ER
N A PA VA L L E Y R E A L E S TAT E
P R OP E R T I ES
A Wine Country Lifestyle Magazine
Cover photo courtesy of Cyndi Gates Gates Estates Sotheby’s International Realty
FEBRUARY 2020 | VOLUME 37, ISSUE 2
Cover property information on page 23
A publication of Napa Valley Publishing Company FEBRUARY 2020
DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES | 1
MAXIMIZE THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME
HIGH-TOUCH, SERVICE-MINDED, AND TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN; OUR REPRESENTATION GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND ALL OTHERS. DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE WITH US.
From streamlined cash-free property preparation, to next level marketing, to our buy-before-selling advantages, to the most off-market options, discover the difference with us. GoldenGateSIR.com | 2 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES
February 2020
45 Hunter Ranch Road, Napa
February 2020
DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES | 3
4447VineyardEstate.com
Calistoga
Modern Vineyard Estate -
Architecture by the renowned Andrew Batey whose designs were inspired by centuries of European classical rural architecture emphasizing symmetry and simplicity, without cliché villa décor. Interiors flow with graceful logic from the front entrance to the calm, expansive rooms, and on to the terraces. Sited on a sun-struck knoll on 18+ acres surrounded by prime mountain Cabernet vineyards, this light-filled hillside home offers a wonderful sense of seclusion w/360’ views in every direction. Easy access to Hwy 29, a rare chance to create an ultimate winery estate compound near Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury resorts, and award winning wineries.
$6,900,000
90NapaRanch.com
Napa
Modern Contemporary Ranch -
Immaculate 20-acre modern contemporary ranch positioned for supreme privacy with panoramic 360’ views. This magnificent ridgetop retreat offers luxurious resort-worthy amenities and upgrades throughout. Exceptional style & character are clearly evident in every aspect of this impeccable residence. Immerse yourself in the comfort of this resort-like estate with exquisitely landscaped grounds, beautiful pool, fire pit, and sitting areas along the garden paths. Enjoy the peace and serene environment as well as the close proximity to Napa Valley fine dining & wineries – approx. 20 minutes to Silverado Country Club and 10 minutes to Hwy 80.
$1,999,000
Local Experts
Innovative Global Marketing YVONNE RICH Exclusive Estates 4 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES
fabulousnapavalley.com February 2020
St. Helena
2900SpringMountain.com GRAND NAPA VALLEY WINE ESTATE -
Seize the opportunity to acquire a beautiful grand Napa Valley estate on nearly 40 acres with 6 acres of double planted premium mountain Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard along with a highly rated Napa Valley wine brand receiving accolades of 95-97 point ratings and private & serene 2.25 acre knoll building parcel with panoramic 360’ views. Ultimate Napa Valley dream winery estate.
$29,800,000
YVONNE RICH 707-968-9888 yvonne@fabulousnapavalley.com 1338 MAIN STREET
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CA
BRE#01045780 DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES | 5
1325Crestmont.com
Angwin
Supreme Setting with Serene Views - Contemporary style home on nearly 4 acres is uniquely positioned for supreme
privacy with spectacular Napa Valley views - a tranquil setting & breathtaking visual paradise minutes from downtown St. Helena & Meadowood Country Club. Exceptional style & character are evident in every aspect of this remodeled home. A glass-walled living room w/floor-to-ceiling fireplace, open beam ceilings, library/office, recreation room, exercise room, home audio system & master suite w/stunning views. The oenophile will appreciate the wine cellar and an upscale professional kitchen with commercial-grade appliances to simplify entertaining. Secluded estate is the entertainer’s dream destination!
$1,595,000
1362Stockton.com
St. Helena
St. Helena Farmhouse -
A distinguished circa 1912 single-story farmhouse located on one of the most coveted streets on the west side of St. Helena. Stockton Street is loved for its close location to downtown and known for its elegantly restored homes. A graceful vintage home that abounds with personality - full of old-world charm, character, & modern updates. An inviting front porch, high ceilings, wood floors throughout, elegant living room with high windows, formal dining room, spacious country kitchen, sunny breakfast nook, & the grounds have matured trees & seasonal flowers. Unprecedented location, just three blocks from downtown St. Helena.
$2,100,000
Local Experts
Innovative Global Marketing YVONNE RICH Exclusive Estates 6 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES
fabulousnapavalley.com February 2020
3051CalistogaRetreat.com
Calistoga
Calistoga Country Retreat - Perfectly
positioned at the apex of nearly 2 acres with views of vineyards & the magnificent Palisades mountains, this artfully remodeled home offers the feel of true country living while being less than 5 minutes from downtown Calistoga. Embraced by natural stone walls, this light & airy home expresses contemporary style with serene & pastoral views from every room. An enchanting front courtyard with fire pit, dramatic great room, walls of French doors, high vaulted ceilings, fireplace, luxurious bathrooms, and spacious wrap-around deck. This home truly defines the indoor/outdoor lifestyle of Napa Valley. A beautiful setting with the promise of even greater potential.
$1,275,000
TuscanNapaValley.com
Calistoga
Tuscan Country Estate -
Tuscan style country estate tastefully renovated on 5+ acres with unobstructed views of vineyards & mountains. This estate was designed by local architect, Mary Sikes, for indoor/outdoor lifestyle capturing warmth, comfort, along with elegance and modern sophistication. An entertainer’s dream with a great room with soaring ceilings & fireplace, plastered walls, beautiful wood floors, French doors throughout, upscale eat-in gourmet kitchen, wine cellar, recreation/exercise room and the master suite opens to a beautiful stone-walled courtyard with magnificent stone fireplace. Alfresco living at its best with a spacious terrace and outdoor built-in BBQ.
$1,800,000
YVONNE RICH 707-968-9888 yvonne@fabulousnapavalley.com 1338 MAIN STREET
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ST. HELENA
CA
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In this issue
24
11
Shaping our future with computer assistance
14
Chris D. Craiker: Developing the future of Construction
15
How living with AI can improve your daily life
18
Hot bathroom trends for 2020
24
Bringing the indoors out
28 Burt Polson: The bloated gas station and getting the ‘boot’ 29 Calamine pink, or Dead Salmon? What’s behind paint names 32
From Bauhaus to your house: 100 Years of modern architecture
34 Chris Salese: Kickstart your equity 36 Til decor do us part? How couples can decorate together 39 Extreme weather has gardeners looking for resilient plants 42 Le Paris Cafe opens in Napa
FEBRUARY 2020
DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES
42
42
44 Napa Valley’s Hesperian wine follows its own star To advertise in Distinctive Properties or any Napa Valley Publishing outlet, contact Randy Dowis at RDowis@napanews.com.
D
istinctive Properties provides print and digital platforms for Napa Valley real estate and real estate related advertising. We feature property listings, open houses, articles and more in our magazine, newspaper sections, on our website and on our social media pages. NapaValleyRegister.com/homes
EDITOR & DIRECTOR OF SALES Norma Kostecka 707-256-2228 nkostecka@napanews.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Randy Dowis 707-256-2229 rdowis@napanews.com
Distinctive Properties - Napa Valley @DistinctPrperty
PREMIER NAPA VALLEY REAL ESTATE
DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES
©
A Wine Country Lifestyle Magazine
1615 Soscol Avenue, Napa, CA 94559
Distinctive Properties makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. Distinctive Properties is a registered trademark of The Napa Valley Publishing Company.
8 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES
FEBRUARY 2020
Get access to competitive rates and dedicated support from industry-leading lenders, with the exclusive option to get up to six months of your loan payments fronted when you sell your home with a Compass agent.
Julie Larsen www.JulieLarsen.com DRE 01194150 707.260.4663 julie.larsen@compass.com
February 2020
DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES | 9
Find Your Napa Valley
Dream Home
NapaValleyRegister.com/homes
The 3 pillars of
AI
BRANDPOINT
Shaping our future with computer assistance
A
and offer useful maintenance tips to keep appliances performing their best. Proactive Customer Care will run an installation report to give owners the confidence that their home appliances are operating at their best, right from the start. It also will send timely maintenance notifications based on customers’ specific usage. With Proactive Customer Care, owners can also potentially avoid inconvenient service appointments by following simple instructions from LG’s advanced care team. As the service expands, it will be able to expedite repairs with the ability for LG to call customers to schedule the right technician as soon as an issue is identified.
