In Glen Ellen, California—a sleepy and sweet town with roughly 700 occupants in the heart of Sonoma County—a very special wine country escape has come to market. Designer Patrick Printy and his longtime partner, Dan Holland, created it from scratch, bringing together three parcels of land and building multiple structures over time to devise a 16-acre refuge rooted in timeless beauty. Their dreamy, bucolic compound is now for sale for the first time ever (fully-furnished!) asking $12 million.
The sellers mainly developed one of the land parcels, leaving the other two ripe for possibilities for additional buildings or amenities, such as an equestrian facility or working vineyard. Their custom, Dutch Colonial-inspired main house is the property’s clear showstopper with its unique design nodding to the homes of South Africa’s wine region.
The couple explains, “We had spent a lot of time in the Netherlands and on a trip to South Africa fell in love with how the urban architecture of Holland was translated to the rural landscape of the winelands there. Given the vegetation and flora are similar to that of Sonoma, we felt that this would blend well with the area.”
With the architectural style in place, they carefully collected elements for the interiors to build warm character that looks like it has existed for ages. Materials like reclaimed oak flooring and beams from Midwestern barns, handcrafted Dutch cabinetry by Johannes Van Mourik, authentic Dutch ‘Witjes’ tile, and hand-painted terracotta play a key role in the lived-in feel. “Our favorite compliment is when people come over and are surprised to learn the house isn’t a hundred years old,” they shared.
Contemporary artwork and occasional pops of color and pattern add moments of surprise to the three-bedroom abode, but its mood stays consistently calm. A pool, pool house, and patios with stonework and landscaping straight out of a Nancy Meyers movie await outside while an barn-style structure nearby offers dual functionality as a garage, guest apartment, and home office.
It’s rare to see a designer’s own custom-built estate up for sale, especially fully furnished. Tina Shone of Sotheby’s International Realty holds the listing. However, if it doesn’t quite fit your needs or your budget, designer Ken Fulk’s cherished wine country residence is on the market just an hour away for $4.5 million.
