Vineyard Estate In The Sonoma Hills

Situated at the base of Sonoma Mountain, the 140-acre estate includes a main residence, a guesthouse, a barn, sculpture gardens, and an orchard, in addition to 60 acres of vineyard. All building and landscape elements are strategically sited to enable the harmonious coexistence of day-to-day operations of the vineyard and rural domestic life. It’s a design by aidlin darling design lead by Joshua Aidlin and David Darling.photo: Ben Tanner

The design of the buildings at the Vineyard Estate themselves was intended to quietly reciprocate the complexities of site and program, enhance the relationship of indoor and outdoor space, and capture a serene spirit of place. Each building is discretely woven into the surrounding landscape while providing access to the site’s panoramic view. The main house is tucked beyond the south horizon of the vineyard at the toe of the mountain, with a modest narrow profile to the north and expansive views to the east. The owners sought a seamless blending of their art collection, furnishings, building, and landscape. To this end, the main residence was designed as a series of connected spaces around a loggia and reflecting pool. The linear pool runs due north–south, acting as a primary orientation device among the rolling vine-clad hills. The sequentially measured interior spaces, each with balanced light and tall walls for artwork, unfold cinematically while providing a continual reorientation and connection to the landscape beyond.