rtificial intelligence (AI) is impacting everyone’s lives more and more. The latest technology increasingly helps daily tasks and routines become simpler, leaving consumers with more time to spend on other priorities. What do you want from the AI-powered devices and systems in your life? A core set of elements drives AI, enabling products to be smarter and more responsive, with one goal: improving consumers’ overall quality of life. Here are a few recent inno- ADAPTIVE—AI USES DEEP vations that showcase AI in LEARNING TO PREDICT action today: PREFERENCES AND ADAPT TO CIRCUMSTANCES P R O A C T I V E — A I With AI, smart products can ANTICIPATES PROBLEMS learn consumer preferences and LG Electronics has developed respond to surroundings to provide an advanced AI customer service superior performance. solution called Proactive Customer The new 2020 LG OLED TVs Care to provide personalized cus- use AI to combine deep learning tomer support for smart appliances. with an extensive database of visual Designed to help users get the most information, allowing its advanced out of their appliances, LG Proac(Alpha) 9 Gen 3 AI processor to tive Customer Care can imme- optimize images. These TVs can diately alert owners of select LG recognize the source quality and smart appliance models to potential implement the best algorithm to problems before they occur, expe- display a stunningly realistic image. dite repairs when they are needed, AI helps analyze the room’s lighting FEBRUARY 2020
conditions, selecting the best screen brightness level and contrast. Users can even let the TV set the perfect sound levels based on its positioning in the room. These LG Smart TVs use a webOS link to deliver a world of premium content, from news and sports to any kind of entertainment you’re looking for, including streaming services and web content. Connected to LG’s ThinQ, the newest TVs also include Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, allowing users to activate and manage their compatible smart home devices and ask questions with voice commands. ThinQ uses AI to give consumers recommendations on TV programs, channels and apps based on customer usage patterns. LG’s new premium sound bars will feature AI Room Calibration, which optimizes sound by automatically tailoring output to the specific characteristics of the room. These advanced models are self-calibrating, able to recognize and analyze tones to accurately assess the dimensions of a given space and adjust accordingly. REACTIVE—AI CAN QUICKLY CHANGE AND ADJUST TO CONDITIONS AND USER REQUIREMENTS AI can work within parameters set by the user of the product, reacting to last-minute (or last-second) adjustments and offering
alternatives to solve problems or respond to consumer requirements. This reactive quality is on full display with the newest LG G8X ThinQ and LG Dual Screen, complete with its 32MP front-facing camera. The AI Action Shot feature in the camera recognizes and compensates for movement with a shutter speed of 1/480 of a second, to keep subjects in focus even while in action. The camera uses its database of scenes and situations to optimize whatever photo you’re taking. It has the ability to recognize when you’re taking a photo in low light, or what your photo’s subject is. The camera will even take two photos to provide an alternative option, offering a cropped photo zooming in on the primary subject of your picture. For the immersive dual screen experience on the phone, the ambient light sensor automatically adjusts the contrast to maximize image details and reduce eye strain. While artificial intelligence may seem mysterious, even to those who use its products and services daily, AI is helping companies achieve one primary goal: providing solutions that make life easier for consumers. The best AI products are almost invisible to users—but those users certainly reap the benefits. To learn more about how AI enhances and helps manage your LG appliances, electronics and smartphones, visit LG.com. DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES | 11
CALISTOGA Old Faithful Geyser
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Calistoga Realty 707-942-9422 1473-C LINCOLN AVENUE CALISTOGA, CA 94515
Live in A DesireAbLe CAListogA neighborhooD
S
unny 3-bedroom, 2 bath, single story home with a great floor plan and professionally landscaped yard. Inviting living room with vaulted ceiling, built in bookshelves, formal dining room and family room w/fireplace. Kitchen opens to breakfast nook overlooking a private backyard. Close to downtown, and golf course. $895,000
beAutifuL bALe LAne LoCAtion
T
his 1.59 acre site offers a 3320 square foot custom farmhouse constructed in 1997, a large (3880 square foot) two story barn/workshop, the old original 889 sq. ft. home which needs rehab but could be a great guest house, all surrounded by vineyards and large estate properties. Call for pricing and details. $2,500,000
beAutifuL buiLDing site
O
n this Oak studded 14+ acre property with views of neighboring hills. This quiet, peaceful property is located in Sonoma County and a short drive to downtown Calistoga or Santa Rosa. Approximately 3 acres of usable and the remainder is hillside. $795,000
Looking to buiLD
B
eautiful level building site affording panoramic valley views looking at the Palisades, Calistoga, down valley and across Bennett Lane to the Western hills. Old survey on file, well report - 6.5 gpm appears limited by pump size per report, perc test on file. Sellers are currently working on the driveway to meet new Napa County standards. Room for a hobby vineyard.This parcel is located just 1/2-mile past Tubbs Lane just above Chateau Montelena $795,000
eAsy Living
O
n the inviting front porch of this charming 2-bedroom, 2 bath home in Rancho de Calistoga. Upgraded kitchen appliances, kitchen island, light bright rooms, and ready to move into and start enjoying Calistoga. $175,000
Sharon Carone, Broker February 2020
Darlene Brissard, Realtor
QuAint Country CottAge
o
n a 1+ acre parcel situated in the Foothills above Hwy 128 between Tubbs Lane and Bennett Lane. Views towards the Palisades. Updated kitchen, bonus room in the basement with an extra bathroom. Perfect weekend retreat just located within minutes to downtown Calistoga. Use your imagination. With some additional tree trimming you could enhance the views. $655,000
Brian Durnian, Broker
Ziggy Gutierrez, Realtor DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES | 13
Dreamstime
ROBOTS
ON THE BUILDING SITE Developing the future of construction
B
oth science fiction and building visionaries have anticipated robots as integral to the future of housing. In today’s world of chronic labor shortages and complex construction requirements, robots and automated systems are finally making inroads into the building industry. The Robotic Revolution is the next generation. Universities have for years predicted robots use for limited tasks. Now the potential to lower construction costs and improve efficiency for highly repetitive tasks becomes extremely enticing. The robotic MULE (Material Unit Lift Enhancer) was used in Illinois to lay over 1,000,000 feet of brick and foundation blocks for a multistory building. This could be excellent opportunities for not only the construction industry, but it opens huge industrial investments potential. Already companies such as EKSO Bionics and Boston Dynamics are active in the research and development of new robotic equipment. The international construction market could reach $10.5 trillion a year by 2023, according to researchandmarketing. com, and robotics will be a major player. How robotics will interface with residential construction is the big challenge. A major question is whether our current construction labor shortage is short term or will ever catch up with the demand. There’s no question that humans are far better 14 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES
CHRIS D CRAIKER AIA/NCARB at making judgment calls and instantaneous solutions. Here are some construction robotic advantages: 1. Automated pre-site building products and equipment: traditional construction activities can be factory handled for more than just assembling walls. 2. Efficient construction practices: timely and precise building material delivery; constant mechanized clean-up; significant construction waste reduction and higher efficient precision construction. 3. Providing essential services for critically lost jobs: According to the World Economic Forum, the recession cost 5 million construction jobs that probably won’t return, however 400,000 jobs will be created in architecture and engineering to work with the robotic revolution. 4. Remote assembly: the dream of 3-D printers producing buildings remotely is still infant. The possibilities and cost effectiveness could be staggering. 5. Quality assurance: computers have already proven they can reduce human error and improve speed and repetitive tasks. Simple processes such as brick laying, finish floor installations, painting or stucco work can easily be provided by robots. One major mission will be finding the intersection between human skills and robotic construction functional abilities. The future will be bringing the best talents of both humans and mechanics together
to build a better world. The construction industry has an obsessive distain for automation for fear of losing jobs, but all these innovations will need humans in order to operate effectively. This is the most dangerous business with almost 1,000 workplace fatalities per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Combined with skilled labor shortages and you have an industry that needs innovation and new thinking in pretty much every aspect. Construction robots will be controlled online, use GPS and gyroscopic technology to navigate on pre-programmed pathways and conduct repetitive tasks. Robots don’t get tired, burned-out, bored or have family issues or distractions. That alone is worth the cost and resources to implement robotics. Robbie Robot of “Lost in Space” may not build your next house but it might paint, clean up the mess, install sheet rock or deliver the goods to save time, energy and costs. A brave new world is here now. Chris d Craiker AIA/NCARB has been swinging a hammer and pouring concrete for over 50 years. Chris d Craiker AIA is a prominent Bay Area architect with over 40 years patching up shaky marriages and challenging renovations. For a CSI form or more information, call 707.224.5060 or e-mail: info@craiker.com. February 2020
Brave
new
world How living with AI can improve your daily life
T
hese days, AI—artificial intelligence—has become a household name, mostly because so many household gadgets and appliances use it. What’s the impact of AI becoming part of your everyday life? Ultimately, it’s about convenience. Many tasks are getting easier, products are more efficient and AI is enhancing daily lives in unexpected ways. Here are some recent AI advances that may be improving your life. APPLIANCES THAT CAN THINK AND LEARN You may not have expected laundry machines to be among the major appliances to use AI, but it’s true—the latest innovations in washers and dryers allow consumers more freedom in controlling their machines, and help those machines apply more precision in how they handle different types of clothing. For example, LG Electronics introduced an AI-powered TurboWash 360 Front-Load Washer/Dryer Pair. The Ultra Large-Capacity washer assesses fabric type, weight and softness to choose the best washing motions for a superb clean. The advanced spinning algorithm measures load size to minimize vibrations, noise and spin time. LG’s userfriendly ezDispense feature takes the guesswork out of detergent dosage by automatically adding the exact amount of detergent and fabric softener needed for each load. Because the washer and dryer both utilize AI to learn from usage patterns over time, settings continually optimize for the best results. The machines are also Wi-Fi connected, so you can control the units or monitor cycle times remotely using ThinQ-enabled smartphones or voice commands via February 2020
Brandpoint
BRANDPOINT Amazon Alexa. When the washer is synced with your Amazon account, it can reorder detergent before you run out. ENHANCED ENTERTAINMENT PLATFORMS Just a few years ago, TVs couldn’t perform half the functions they can today. Using ThinQ AI and powered by the Gen 3 AI processor, the latest LG OLED TVs bring picture and sound quality to a whole new level—and are used for much more than watching shows. These TVs apply a deep learning algorithm to recognize content source quality, then determine the best method for optimal picture quality among four genres: movie, sports, standard and animation. The new processor finely adjusts the picture, taking into account the room’s ambient conditions to offer the best levels of screen brightness and contrast, using its understanding of how the human eye perceives images. What’s more, the processor’s AI Picture Pro is capable of recognizing faces and text on screen, fine-tuning and sharpening each to produce more natural skin tones, well-defined facial features and clearer, more readable characters. Even sound is enhanced by the intelligent algorithm, which can mix two-channel audio to deliver convincing surround sound. Thanks to LG’s AI Sound Pro, LG OLED TVs analyze and classify the audio of content among five categories—music, movies, sports, drama or news—for clearer voices and richer, more textured background sound. The latest lineup of TVs also matches perfectly with LG’s stylish 2020 sound bars, which are future-proofed to help you create seamless visual harmony in any room. These advanced models are self-calibrating, able to recognize and analyze tones to accurately
assess the dimensions of a given space and adjust accordingly. With ThinQ and a built-in connection to Google Assistant and Alexa Amazon, you can use your TV to control other compatible devices and appliances, search the web— and even order pizza without pausing the movie you’re watching!
ADVANCED MOBILE COMMUNICATION What could be better than experiencing LG OLED TV technology in your home? How about holding it in your hand? Using LG’s latest LG V50 ThinQ 5G smartphone, you can enjoy LG OLED quality display on demand, with striking clarity and vibrant color. The ability to communicate, record and enjoy pictures and videos, plus livestreaming shows and movies on-the-go has reached new levels of speed and quality, especially with the revolutionary new 5G connectivity. You can also use its five cameras to create and share high-quality content. With three rear cameras and two front cameras, you can capture truly original selfies, pictures and videos with rich detail. Artificial intelligence may still sound like science fiction, but the truth is, everyone is using it more and more each day. AI technology is helping people perform tasks and enhancing everyday life in so many ways—and there’s no telling what the future may bring. DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES | 15
ST. HELENA G
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ST. HELENA REAL ESTATE NAPA VALLEY I SONOMA
CALIFORNIA PROVENCAL ESTATE
NAPA VALLEY INDUSTRIAL FARMHOUSE A newly constructed, unparalleled estate perched on 10.93 +/- private acres with sweeping views. 6 total bedroom suites. ST. HELENA
I
$16,950,000 I 861CONNVALLEY.COM
Designed by architect Robert A.M Stern. 23.92 +/- acres offering a main residence, guest house, tennis court & sweeping valley views. OAKVILLE
I
$13,495,000
I
1494WALNUT.COM
MATT BJORNER 310.528.1768 I Mbjorner@gmail.com
BARRY BERKOWITZ 707.529.7406 I Barry@winestates.com
CALISTOGA MODERN ESTATE RANCH
ONE LANE BRIDGE VINEYARD RANCH
Enchan�ng private estate on 21.62 +/- acres. Features a main residence, pool / entertainment house & guest house with bocce court.
