An Influential Publisher’s Custom-Built Wine Country Estate Wants $7.7M

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A modern wine country estate has come to market, owned and built by the late Robert Ellis. Ellis, who passed away last year, was known for founding Compact Publishing, a pioneer in CD multimedia which eventually sold to the Learning Company in 1995, as well as building an early internet start-up. Unsurprisingly with this resume, he lived in San Francisco and eventually found a great love for Sonoma, creating this home fro scratch as his sanctuary. Now, it’s come to market for $7.695 million.

Set on 37 acres that brim with vineyards, the 4,200-square-foot residence was designed by Mahoney & Piechota Architects with the intention of blending gracious indoor-outdoor living with intentional, refined design—something the home beautifully encapsulates from the moment you step through the front door. Vasts walls of glass ensure that spectacular valley views are visible from nearly every room, with sights stretching all the way to Mt. Tamalpais.

When it comes to the home’s interior style, it leans into warm modernism rather than flashy, over-the-top finishes. Open living spaces, clean architectural lines, and an abundance of natural light define the spaces. It’s also smart and sustainable with perks like auto shades and screens and solar power technology. In all, there are four bedrooms to retreat to, including a pristine primary suite that would be a dream to wake up in.

Some of the home’s most standout features await outside, however. A large pool, hot tub, tranquil pond, and detached art studio sit amidst elegant landscaping by Tammara Norman. Offering total seclusion in the nation’s most celebrated wine destination, it’s no wonder Ellis’s obituary described the residence as “his favorite place on Earth.”

Erin George and David Collins of Sotheby’s International Realty hold the listing.