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Set among the legendary hills of Glen Ellen that adventurer Jack London made famous in his novels, Villa Bacchus shares the same pristine views that drew London to settle here. Just minutes outside of the charming village, this sumptuous 11-acre estate enjoys complete privacy and is designed to fully embrace the wine country lifestyle.
Exterior
Villa Bacchus looks out over the unspoiled hills and valleys of Glen Ellen—the region that enticed the intrepid seafarer Jack London, and author MFK Fisher, one of the seminal figures in the food community, to make their homes here. Wooed by the climate, the abundance of flavorful produce and great wines, and the easy proximity of San Francisco, these early residents valued the same aspects of Sonoma that visitors do today.
Take the two-lane road from the village of Glen Ellen then up the private drive to Villa Bacchus and find yourself in a sunny, secluded retreat designed with every element you need to relax, play and celebrate with friends and family. Architect and nationally known artist, Dennis Ziemienski, created a stunning contemporary expression of wine country living that is in harmony with the land and its history.
The driveway circles around a tall fountain, and the main house, the guest house and the garage all border on the drive. The buildings design was inspired by Andrea Palladio, a Renaissance master, and one of the most influential architects in the Western world. At Villa Bacchus, his concepts have been translated into a sophisticated estate that surrounds you with luxurious details that satisfy all your desires for relaxation and recreation in an elegant, yet comfortable manner.
Outdoor pursuits can be enjoyed nearly year-round here. The shimmering waters of the pool are irresistible whether swimming laps or contemplating the green canyons as you float suspended over the hillside at the pool’s edge. A large, descending entertainment terrace leads from the main house down to the pool, complete with an outdoor grill and rotisserie, a stone pizza oven and a dining area that overlooks the pool.
A few steps away is the upper terrace with a pétanque court (a French game similar to bocce ball) where you can test your skills. Your audience can applaud from benches set among the flower beds or sip a cool drink at the outdoor seating area, the tranquil sounds of the fountain and fishpond in the background. A large hot tub set into the hillside overlooks the terrace, the perfect end to a day of wine tasting.
Interior
Approaching Villa Bacchus, the rich colors of the stucco exterior mingle with the surrounding madrone, manzanita and oak trees. At the main house, a marble mosaic adorns the entry steps and cypress trees flank the columned entrance with its tall arch—a leitmotif that runs throughout the building. Oak doors echo the arch and open into a spectacular living room with 17-foot ceilings, aglow with natural light from the 15-foot high windows, draped in silk curtains and custom designed from treated steel.
Lustrous travertine tile floors are accented with jet black granite, combining and contrasting with the hues of the French ochre walls, Moroccan rugs and the textures of the luxurious furnishings. The home’s interior walls are colored with lime washed paints for a soft, suede-like texture.
At the far end of the room is a large Rumford fireplace with a unique bas-relief designed by Dennis Ziemienski and modeled after a famous façade in Rome. Custom concrete counters on either side include a wet bar and sink.
Enter the kitchen and feel its welcoming ambiance. Pickled wood ceilings and beams create a rustic Italian look and the floors are constructed in an “end grain” design that offers greater depth and a springy texture. From a formal dinner to a casual snack, cooks will love the easy layout of the kitchen. Create fresh and delicious meals at the large center island and custom concrete counters. There’s a six-burner Wolf range, two ovens, two dishwashers, stainless steel appliances, a Shaw sink and a trash compactor. The Provencal green of the hanging display cabinets is carried over to cover the Sub Zero refrigerator for a finished look.
Gather in the open dining room at the handmade wood inlay table that seats 10-12. A built-in wine cooler is just an arm’s length away. A fireplace and hearth of reclaimed bricks adds a cozy warmth for early morning or late night meals, and when the weather is fine, two sets of doors open out to the terrace and pool, with a third exit from the kitchen for alfresco dining under the wooden pergola, entwined with grape vines and fragrant flowers. The climate offers the freedom to live a casually elegant lifestyle, where entertaining outdoors—something that is treasured in wine country—can be enjoyed almost every day.
If the urge to see the latest Oscar-winning film strikes, there is a spacious screening room with two levels of comfortable couches, plush pile carpeting, and it’s outfitted with a 100-inch screen, 7.1 surround sound audio and a Hi Def projection system with satellite and Blu-Ray. The entire home is wired for audio, including the grounds.
The main house has a guest bedroom and a master suite located at each end of the house, ensuring privacy. The guest bedroom has a view to the central fountain, windows that look to the gardens and a door that opens to the central fountain. The generous-sized bedroom features pickled wood ceilings and beams and dark brown end grain floors. There is a queen bed of deep mahogany wood with downy soft bedding. The bathroom mixes in retro elements like a claw-foot tub and a dresser converted into a vanity and sink, umber-colored wainscoting and natural paver tiled floors.
The master suite is an expansive room filled with a subdued natural light. Windows frame the king bed with its luxuriant fabrics and linens and there is a large carved stone fireplace and raised hearth. A sunny windowseat overlooks the terrace and hillside and a doorway accesses the pétanque terrace, hot tub and pool.
The master bath and bedroom have rustic slate floors, with radiant heat. Glass bricks enclose a slate-tiled shower large enough for three showerheads, and there is a clawfoot soaking tub with vintage fixtures. A birdseye maple cabinet separates the two vanities, fashioned from custom concrete.
A hallway leads past a walk-in closet and beyond the bedroom to a laundry room. Steps descend from the hallway to the living room.
Across the central courtyard, the spacious guest house shares the architectural design of the main home and special design details abound. The ground floor has a full kitchen with birdseye maple cabinets, a Wolf range and oven, stainless appliances, a dishwasher and concrete counters with an adjoining dining area.
A faux painted arch opens to the living room and its soft burnt umber walls, travertine floors and Venetian Morono lights that hang from a vaulted ceiling. Spend some quiet time in front of the fireplace as you enjoy the comfortable seating arrangement. Double doors lead out to a café table and chairs that face the central fountain.
The bathroom is on the main floor and features a tiled, glass-front shower, and a freestanding vanity with an ultra-modern sink on a “floating” concrete counter.
Tile floors in the entryway and the stairs are coated with a copper patina for a subtle metallic sheen. A bedroom suite occupies the entire second story with its views of the hillsides and glass doors that open to a “Juliet” balcony, which overlooks the central fountain. A king bed, desk and seating area make this a tranquil place to unwind.
Villa Bacchus offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience an elegance and sophistication that is in complete harmony with the natural environment. Lovingly designed and created with the finest materials and unique details, this estate will captivate you just as this region captured the imagination of settlers like Jack London.
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