22 Acre ranch estate in the Western foothills of Napa. 11.06 +/- acres planted to premium Cabernet Sauvignon. Mount Veeder AVA.
CALISTOGA
I
$5,495,000
I
CALISTOGACOMPOUND.COM
MATT BJORNER Mbjorner@gmail.com
NAPA I $8,750,000 I ONELANEBRIDGEVINEYARD.COM
JACQUELINE WESSEL 707.738.7338 I Jacquelinenapavalley@gmail.com
MICHELLE WAGNER 707.637.3465 I Michelle.m.wagner78@gmail.com
NEWLY REBUILT CALISTOGA COMPOUND
CALIFORNIA CONTEMPORARY CRAFTSMAN
Excep�onal single-level main residence with one a�ached bedroom unit and two newly-constructed co�ages. B&B License. CALISTOGA
I $3,150,000
I
1503LAKE.COM
CALISTOGA
JACQUELINE WESSEL 707.738.7338 I Jacquelinenapavalley@gmail.com STHELENAREALESTATE.COM 1346 Main Street , St. Helena, CA I 707.967.9570 February 2020
I
Brand new 3 bedroom residence on 4.95± acres . Designed for the Napa Valley lifestyle and located minutes to downtown Calistoga. I
$1,990,000 I 957PETRIFIED.COM
GAIL MORGAN LANE 707.291.0156 Gail@winestates.com
MATT BJORNER MBjorner@gmail.com
LIC# 01026604 DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES | 17
trends for Hot bathroom
2020 BRANDPOINT
A dding or remodeling a bathroom is a popular home improvement project in 2020. Whether it’s a simple powder room, a useful three-quarter or a grand master bath, it’s worthwhile to research the top trends so you can create a space that is functional while also increasing your home’s overall value. Sensational showers: When it comes to bathing options, showers are the focus. For instance, four in five homeowners upgrade the shower during a master bathroom renovation (83%) and over half increase the shower size (54%), found the most recent U.S. Houzz Bathrooms Trends Study. Some homeowners are eliminating the tub altogether, adding multiple showerheads and steam features for maximum relaxation. Unique locations: A homeowner’s bathroom location desires are no longer limited to the property’s existing plumbing and drainage systems. Saniflo technologies use above-floor plumbing with features such as a macerating toilet and drain pumps that can be hidden in closets or behind walls. This means previously impossible spaces—such as in garages, pool houses and attics—can now be transformed into stunning bathrooms. The Saniaccess3 is a smart choice for full baths, and the Saniaccess2 is ideal for powder rooms. Freestanding tubs: For those homeowners who still enjoy a good soak, say goodbye to jetted tubs with apron surrounds. Freestanding tubs are the ultimate 18 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES
in luxurious bathing, providing a focal point that draws the eye in any bathroom while also creating an airy feeling in the space. If a homeowner wants to install a freestanding tub where no drainage currently exists, a Saniflo system is an affordable way to complete the project in less time. Learn more at www. saniflo.com. Color and styles: After avoiding white color palettes for some time, white on white is back in 2020, offering a clean look with sleek appeal. Mixed materials are often used to add visual interest, such as a tasteful blend of wood and metallics in the vanity or hardware choices. Contemporary styles with clean lines and open spaces are key characteristics of the modern bathroom. When a splash of color is called for, blues dominate the cool tones and salmons often infuse warm hues. Vanities and tops: Vanities vary in size and shape depending on space. Designs tend to be modern or transitional, with elements of interest such as sliding doors that mimic the barndoor trend. Floating vanities are favored, adding an upscale feel that opens the space. Vanity tops are made from a host of materials: as granite loses steam, quartz, marble and concrete are increasing in popularity. Finally, when space allows in a master bath, double sinks are a must. Flooring: Ceramic and porcelain tile is often the choice for the modern homeowner who can customize tile with any design they want. Large tiles are
Brandpoint photos
less desired, with smaller mosaic options a common choice for personalization. For those who feel tile is too hard or cold, engineered vinyl is a leading choice. It can be made to mimic the look of wood surprisingly well, but can handle the moist environment that typically comes from a bathroom. Smart technologies: Technological enhancements have entered virtually all aspects of life, and the bathroom is no exception. This is more than just streaming music to water-resistant speakers. In 2020, more homeowners desire digital shower controls allowing
temperature adjustment and flow of the water through voice commands. For those with the funds, smart toilets open and close by sensor and are self cleaning. Another growing tech trend is chromatherapy—the use of color to enhance and inspire mood—with technologies used to illuminate tubs and shower spaces. Every year brings with it trends in home design. For 2020, the bathroom is a standout space with customizable features that simplify and beautify life. If a bathroom addition or remodel is in your future, keep these ideas top of mind. February 2020
TM
3 Years in a Row!
It’s Customer Appreciation Month!
February 2020
DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES | 19
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INTERNATIONAL REALTY
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8ForresterLane.com
155 Moss Lane
Yountville | $1,695,000 4 bedrooms | 3 baths | 1,876 SF
Napa | $849,000 4 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1,973 SF
Farmhouse style home with vineyard views Open floor plan, spacious master suite Loft style oďŹƒce area upstairs Close to downtown Yountville
Stunning vineyard views behind home Hardwood floors throughout New siding, new roof, new appliances Backyard perfect for al fresco dining
6600YountSt17.com
6468 Washington Street #235
Yountville | $629,000 2 beds | 1 bath | 1,054 SF
Yountville | $495,000 3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1,790 SF
Charming Yountville condo complex Bright, open floor plan Spiral staircase leads upstairs Close to dining, shopping, wine tasting
Beautiful home with vineyard views Vaulted ceilings, newer SS appliances Prime location in 55+ Rancho de Napa Clubhouse, pool, bocce court
Cyndi Gates
Broker Owner 707.333.7770 cyndi@gatesestatessir.com lic.#00711618 22 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES
February 2020
Cover Property
Custom Valley Floor Home
1510 Yountville Cross Road | Yountville Offered at $3,795,000 1510YountvilleCrossRd.com 4 bedrooms | 4 bathrooms 4,000 ± sqare feet | 1.35 ± acres
It’s not often a property this special becomes available in the Yountville area. Located on the eastern valley floor, this single story, one of a kind design embraces the lifestyle of the Napa Valley. Whether you are entertaining on a grand scale, or just relaxing by the pool at sunset with a glass of wine, you will appreciate the design and amenities featured throughout. The open kitchen with stout beams above and double islands lead to the dining area with room for the largest of gatherings. The fabulous arched window in the formal living room perfectly frames the stunning sunset views. The massive new bonus room is ready to accommodate a variety of exciting uses, ranging from a Guest Suite or a second Master Suite, Home Theater, exercise or game room. The gated grounds offer a host of inviting vignettes including a lap pool, outdoor dining space with fireplace, a trellised patio lounge, raised garden beds and many fruit trees located throughout the landscape. A special place indeed.
6550 Washington Street | Yountville, CA 94599 707.944.0888 | gatesestatessir.com Each office is independently owned and operated February 2020
DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES | 23
2020 outdoor living trends BRANDPOINT 2020 outdoor living trends are all about enjoying your backyard alfresco—but with the comfort and ease you expect from your indoor spaces. Today’s outdoor spaces are transforming into an extension of the home. The current outdoor design also takes into account the look and feel of your entire home, including the interior and exterior, building materials and surroundings. CONNECTING WITH NATURE: BIOPHILIC DESIGN Biophilic design is achieved when natural elements are incorporated into the space, helping people feel connected to the natural environment. It creates a calm, tranquil space and reduces stress. Biophilia makes sense for indoor urban environments needing to bring the outdoors in, but how does it work when you’re already outside? Biophilic design for outdoor spaces means integrating natural elements with constructed elements to create a harmonious space. A plant wall or raised garden bed can integrate greenery and pops of color with the built elements of your outdoor space. It also means using natural materials, like wood and stone, to complement the surrounding environment. Create greener, more sustainable spaces to celebrate the environment, which can help encourage pollinators, grow healthy food and forge a cohesive outdoor space. You can also use materials such as Belgard’s permeable pavers, which allow water to drain through the surface, replenishing the soil and aquifers beneath your path, walkway or driveway. MORE THAN JUST A GRILL Today’s homeowners want much more than a grill in the 24 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES
Bringing the
INDOORS
OUT
backyard. With aspirations to cook and entertain guests outdoors with everything the best outdoor kitchen can offer, the possibilities are endless—from grills to cooktops and ovens or even a wine cooler and an outdoor bar. Homeowners also have many options when it comes to the design and price point of their outdoor kitchen. Some may lean toward a grill island, adding prep and storage space to their grilling station, while others might create a full-on outdoor kitchen with a grill, smoker, refrigerator, sink, seating area and more. Either way, homeowners can get a feel for exactly what their space will look like before breaking ground through Belgard’s design resources. The Belgard Design Studio takes a simple sketch, some dimensions and a couple of photos and turns it, using design software, into 3D animations and virtual reality experiences to give homeowners a sense of the finished product in their backyard. SLEEK, MODERN DESIGN While it may seem contrary
to the more organic approach of biophilic design, the contemporary trend toward sleek, modular furniture can enhance your outdoor space. Modular, sectional pieces with clean lines and streamlined design can be arranged and re-arranged to accommodate any natural elements you want to incorporate in your space, or to handle different numbers of guests when entertaining. The minimalist approach to furnishings also allows the natural elements around you to take center stage. MULTIFUNCTIONAL SPACES Whether your home is in an urban area with limited green space, or you want to optimize your outdoor living, get creative: Add vertical planters Hang hammocks for lounging Create built-in seating Build raised garden beds Here’s where some of that modular seating can come in handy, too. Some urban homes make good use of their front porches and yards, instead,
Brandpoint
which invites more neighborhood engagement and a feeling of community. ENTERTAINING BOTH NIGHT AND DAY Regardless of the time of day—or year—you and your family can relax comfortably in your outdoor sanctuary, thanks to modern technology and the latest outdoor installations: LED lighting is installed in a variety of ways. You can install strips of light and/or spotlights, even using multiple colors, to add flair at night. In the harsh sunlight, large umbrellas and movable shade walls or screens can keep your space cool and more comfortable. For cooler climates, an outdoor fireplace provides heat and light for cozy evenings in the yard. Whether you have a straightforward vision for a patio or dream of elaborate outdoor living spaces, these ideas can help you create your oasis. For more information on how you can upgrade your outdoor space, visit Belgard.com. FEBRUARY 2020
DISTINCTIVE ®
PROPERTIES Find us on Facebook
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SELLING NAPA VALLEY
R E A L T O R
4
BEDS
4
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1
1/2 BA
$7,985,000 Napa
45 Hunter Ranch Road Napa Valley vineyard estate located in a private gated setting in coveted Oak Knoll AVA minutes to Yountville and downtown Napa.
