photography, poetry writing, and hiking and biking through the region’s famous redwood forests.
Aetna Springs Resort Pope Valley, California
Criswell Radovan, the Saint Helena–based developer of Calistoga Ranch, now has its sights set on restoring the historic Aetna Springs Resort in nearby Pope Valley. The property, which originally opened in 1870 as a hot springs resort and was frequented by the likes of Ronald Reagan during the 1960s, had fallen into disrepair over the last several decades. Today, Criswell Radovan co-owns the 672-acre site with viticulture heavyweights Michael Mondavi and Billy Getty. The idea, says developer Robert Radovan, is to return the property back to its glory days, with craftsman-style cabins (originally designed by renowned northern California architect Bernard Maybeck) in a bucolic yet luxurious resort setting. Only 18 homesites will be available for sale, each with design restrictions that require the new homes to reflect Aetna Springs’ rustic look.
The resort’s 25 acres of vineyards, on-site winery, and
proprietary wine club allow homeowners to choose the level of participation they
wish to have in the winemaking experience. "We have an all-star cast of wine
industry experts, who can either make your private-label wine to specification
or teach you how to make your own," says Radovan. "We can even help you get a
permit so that you can sell your wine." The resort also offers a nine-hole golf
course, which was originally built in 1891 and is thought to be the oldest
course west of the Mississippi. After a complete redesign by Tom Doak, the
course is expected to reopen this summer.