5
BEDS
$3,495,000
4
Napa
BATHS
5160 Wild Horse Valley Road Quintessential farmhouse estate in private gated setting on east side of Napa in Coombsville AVA. 3 BD main house with 2 BD/2BA guest house.
4
BEDS
3
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1
1/2 BA
$2,200,000 St. Helena
1560 Silverado Trail Located off the famed Silverado Trail lies a European-inspired Napa Valley estate with a stone clad main house and a 2 bedroom guest house.
5
BEDS
3
BATHS
$5,125,000
1
Napa
1/2 BA
4268 East 3rd Avenue European-inspired home with guest house on 5 acres with high-end cabernet vineyard, rustic barn and 1 BR/1 BA guest house.
4
BEDS
$3,495,000
4
Calistoga
BATHS
1821 Foothill Boulevard Contemporary Napa Valley vineyard estate located in a private gated setting minutes to wine tasting, 5 star dining and world class resorts.
4
BEDS
$1,395,000
3
Napa
BATHS
495 Montgomery Street Mostly single level character home modernized with architectural integrity located in one of downtown Napa’s most coveted neighborhoods.
Jill Levy, REALTOR® Real Estate Agent Lic. #01230055 Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty 780 Trancas Street, Napa, CA 94558 Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty Top Producer - #1 Agent by volume, Wine Country 2019
February 2020
707.479.9612 | J.Levy@ggsir.com NapaHomesAndEstates.com
DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES | 27
REAL ESTATE IN THE NAPA VALLEY
© Photovs | Dreamstime.com
The bloated gas station and getting the ‘boot’
I
love talking with my clients and helping them look at their current challenges more as an opportunity. Below are a couple of problems my clients are currently considering. Getting the boot from a 1031 exchange It was a record year for the 1031 tax-deferred exchange in 2019, and this year looks to be on track for the same. Under Section 1031 of the United States BURT Internal Revenue POLSON Code, a taxpayer may defer recognition of capital gains and related federal income tax liability on the exchange of certain types of property, a process known as a 1031 exchange. However, the election-year offers uncertainty for investment taxation related to the 1031 exchange. Republicans are looking for technical corrections in the law, while Democrats would pursue more 28 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES
substantive changes. A client considering exchanging his strip center into three single-family rental houses was surprised when I told him not to forget about debt reduction boot. Debt reduction boot happens when the taxpayer’s debt on replacement property is less than the debt paid off on the original property. He is considering selling his strip center for $2 million and, as a part of the sale, would pay off his $1 million loan giving him $1 million to use in the purchase of three houses to rent. He is considering houses with a $600,000 price, which would give him a total purchase of $1.8 million for three houses. He would put the $1 million down and finance $800,000. I explained that even though he could exchange into the three houses using all his proceeds from the sale, he does not have the same level of debt and therefore, will have tax consequences. He will end up paying taxes on the $200,000
difference as “mortgage boot.” Selling a gas station without the bloat It may be the new year or perhaps the economy, and the favorable bottom line many small businesses are experiencing, interest in selling businesses is on the rise. A new client contacted me to sell his gas station. He has a price in mind, but I am concerned his value is bloated. Though many similarities exist in valuing and selling businesses, a gas station is set apart in several ways. Like other businesses, an owner first needs to gather financial records for the past three years, which includes audited financial statements and tax returns. Additionally, fuel agreements, franchise agreements, and certificates of compliance or environmental studies are all essential documents as part of a sale of a gas station. Second, gas stations have environmental laws to comply with related to the storage tanks. In California, compliance
with Senate Bill 989 (Senate Bill), Enhanced Vapor Recovery, is a priority. There is also pointof-sale Payment Card Industry compliance to consider. Third, conducting thorough market research to determine other gas stations in the area and their volume, traffic patterns, traffic counts, demographics, visitor/tourist statistics are all part of determining value. Lastly, valuation also depends on whether the gas station is branded or unbranded, if there is a convenience store, maintenance bays, condition of the facility, modernization, number of pumps, and size of the land. Burt M. Polson is the CEO of ACRESinfo.com, a commercial real estate brokerage company and CEO of StoneMarkerInvestments.com, a private equity real estate fund. Call him at 707-254-8000 or email burt@acresinfo.com and burt@stonemarkerinvestments.com. February 2020
Benjamin Moore via AP
Emily Gilbert/Daun Curry via AP
LEFT: A room with Benjamin Moor’es 2020 Color of the Year called First Light, a dreamy, soft shade of pink. RIGHT: Designer Daun Curry says she once had a client choose a paint color called Peace and Happiness because they liked the name. In this child’s room shown here, the color is Farrow & Ball’s Dead Salmon – a popular hue in the company’s palette, albeit with a name that causes some mixed feelings. “Salmon is the colour, and Dead actually refers to the matte paint finish.”
Calamine pink, or
Dead Salmon? What’s behind paint names KIM COOK A ssoc ia ted Pres s E ver wonder how paint colors get their names? If you’re shopping for pink, say, you’ll find dozens of shades referencing roses, bubblegum and shells. There are some extra-evocative names like Calamine and Dead Salmon. And what about a pink called Harajuku Morning? Modern Love? Names can sway a person, says New York designer Daun Curry. “We once had a client choose one paint color over another because the name was Peace and Happiness,” she says. More often, we pick a shade because we like it, says color consultant Debra Kling of New York, and ``the names’ associations serve to augment our feelings about the hues.’’ She warns clients that paints when applied can look very different from their names: Creams, especially, easily veer into yellow territory, even when there’s no hint of that hue in their name. Natalie Ebel, co-founder of the directto-consumer paint company Backdrop — which is behind Harajuku Morning and February 2020
Modern Love — says that choosing the right names for paint colors is essential. “We encourage customers to not just paint their walls, but create their backdrop,’’ she says. ``So each name was chosen to evoke an emotional connection; we were inspired by real people, places, things and moods.” Farrow & Ball is known for creative naming; their latest Colour By Nature palette, made in collaboration with London’s Natural History Museum, was inspired by Werner’s Nomenclature of Colours, an 1814 guide that cross-references hues with markings and colorations found in nature. Scotch Blue, for example, suggests both the throat of a blue titmouse and copper ore. Time and place also provide inspiration, says Farrow & Ball’s color consultant Joa Studholme. “Occasionally, the paint name comes almost before the color. Plummett was mixed after an afternoon spent fishing on the river, where the color of the lead used to weight the fisherman’s line was a
thing of such beauty that it just begged to be added to the Farrow & Ball palette,’’ she says. Studholme shares the backstories on two Farrow & Ball pinks, Calamine and Dead Salmon: “For many people of a certain age, Calamine lotion was an intrinsic part of early life. Applied to treat scraped knees, stings and the general travails of a lively childhood, it was always of comfort. And what was more calming, the actual lotion or its extraordinary delicate color? It certainly creates soothing rooms in the modern world,” she says. As for the fishy one, the name was found on a decorator’s invoice dated 1805 for a library. “Salmon is the color, and Dead actually refers to the matte paint finish,” Studholme says. Another rosy paint that Studholme thinks is well-named was inspired by the soft, feminine shade found in traditional ladies’ private quarters. But ``Boudoir Pink’’ didn’t sit right, she says. “So, we spent time considering how the boudoir got its name, only to discover it comes from the French bouder, meaning ‘to sulk.’ Thus, Sulking Room Pink was born,” she says. Ebel, of Backdrop, says pinks have been the most fun to name. “Harajuku Morning was inspired by a trip we took to Tokyo in 2016. The color is bright, airy and fun, and reminded us of the playfulness of Takeshita Street, but in the morning before the crowds. Modern Love was inspired by one of my favorite New York Times columns — the color makes me think of the beautiful, messy feelings that come with relationships,” she says. DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES | 29
TheLestiTeam.com
1050 Olive Hill Lane
1135 Monticello Road
BELLE VUE Vineyard Estate in the Coombsville AVA. Beneath the Vaca Mountains, minutes to downtown Napa. 5 acre gated knoll with panoramic views, 2 homes (2nd 1000 sq. ft. with kitchen) meticulous craftsmanship, French doors framing mesmerizing vineyard views. 3.5 Acres Cab. 1000 bottle-cave. 4 car garage. Pool house, Bocce, Outdoor kitchen, Pizza-oven, vegetable garden.
12+ acre gated Vineyard/Estate minutes to downtown. Renovated, for grand entertaining and everyday enjoyment. Focal points are the great room and slick kitchen w/multiple pivot folding doors leading to large tiled terraces. Single level w/2 suites downstairs + office-media-guest-wing, wine cellar2nd floor elevator to 2 private suites. Resort like outdoor w/ infinity-edge pool-pool house+bath. 7.8 acres Chardonnay + .09 acre Cab. Live the life.
Mark Lesti
Mark Lesti
707.320.8950
$7,900,000
1107 Castle Oaks Drive
29 Pinnacle Peak Street
Spectacular Silverado Estate offers views, main level living and an entertainer’s dream backyard. Enjoy amazing views from the backyard around the beautiful pool and spa. Beautiful Kitchen! The main level master suite features fire place, sitting room and work space. This is a unique one of a kind Silverado Highlands home.
Beautiful and stylish view home at Silverado Country Club. Privacy and tranquility. End of cul-de-sac location and no rear neighbors. Views of the valley abound from the tall soaring windows. Amazing hardwood floors. Huge family room opens to the kitchen and the magnificent view windows. A bright and light architectural gem. Several well-situated patios and decks take in the views while you dine and entertain. The master bedroom suite is on the main level for easy living. Separate rooms for living, family, dining, offices and more (also on the main level). Plus a large wine closet conveniently located on the main level. No HOA. Solar power system. Mark Lesti 707.320.8950 $2,850,000 Mark Lesti 707.320.8950 $2,250,000
Mark Lesti 707.320.8950 Lic#01784430
Christine Lesti 707.320.8999 Lic#01854423
707.320.8950
Paul M. Everett 707.299.9949 Lic#02016753
Sarah Peyton 707.339.2163 Lic#01869521
$7,800,000
3181 Kingston Avenue Bucolic Wine Country setting with 360 degree Views, nestled in the heart of Browns Valley. This Entertainer’s Delight boasts nearly unending social areas inside and out! From Formal Dining Room to Kitchen+Nook to Formal Living Room to enormous Family Room+Full Bath, rounded out by Formal Entrance Foyer + Powder Room, the main level flows beautifully for easy and large entertaining. Master Bedroom Suite, Two En Suite Guest Bedrooms, and Laundry Room are upstairs... all with amazing views from atop the hill...connected by an upper level front porch with Swing. Beautiful outdoor entertaining space includes a Patio with Fire Place, Outdoor Kitchen, Play Set, Basketball Hoop, Garage/conditioned Workshop space, Wine Cave, Art Studio/Office, and DG multipurpose area. Front planted to approximately 1/3 acre of Cabernet Sauvignon vines. Mark Lesti 707.320.8950 $1,990,000
Ted Stumpf 707.246.9825 Lic#02020069
Brandon Hagler 707.210.4292 Lic#02073516
Gary Prince 707.227.7282 Lic#01735857
707.226.1823 • 1030 Third Street, Napa 30 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES
February 2020
TheLestiTeam.com
4129 Dry Creek Road
2024 First Street
1735 G Street
Huge Panoramic Views!!! Build your dream home. Close to both Yountville and Napa. This is a special property; as the Viewshed Permit has already been obtained. Road and home permits also already obtained. Extremely private, and ready to accommodate your special estate home (as well as a guest home). This rare parcel is for the discriminating Buyer. One of the last remaining hillside view parcels with amazing views. Mark Lesti 707.320.8950 $1,950,000
Downtown Napa. Rare and beautiful. Lovely Storybook character home, and 2nd home, on a large lot. Perfectly located in downtown Napa among historic homes and B&B’s. Special characteristics of the period include the gothic front door, curved leaded windows and elegant light fixtures. The newly refinished hardwood floors tie together this amazing home. The 2nd home shines with hardwood floors, a large living area, a separate bedroom and bathroom, and a kitchen. The driveway leads to a 2-car garage and shop area (this garage structure needs work). Come and see this rare jewel of downtown Napa.
Great Napa location! Two separate and detached homes on one parcel. Both homes have three bedrooms and outside yard space. Both homes are single level homes. The front home has a large and useable basement underneath - it is 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. The rear home is 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Strong Cash Flow.
Mark Lesti 707.320.8950 $1,250,000 Mark Lesti 707.320.8950 $1,175,000
2138 First Avenue
3494 Shelter Creek Drive
7772 Cora Drive, Lucerne
Beautiful country setting meets tranquil elegance! Gorgeous wood ceilings and hardwood floors. Recently updated kitchens and baths. 1936 Wedgewood stove and updated lighting and fixtures. Office area and fantastic sun room to enjoy your scenic backyard. Stone wall in the open back yard. Views of horses, Mt. George and open space!
Fully remodeled! New appliances and counters. Ready for move in. Gorgeous!!! Privately located at the back of the complex. HOA has a park and a pool.
Enjoy this 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on the lake in the desirable waterfront community of Kono Tayee Estates. The backyard includes a private boat dock and canal that leads straight to the lake. The community includes its own beach, boat ramp, and picnic area. Amenities include an over-sized garage and driveway, updated kitchen and bathrooms, dual pane windows, central heat and air and fireplace with wood stove.
Mark Lesti 707.320.8950 $1,125,000 Mark Lesti
707.320.8950
Bob Souza 707.363.6335
Howard Giles 650.796.5195
Lic#01439572
Bob Wallin 707.337.5279 Lic#01492251
StephanieThompson 707.226.1823 Admin
Lic#01428277
$525,000 Gary Prince 707.227.7282 $345,000
Hanan Kim 602.579.5927 Lic#01982155
Christine Marek 707.226.1823
707.226.1823 • 1030 Third Street, Napa
Lic#01730062
Nick Valdivia 707.225.5810 Lic#01980975
CHRIS D CRAIKER AIA/NCARB
O
K, construction industry! Get ready for the 21st Century Roaring Twenties… or will it be the Evolution Epoch? Which way is the wind blowing? The construction industry has always tried to predict future construction trends and improvements that will gain the biggest return in turbulent times. Whether one is a homeowner, real estate investor or a house flipping-artist, which renovation project will best resonate with end-users is always the big question. We know that wet areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and laundry areas, are always on top of home renovation projects, but the Outdoor or Alfresco Room is becoming very popular. More on that later. What’s in the near future? The latest Harvard leading indicator, Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity, LIRA, predicted the construction renovation slump of 2019 will continue this coming year at -3%/yr., mostly due to increased labor and material costs as well as dwindling opportunities. There just aren’t enough properties at acceptable prices to jump on. Nonetheless, there will be increased activity nationwide for maintenance and long-term care of residential properties, according to Buildfax.com, an industry collector and distributor of building information to insurance and investment
From
bauhaus to
your house 100 Years of modern architecture
firms. This suggests more real estate is being treated as long-term assets rather than quick turnovers. 2020’s overall residential construction spending of $499 billion will not be near the 2018 frenzy of $562 billion, but we should see a lot more renovation work in long-term quality construction. Hopefully construction inflation will slow. Interestingly, since 1993 it held a steady increase of 3.5%/yr even in the Great Recession. However, the recent economic stampede has averaged 8%/yr. This will definitely slow big private construction projects, except government projects that never say ‘NO’ to a construction project, no matter what the price or…..surprise!.... change orders. Large scale residential construction projects may struggle but continuing low interest rates will propel residential renovation projects on a climbing trajectory even though the market may be tightening. Historically, the kitchen has always been the center of home life. Interestingly, kitchen space has gone from 25% of an early 19th century cottage to less than 8% in a
50’s track home. Now, a kitchen can be up to 20% of the contemporary home. Ironically, people are cooking less and ordering in more. Kitchens are the “Tiara” in the crown, not to be touched or used. Architecturally, the emphasis is less on fancy appliances but more on opening up the space to the rest of the house. Longer counters and big islands are the hot buttons with less overhead cabinets. The 2019 remodeling impact report from the NARI, National Association of Remodeling Industry, reveal some interesting homeowners’ perceptions. NARI came out with a “joy score”, a 1 to10 rating of different interior projects. The highest Joy score was kitchen renovations, reaching as high as 95%. After a renovation, 74% of those surveyed had a greater desire to be in their home and 65% said they experienced increased enjoyment in life in general. 77% felt a major sense of accomplishment. You would hope so, after they just spent at least $50,000 for a new kitchen! The bottom line is: more investments in kitchens are improving homeowner peace of mind rather
than merely flipping the residence for profit. Of course, resales are always on the horizon and a necessary target, but not the first priority. If you can’t live with it, don’t renovate it. The other highly desired improvement is the Outdoor Alfresco Room. Even in uncomfortably hot or cold inclement regions, people want to spend more time outside. The “room” has become a standard in new homes and is applicable to existing homes whenever somebody is considering a renovation. Sometimes a simple trellis becomes a “covered pavilion” with a gas fire pit and seating area. This will quickly become the most important “room” in the house. Add a TV, ceiling fan or heater, and you won’t get the family and guests uprooted for dinner. Unfortunately, the construction industry tends to relay on its own antiquated buyer sales data rather than on impending buyer/ user demographics. The biggest demographic evolution will be the evolving Millennium buyer profile. They aren’t traditional buyers, and this will be the biggest challenge to builders, investors, architects and home-flippers. OK, Boomers. Move over! Chris d Craiker AIA/NCARB has been swinging a hammer and pouring concrete for over 50 years. Chris d Craiker AIA is a prominent Bay Area architect with over 40 years patching up shaky marriages and challenging renovations. For a CSI form or more information, call 707.224.5060 or e-mail: info@ craiker.com. Photo courtesy of Jason Yeakey
32 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES
FEBRUARY 2020
APPLY ONLINE NOW at NVCH.ORG!
MATCH-UP PROGRAM A FREE SERVICE We match home providers who have an extra room in their home, with renters seeking an affordable place to live in Napa County. We screen and check references for each candidate and refer potential housemates to one another. We help facilitate the home sharing agreements, and are available for follow up questions and concerns.
Call 707-253-6157 150 Camino Dorado, Napa CA (707) 253-6157 | NVCH.ORG
NAPA’S LOAN RANGER
KICKSTART YOUR
EQUITY
A
s I clicked around radio channels the other day, driving to the office, I inevitably landed on one of my favorites, which happens to be SiriusXM’s Big ‘80s on 8. Yup, there you have it; my music secret is now fully exposed via channel number 8. For those of you who might not know, this channel has a wide range of artists. At that time, Mötley Crüe‘s hit song “Kickstart My Heart” was playing and I couldn’t help myself from CHRIS rocking out. SALESE Like any song, they all have different meanings, some of which you pay attention to when listening and others that you don’t because you simply just want to rock out without meaning. After the song was over, the title to it somehow was stuck in my head and got me thinking about what you can kickstart in the lending world. It didn’t take long for me to realize that if you are currently a homeowner, you probably should be looking at your equity
these days. There’s a good chance, especially if you’ve owned your home for at least the last three to five years or have recently completed improvements to it that you likely have some built-up equity to consider. Since equity doesn’t last forever, you must be strategic about it. By this, I mean you could access your home equity in two main ways. The first way is through the sale of your property. Depending on the condition of your home and the timing of the sale, this scenario might have a huge upside for you. However, it will come with a few pros and cons, so it’s best to consult with your favorite experienced local Realtor on whether it makes sense for you and what your plan would be post-sale. The other main way to access your equity is through refinancing your home. The most common product used to do such is called
a second mortgage or a home equity line of credit. It’s usually a variable rate and tracks the ups or downs of the government’s monetary policy. This is a fantastic tool to give yourself a line of credit against the equity in your home without selling it. It also doesn’t require the traditional 20 percent equity cushion to activate it. But if you did have more than 20 percent equity, then you can opt for a lower fixed rate mortgage to take cash-out as well. A l t e r n a t i v e l y, another way to access the equity i n
your home is done with a combination of a home equity line of credit and a first mortgage rolled together. Let’s say you have great credit scores. You might be able to access cash out up to 95 percent of your home’s value with a single first mortgage up to $1 million. In addition, you can set up a bill pay platform within this product to reduce debts and rebuild your equity faster. You’ll need to have a detailed discussion with your lender on how to best use this program. Chris Salese can be reached at chris@ delsurmortgage.com or 707-363-4439. He is a licensed California mortgage lender (LO NMLS #254469 — CA-DBO #254469 Corp NMLS #1850 Equal Housing Opportunity.
© Dana Rothstein | Dreamstime.com
34 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES
February 2020
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Must Be Local. From bridge to vine Discover the difference Local can make THE LOCAL CHOICE FOR REAL ESTATE
We are 100% locally owned. That means every dollar that comes in stays right here in the community. Every single one.
TFGPrealestate.com
February 2020
DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES | 35
TIL DECOR
DO US PART? How couples can decorate together
S
M E L I S S A R AY WO RT H A ssoc iated Pres s
haring a home with someone you love can be wonderful. But decorating together isn’t always easy, especially when your tastes aren’t the same. If one partner loves filling every space with mementos and the other is clutter-averse, who gets their way? It can be hard to find good compromises when one loves bold colors and patterns, while the other favors calming shades of gray. Interior designer Penny Drue Baird draws as much on her doctorate in psychology as on her design training when she works with couples decorating a home. “I’m there as the mediator, like a marital therapist,” Baird says, “working out how to approach it so both persons don’t feel like they’re the one that can’t get what they want.” Here, Baird and two other New York-based interior designers — Deborah Martin and Michelle Gerson — discuss how couples can tackle the sometimes challenging task of decorating shared space. SHARING YOUR VISION All three designers begin by doing an intake meeting with a couple to find out “everything that they are hoping to achieve, and the look they feel like they’re going for,” Baird says. Clients will bring photos they’ve ripped from magazines or show pages from design books to help explain what appeals to them. A couple can sit down together and have this sort of meeting even if they aren’t working with 36 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES
a designer. By showing your partner what you envision, you may find that you have more common ground than you realized. Martin says that sometimes a client begins with a preconceived notion that they don’t like a certain pattern or style, but when they see it in context they do like it. “It’s about discovery,” Martin says. Just as a designer must “take some risks and present what you feel will work very well in the home,” a partner can take the risk of showing their vision and taking in their partner’s vision with an open mind. Both may end up happily surprised. In some cases, one partner might say they’re fine turning over the reins completely. If you’re redecorating a home or moving to a new one and your partner says you can make all the design choices, keep them updated along the way to avoid any unpleasant surprises. COHESIVE COMPROMISES Gerson recommends making a list of items you both need in the room or home you’re decorating. These are the shared must-haves you can agree on, like plenty of seating in the living room if you both like to entertain. Find that common ground, she says, and try to agree on one major piece of furniture. Maybe it’s a sofa that one partner loves the shape of and the other likes the fabric. Once each person feels like their biggest requests have been heard, it may be easier to compromise on other details. Another way to compromise:
If one person likes a space full of colorful things and the other dislikes clutter, Gerson says, “then we try to organize the stuff. When stuff looks organized and purposeful, and not just like stuff all over the place, then people start to realize they do like having stuff around.” For one client who had a collection of music memorabilia, Gerson added built-in shelving in a home office to display the collection in an organized way that pleased both partners. If a home is big enough, couples with differing taste might find it’s easier to compromise on the main rooms if they will each have more influence on one other room, Baird says. One person might choose darker colors for a home library, for instance, while another can use bright, bold colors for their home office or hobby space. The main rooms can serve as a bridge, connecting those styles together more smoothly. Martin agrees: “I try not to create a ‘his space’ or a `her space’ in favor of creating spaces that flow nicely and have continuity.” Some couples opt to mix their contrasting tastes throughout their home, but Baird says creating an “eclectic” room that mashes up two different decorating styles can be difficult. “People bandy around the word eclectic, but it really is a mishmosh,” she says. “It’s very rare to see a room or a home that I would call eclectic that is well done.”
Patrick Cline
This 2015 photo shows a home office designed by interior designer Michelle Gerson in New York. When one partner has a collection to display and the other partner prefers an uncluttered space, it’s important to take an organized approach, as seen in this home office space created by Gerson, where custom shelving was designed to prominently but neatly display a collection of music memorabilia.
are in a rush to completely decorate a room and fill every space. That can lead you to compromises that neither of you like, she says. Don’t be afraid to leave a bit of empty space until you discover the right piece to put there. “It’s OK if you have a fabulous sofa and a great coffee table and a rug,” Gerson says, to then wait until you stumble upon a wonderful chair you both like that can complete the room. Time also makes the shared decorating process easier: “I find that the longer a couple has lived together or been married, the more likely they are to have the same design objectives,” Martin says. “They’re on the same page, especially older couples.” And with enough communication and patience, Baird says, most couples manage to decorate their homes without conflict. “I’ve never had anyone get TAKE YOUR TIME divorced,” she says, “until after we Gerson says people often were done decorating.” February 2020
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This Jan. 3, 2020 photo shows a wind-downed tree blocking a driveway near Langley, Wash. The chainsaw-equipped landowner soon had the driveway reopened and with added firewood in the process. Certain plant species are more resilient in windstorms and wildfires than others Dean Fosdick
.
EXTREME WEATHER has gardeners looking for resilient plants DEAN FOSDICK A s s oci ate d Pre s s Fiercer and more frequent natural disasters in recent years have many homeowners re-evaluating their landscaping. Many are restocking with trees and plants more resilient in the face of storms, fires and flooding. Scientists link the higher frequency of severe weather events to climate change. There are steps home gardeners can take. “Protect your property from wind and wildfires by checking tree and shrub species for winds and flammability before using them around the home,” said Mark Tancig, a horticulturist with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “Native tree species are more adaptive to diseases and insects,” Tancig said. “They also tend to be more aerodynamic, making them a better bet for surviving high winds.” Avoid trees with delicate wood that breaks apart easily in severe weather. Small species FEBRUARY 2020
that mature below the strongest wind gusts are better choices in urban and suburban landscapes than tall ones, said Theresa Badurek, another UF-IFAS horticulturist. “ Tre e s t h a t g row ve r y quickly usually have brittle wood,” Badurek said. “Slow and steady wins this race.” Trees with shallow or damaged roots are prone to blow over. “Don’t cut the roots of a tree for sidewalks, driveways or patios. Work around them,” she said. People living in the Gulf and Mid-Atlantic states contend with hurricanes, while those in the West cope with wildfires. Thunderstorms, tornadoes and flooding cause most of the destruction in the nation’s interior, and then there’s the damage caused by lightning, hail, icing, mud and landslides — events that can occur almost anywhere. “If mature trees are damaged, rotting or dying back, hire a certified arborist to
prescribe preventive pruning or removal and replacement before the next big storm,” Badurek said. Lightning strikes are an unpredictable and explosive natural hazard. “Tall trees can be damaged or killed by lightning,” Badurek said. “Lightning can jump from trees into nearby homes and utilities.” To help minimize losses, install lightning rods toward the top of your highest-value trees and ground the coils, Tancig said. People facing wildfire damage should create defensible space around their homes. Close-in areas should be free of brush, debris and firewood, have irrigated sections nearby and include an abundance of fire-resistant plants. No plant is fireproof, but many are fire-resistant. These are plants with supple leaves without waxy or resinous surfaces, said Amy Jo Detweiler, a horticulturist with Oregon State University Extension.
Proven fire-resistant plant species include daylilies, coneflowers, coreopsis, lavender and high-moisture succulents. Lilacs and hedging roses make good shrubs for wildfire country, while hardwood varieties like maples, poplar and cherry are safer choices among trees. Avoid landscaping using conifers with wood containing flammable waxes, fats or oils. Although fire-resistant plant varieties might still be damaged or killed in wildfires, their foliage and stems don’t significantly fuel the fires’ intensity, Detweiler said. Some other OSU Extension precautions include: Trimming trees and shrubs and placing them about 10 feet from one another. Using non-flammable mulch like crushed rock around houses and outbuildings. Cleaning debris from roofs and gutters. Removing lawns near houses or keeping them watered and mown short. DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES | 39
NAPA COUNTY’S LATEST HOME SALES* Address
record dAte
sAle Price
Bed BAth sq ft Yr Blt
American Canyon 348 KNIGHTSBRIDGE WAY 25 STONEGATE LN 754 DEERFIELD DR 215 W CAROLYN DR 137 CARMEL DR 714 CAPRA DR 450 MERLOT 314 STRAND CT 220 NEWBURY WAY 123 SAN MARCO WAY 51 SPIKERUSH CIR 22 HORIZON CT 6 BLACK DUCK CT 2 MOSAIC CT
Calistoga
1821 GRANT ST 1119 MITZI DR 1448 N OAK ST 1488 FAIRWAY VISTA CT
Napa
2873 MAIN ST 1566 SIERRA AVE 2907 KILBURN AVE 1841 PARK AVE 1406 CAROL DR 2788 PINE ST 17 ARROWWOOD AVE 6 PATRICK CT 2102 ETHEL PORTER DR 1120 REPUBLIC AVE 3009 STADIUM AVE 303 FOSTER RD 1448 RUBICON ST 1039 CLARK ST 111 S FRANKLIN ST 3812 LASSEN ST 340 ROOSEVELT ST 2528 MACMILLAN ST 3701 NORFOLK ST 2074 ARAGON CT 821 LAGUNA ST 2290 KATHLEEN DR 2772 CYPRESS ST 3594 JEFFERSON ST 530 GREENBACH ST 3448 CRESTVIEW WAY 141 ELODIA CIR 1047 CLARK ST 650 MATSON DR 659 RIO VISTA DR 171 WINGARD CIR 3484 MEADOWBROOK DR 1730 SPRUCE ST
Single Family
1/6 12/26 1/22 12/19 1/3 1/22 1/21 12/16 12/31 12/23 1/3 12/23 12/20 1/3
$154,000 $335,000 $440,000 $450,000 $460,000 $504,000 $521,000 $555,000 $615,000 $655,000 $670,000 $672,000 $690,000 $890,000
4 3 3 4 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 4 4 5
3 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 4
2,033 1,316 1,284 1,181 1,032 1,020 1,627 1,903 2,241 2,388 2,948 2,969 2,877 3,679
1989 1988 1994 1957 1957 1968 1993 1990 1989 2001 2003 2006 2004 2008
Single Family
12/27 1/23 11/15 12/26
$643,000 $680,000 $915,000 $1,125,000
2 4 2 3
2 2 1 2
1,415 1,440 1,192 2,207
1975 1917 1989
Single Family
12/19 1/13 12/17 1/17 1/8 11/26 1/13 1/3 12/30 1/17 1/6 1/17 12/27 12/23 12/20 1/9 12/19 1/9 1/14 12/27 1/21 1/13 1/2 12/27 1/7 1/7 12/30 12/23 12/16 12/26 12/16 1/15 1/22
$153,500 $373,000 $395,000 $447,000 $474,500 $499,000 $505,000 $510,000 $515,000 $520,000 $533,500 $548,000 $550,000 $555,000 $559,000 $559,000 $566,000 $567,500 $572,000 $575,000 $582,500 $585,500 $590,000 $605,000 $605,000 $625,000 $649,000 $650,000 $655,000 $660,000 $660,000 $667,000 $670,000
3 4 2 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 3 4 4 3 4 3 4 3 3 2
2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 1
1,140 1,406 765 1,099 1,015 868 1,048 1,106 973 1,149 1,232 960 1,189 887 975 1,365 1,252 1,107 1,080 1,628 1,340 1,598 1,288 1,261 1,782 1,941 1,390 1,758 1,961 1,877 1,693 1,540 1,228
1955 1955 1941 1953 1953 1935 1942 1954 1954 1956 1961 1952 1956 1953 1953 1963 1960 1960 1959 1966 1963 1954 1950 1958 1955 1979 1995 1940 1970 1970 1999 1965 1941
Address
record dAte
sAle Price
Bed BAth sq ft Yr Blt
2494 TROWER AVE
1/14
$695,000
4
3
2,050
1990
2984 MASSA DR
1/16
$700,000
3
3
2,056
1952
561 KENT ST
1/10
$701,500
4
2
1,559
1955
12/18
$705,000
4
2
1,910
1978
111 ROOSEVELT ST
1/15
$714,000
2
1
1,265
1951
2370 CHAD CT
1/22
$715,000
4
5
3,199
1978
12 MONTECITO BLVD
1/13
$720,000
2
2
1,216
1947
12/27
$745,000
4
3
2,131
1966
1/9
$748,500
2
1
1,155
1946
12/18
$752,500
3
2
1,672
1992
4375 CHABLIS DR
1/6
$760,000
4
3
2,071
1976
92 KENWOOD ST
12/27
$780,000
3
2
1,732
1968
3536 YOUNG AVE
12/19
$786,000
3
2
1,626
1963
160 BROWN ST
12/17
$800,000
3
2
884
1900
2952 ALDERWOOD CT
12/30
$800,000
4
3
2,007
1973
1685 SILVERADO TRL
1/24
$825,000
4
3
1,710
1951
624 MONTECITO BLVD
12/17
$850,000
2
2
1,692
1988
1/9
$875,000
3
2
2,019
2005
14 CLEMENT CT
12/16
$879,000
4
3
2,324
1989
958 SERENDIPITY WAY
12/12
$920,000
4
3
2,733
2015
1/22
$930,000
4
5
3,111
2004
106 HEUN LN
12/20
$933,000
3
2
2,144
2018
910 CHELEBROOKE CT
12/20
$960,000
4
3
3,177
2005
1/13
$972,000
4
2
2,137
1984
1/6
$997,000
4
4
2,797
2005
1/21
$1,040,000
4
3
2,131
1989
131 HEUN LN
12/19
$1,050,000
5
4
2,844
2018
1163 WYATT AVE
12/27
$1,180,000
4
4
2,404
2019
1169 WYATT AVE
12/27
$1,250,000
4
4
2,921
2019
1/22
$1,255,000
4
3
2,614
1964
100 S NEWPORT DR
12/16
$1,350,000
4
3
2,477
1997
1151 WYATT AVE
12/19
$1,475,000
4
4
2,678
2018
1212 PEPPERGRASS ST
12/20
$1,613,500
3
3
3,278
2019
9 LONE WOOD CT
12/16
$1,775,000
3
3
3,209
2017
610 MONTECITO BLVD
12/23
$1,915,000
4
4
3,304
1964
242 ST ANDREWS DR
12/20
$2,150,000
3
4
3,035
1968
545 MONTECITO BLVD
1/21
$2,275,000
4
3
3,635
1999
12/19
$4,145,000
4
6
4,522
2018
762 LATHROP ST
1778 OLYMPIA CT 1510 EAST AVE 4412 MALAGA WAY
965 CHELEBROOKE CT
1226 DAFFODIL DR
332 SKYLARK WAY 72 CATANIA LN 3318 STRATFORD CT
222 MONTE VISTA DR
1043 ROSS CIR
St Helena
Single Family
1551 KENNEDY CT
12/16
$700,000
3
1
1,056
1971
1171 EDWARDS ST
12/31
$710,000
2
1
943
1925
1509 RIESLING WAY
1/23
$1,100,000
3
2
1,572
1978
1/8
$1,125,000
3
2
1,776
1966
825 SIGNORELLI CIR
12/31
$1,550,000
4
3
2,467
1998
1729 ALEXANDER CT
1/17
$2,090,000
3
3
2,109
1920
12/18
$2,250,000
3
2
1,885
1978
1/10
$2,380,000
3
3
2,287
1946
1/9
$2,635,000
4
4
2,400
1961
1629 HILLVIEW PL
1261 SPRING BROOK CT 1859 MADRONA AVE 1580 HILLVIEW PL
Yountville 1887 HERITAGE WAY
Single Family
1/7
$1,485,000
4
3
2,762
1993
NAPA COUNTY’S LATEST HOME SALES* Address
record dAte
sAle Price
1428 N OAK ST
10/25
$410,000
132 GOLDEN GATE CIR 38 VILLAGE PKWY 74 VILLAGE PKWY 3479 VALLE VERDE DR 23 BRIDGEGATE WAY 3504 SHELTER CREEK DR 3624 SHELTER CREEK DR 156 VALLEY OAK DR 8 VANESSA CT E 1840 SUTTER CT 241 FREDERICK DR 72 FOUNTAIN GROVE CIR 1704 THIRD ST 933 AUGUSTA CIR
12/27 12/20 12/31 1/6 12/19 1/15 1/15 1/10 12/27 1/8 1/7 12/27 12/20 12/18
6600 YOUNT ST #006
Bed
BAth
sq ft
Yr Blt
3
2
1,228
1987
$295,000 $315,000 $332,000 $389,000 $400,000 $405,000 $415,000 $480,000 $485,000 $499,000 $555,000 $590,000 $859,000 $1,325,000
1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 3 2
1 1 1 2 3 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 4 2
628 676 676 970 1,033 1,315 1,350 1,154 1,501 1,275 1,428 1,470 1,483 1,956
1991 1985 1985 1972 1998 1972 1973 2006 1987 1983 1978 1989 2019 1994
12/17
$645,000
2
2
1,050
1984
280 MCREYNOLDS DR 39 GOODWELLS AVE
11/25 12/30
$413,000 $1,100,000
3 4
2 4
1,687 4,193
136 BERRYESSA DR 139 BERRYESSA DR 1074 HEADLANDS DR
1/8 12/17 12/23
$250,000 $320,000 $335,000
2 3 2
2 1 2
1,080 1,020 1,184
3028 MYRTLEDALE RD
1/22
$715,000
3
1
1,028
Calistoga
Condos
Napa
Condos
Yountville
Condos
Angwin
Rural Residential
Berryessa
Rural Residential
Calistoga
1955 Rural Residential
1144 MT GEORGE AVE 1513 ESTEE AVE 4175 E THIRD AVE 1311 ORCHARD AVE 1009 THIRD AVE 1114 MONTICELLO RD 1109 FOURTH AVE 2015 COOMBSVILLE RD 1590 MCKINLEY RD
1/21 12/20 12/31 12/23 12/27 12/23 12/30 12/31 12/20
$515,000 $799,000 $1,030,000 $1,125,000 $1,195,000 $1,200,000 $1,320,000 $1,375,000 $1,575,000
2 3 3 3 4 2 3 3 2
1 1 3 2 2 2 3 2 2
1,240 1,274 2,267 1,563 1,793 1,406 2,816 1,878 1,699
126 MUSTANG CT 22 SORREL CT
12/12 12/17
$247,000 $420,000
3 3
2 2
1,742 1,464
1708 LOS CARNEROS AVE
12/17
$650,000
3
1
1,926
Pope, Chiles, Wooden Valleys
1955 1955 1969 1955 1965 1928 1982 1990 1940 Rural Residential
Southern County/Carneros
2001 1990 Rural Residential
Napa
1952 Vineyard Residential
1089 GREEN VALLEY RD
1/21
Pope, Chiles, Wooden Valleys
$5,670,000
3
6
6,351
1992 Vineyard Residential
3454 SAGE CANYON RD
1/9
Southern County/Carneros
$1,950,000
4
4
3,056
1977 Vineyard Residential
4078 WITHERS RD
1/13
$1,500,000
4
2
2,101
1963
lot size
record dAte
sAle Price
Units
Yr Blt
12/23 1/10 1/6 1/8 1/13
$74,500 $327,500 $690,000 $709,000 $789,000
1 1 2 1 1
1925 1943 1947 1973 1979
Napa 1503 E ST 728 SEMINARY ST 233 WALNUT ST 1332 TROWER AVE 1314 TROWER AVE
2005 1962 2001 Rural Residential
Napa
Address
1977 1951
Res. Multi Family
5,490 7,255 10,503 6,592 6,674
Le Paris Cafe
OPENS ELIZABETH SMITH
Popular American Canyon bakery expands into downtown Napa For four years, Napa County residents have enjoyed Jay Magsano’s patisseries and other bakery goodies, either at his Le Paris Artisan & Gourmet Café in American Canyon, at the Chardonnay Golf Club where he was the in-house pastry chef or at his catering events. Now, with the opening of a second location of his popular cafe, his pastries, breads, and other foods, handmade daily from scratch in small batches, are available in Napa. Magsano’s purchase of the former Molinari Caffè at 828 Brown St., was both fortuitous and quick, only a couple of months in the making. Magsano said his goal is to “make sure that whatever we bring to Napa is made with love.” “After running the business for four years, we also realized that a large portion of our customers are also coming from Napa city itself, so we decided to open another shop and bring us closer to the locals,” he said. He described December 2019 as his month of transition. His approach to following in the footsteps of the previous venue is to continue to provide great coffee – that means his choice to use Moschetti French-style coffees and espresso from Vallejo – paired with classic bakery items like croissants and baguettes, but to also remain relevant by following the trends in modern patisserie and creating innovative 42 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES
offerings driven by Napa’s customer preferences. The current staff in Napa is made up of Magsano, who is there to oversee the transition, training, development, and evolution from old to new, as well as some of his seasoned American Canyon employees, who will serve as mentors to new hires. He said he is building a team that “works from the heart.” Magsano hails from the Philippines, where, as a young person, he held a number of positions in the food service industry, which allowed him to “develop and improve” his culinary palate, he said. His varied work and academic background also includes the financial sector as a former loan officer, a degree in restaurant management, and pastry and confectionery studies at the former Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in San Francisco. For many years, Magsano worked and traveled between the United States and Japan, as he has family there. He owned and operated restaurants in Japan prior opening the Le Paris Artisan & Gourmet Café in American Canyon. It was also in Japan where he originally discovered and fell in love with French pastries. When deciding on a theme for his café, it seemed natural to focus on them. “French baking has been passed on to generations and still hasn’t changed for the most part, and we wanted to do something classical with which many people are familiar,” he said. While the menu includes French pastries, Magsano also noted that what sets his baking and
cooking apart from others is the mélange of the cultural and culinary influences of his life, which he called “French, American, and Filipino fusion.” M o s t i m p o r t a n t l y, though, is that his pastries, breads, and other foods are handmade daily from scratch in small batches, which requires long days that begin in the wee hours of the morning, he said. Some of the staff and customer favorites include Magsano’s Cropuffs – his signature croissant and cream puff creation – as well as the almond croissants and the adobo pork empañadas, which he insists is “an absolute must-try.” The menu for the Napa location is still evolving, as Magsano learns who his new customers are and what they enjoy. He insists on serving “what you want to eat” and ensuring he makes enough of each menu item to meet customer demand. Other factors influencing the offerings include seasonality and availability of ingredients. The café serves breakfast and lunch items such as butter croissants, breads like sourdough and French-style baguettes, the quiche of the day, the empañada of the day, a variety of sandwiches, as well as pastry confections like raspberry tiramisu, Cropuffs, ganache tarts, and macarons. A peek at a draft menu also includes morning and sticky buns, Danishes, brioche, scones, éclairs, cookies, custom cakes,
Chef Jay Magsano, who is originally from the Philipines, discovered French pastries while working in Japan Elizabeth Smith photos
tarts, cream p u f f s , cheesecake, and chocolate mousse. A “standard” menu item, such as his avocado toast, shows Magsano’s approach to preparing his foods. He chose a slice of sourdough bread as the foundation for the avocado toast because it will support the layered stack of ingredients. However, as the ingredients intermingle with the bread, it naturally becomes more malleable, chewy, and replete with a plethora of flavors and textures offered by an optional runny egg, creamy avocado, thinly sliced smoked salmon, m a d e - f r o m - s c r a t c h c rè m e fraîche, crunchy seeds, and the umami taste of balsamic. In addition to the café, Magsano also offers catering for events and weddings. He makes wedding cakes and other confectionary delights. For example, he offers five kinds of bitesized desserts. The hours for the Napa location are Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. It is closed on Sundays. An official grand opening is planned for January 2020. Le Paris Artisan & Gourmet Café is at 828 Brown St., Napa, across from the courthouse. For more information, email jay@ leparisartisan.com or visit leparisartisan.com/. February 2020
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Following
its own star Hesperian wines not a place, the owner says; it’s an idea
M
any believe that the first “Judgment of Paris” was a wine event held in 1976 that put Napa Valley wines on the world stage. But that’s not the case. The phrase was first used thousands of years ago. In ancient Greek mythology, the Hesperides were nymphs who tended queen-god Hera’s westernmost garden. A tree grew within the garden that produced golden apples, one of which the goddess of discord, Eris, gave as a wedding gift. The result was the original Judgement of Paris, which set in motion what eventually became the 10-year Trojan War that Homer chronicled in “The Iliad” around 750 B.C.E. Since then, the word Hesperian
TIM CARL has morphed to mean anyone living in the West, but it can also refer to the western evening “star,” Venus. But for Philippe Langner, owner of Napa Valley’s Hesperian winery and vineyards, the word means something more. “Hesperian is not a place, it’s an idea,” Langner said. “It’s about crafting something beautiful, complex and individual. Over time my ideas about winemaking have changed. Whereas I once looked to power and intensity, I now look for sensitivity, precision and delicacy as a way to best express our vineyards’ particular personalities.” PHILIPPE LANGNER — A WORLD TRAVELER To say that Langner is well-traveled is an understatement.
He was born in El Salvador, grew up on family ranches in Zaire (cattle, pisciculture and citrus) and Colombia (cattle) and moved to Switzerland when he was 16 to finish school. Next, he headed to the United States, where he attended UC Davis, graduating with a double master’s in agronomy and agricultural economics. As a result of his nomadic life and the heritage of his German father and Parisian mother, Langner now speaks French, Italian, Spanish and German in addition to English and at least a little Congolese-Lingala, a language spoken in Zaire. After school, Langner moved to France, where he worked for La Compagnie Financière Edmond de Rothschild Banque in Paris. But he found city life
constraining and longed to feel the earth beneath his feet again. On a recommendation from his sister, Ariane — who is married to Benjamin Rothschild, a son of Baron Edmond Rothschild — Langner headed to Bordeaux to spend a “short time” working at Château Clarke in Listrac-Médoc. The chateau has been owned by a part of the Rothschild banking family since 1973. Once there, Langner felt at home, and he extended his stay for five years as he learned the life of a vigneron and winemaker, training under luminaries such as Jacques Boissenot and Michel Rolland before heading to South Africa and the Fredericksburg Winery (Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons) winery for a year. In 2001, Langner spent a
An aerial view of Hesperian’s 1,400-foot elevation vineyard located in the Atlas Peak AVA that looks over the Napa Valley. Philippe Langner, the owner, named the vineyard Kitoko, or “beautiful,” from the Congolese-Lingala language spoken in Zaire, where he spent much of his youth. TIM CARL
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FEBRUARY 2020
vacation in the Napa Valley. There, he thought he’d visit wineries, take in the sights, and indulge in good food and wine. Never did he guess that he would become so smitten that he’d make it his permanent home. “I’ve been to some wonderful places on this earth,” he said, “but there’s just something about the Napa Valley.” After a friend introduced him to the Sullivan family in Rutherford they hired him in 2002 and he eventually became their viticulturist and winemaker. By 2010, he had started his own brand and taken on other clients as their winemaking consultant. He purchased a home and a 14-acre vineyard in the rocky eastern hills above the city of Napa in an area called Atlas Peak. ‘KITOKO’ MEANS BEAUTIFUL Although Langner obtains grapes from a variety of different vineyards throughout the region, he has a particular love for his Atlas Peak vineyard. “I named this vineyard Kitoko, which is the Congolese-Lingala word for ‘beautiful,’” he said. “The name is apropos because the wine that comes from the Kitoko vineyard is perfumed and complex yet more nuanced and subtle than you might expect from grapevines growing in such rugged conditions. It’s basically a pile of rocks up here, which forces the vines to struggle, only producing limited amounts of concentrated fruit per vine.” During a tour of his vineyard ranch, he talked about his winemaking approach and his plans for the future. He said then that he had lost his home in the 2017 fires. Up until that point, his laughter had been loud and often, but as we approached where his home had once stood he became quiet and hesitant. In front of us a lattice of shiny metal beams formed the skeleton of what would become his new house, its silvery bones glinting in the sun. He’d lost his home, the barns and the tool sheds, and the fire was so hot and fierce that even February 2020
TIM CARL
Philippe Langner owns of Napa Valley’s Hesperian winery and vineyards.
a few acres of vineyard had succumbed to the relentless heat. “I lost nearly everything,” he said, his voice tight. “Fortunately I make the wines off-site at a facility in the valley, so the wines were OK, but other than that…” He waved his arms to indicate that the flames had consumed almost everything else. “I even lost my winemaking notes that I had kept on every wine I’d ever tasted — poof, gone,” he said. “I’m rebuilding in such a way that that will never happen again.” Langner is building with metal and plenty of fire protection — a 2-inch water pipe around the entire house that can soak it when needed. He is also building his winery within caves for both protection and energy conservation. But rebuilding has taken much longer than he’d imagined and has cost at least twice as much as he expected. “I feel compelled to rebuild, but it’s not easy,” he said. “It’s not only the time and money, but when the winds came up again this year during harvest I was honestly surprised by my reaction — I felt panicked. It felt as if I needed to harvest the grapes before a fire destroys them again.” Luckily, there were no fires in Atlas Peak in 2019, but the memory of the terror in 2017 lingers. This might be especially true for residents of Atlas Peak, where six residents perished, hundreds of structures were burned to the ground, thousands of acres lay scorched, and nine wineries were damaged or destroyed. And yet, even with the trauma and devastation, the small community is slowly returning, with vintners such as Langner determined to push forward, believing that Atlas
TIM CARL
The well-traveled Philippe Langner in his Napa Valley vineyards.
Peak and its nearby neighbors on Prichard Hill produce some of the finest wines of the region. THE WINES OF PHILIPPE LANGNER Langner has made many different types of wines during his career, but now he focuses his attention on making Cabernet Sauvignons, including the 2015 Hesperian Kitoko Vineyard ($150 a bottle with only 300 cases made), the 2015 Hesperian Napa Valley ($100 a bottle with 300 cases made) and the 2014 Anatomy blend ($45 a bottle and 3,500 cases made). Because of his belief that wines should be aged longer than what is customary, the wines are often released a few years after their peers. The Kitoko is opaque with a brick-red rim. Aromatics of red-cherry liqueur, herb-roasted mushrooms, Morbier cheese, Chinese five spice and mulled wine coupled with silken-but-ever-present tannins reminded me of Lynch Bages with its wonderful acidity and balance that produces an elegant structure and a lingering, memorable finish. The Hesperian Napa Valley is sourced from grapes grown in vineyards on the valley’s floor and
has a distinctly different mouthfeel — plush and uncoiled — and yet it strangely has many of the similar aromatic nuances as the Kitoko in a sort of herbroasted-meat quality. But these aromatics are not merged with a red-fruit core as in the Kitoko, instead this wine leans toward the darker side with licorice, sunwarm plum, dark-roasted coffee and a wonderful creamy cinnamon-toast finish. Anatomy is a simpler, but still lovely, wine that would make any fan of Beringer Knights Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon sit up and take notice. Aromas of fig, clove and lavender join flavors of black cherry and huckleberries with a finish of black olive, wild sage and mocha chocolate. This is a more consumer-friendly version of Langner’s wine perhaps, but it retains the elegance found in the more expensive alternatives. To taste the wines, we’d come to a wooden picnic table on the bank of a pond that was surrounded by vineyards that sloped skyward. The only sounds were our voices, the occasional cry of a hawk and the light breeze that rustled through the reeds that lined the shore. “This place is worth the effort,” he said. “There is so much more to learn, so much to do.” He then paused and grew silent and serious as he slowly put both hands on the table as if bracing himself. He then leaned his head back and looked up at the sky. It wasn’t clear if he was looking for divine guidance or checking the sky for smoke before lowering his gaze. “We have a lot of work ahead of us, but this is important,” he said and then let out a long breath, shaking his head slightly. Until the winery is ready for visitors (sometime in 2022-23) anyone who is interested can book a tasting of Hesperian wines at the Kitchen Collective located at 1650 Soscol Ave., or find the wine at Backroom Wines in Napa and V Wine Cellars in Yountville. For more information or to purchase wine, visit www.hesperianwines.com. DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES | 45
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