In the northern backcountry of California, architecture often behaves like a guest—respectful of the land, attentive to the light, tuned to the slow cadences of ridgeline and ravine. This is a region where old cattle roads curl into forests of live oak and redwood, where the wind doesn’t scatter but sculpts, and where estate homes appear more as discoveries than declarations. The landscapes of Nicasio, Byron, Sonoma, and the hills above Santa Rosa offer settings so innately compelling that design becomes a kind of deference.
Here, a modern compound near Sonoma unfolds across 144 protected acres like a glass soliloquy, each line drawn to accentuate the terrain rather than tame it. In Nicasio, an Arts & Crafts retreat gathers its gravitas from timber, stone, and the orchard air that moves through French doors and open halls. Byron brings the elemental vigor of the delta—sun, soil, and spaciousness—into a working vineyard estate with a private baseball field and tasting center built for long afternoons. Santa Rosa’s Shiloh Estates, nestled in the high folds of wine country, balances architectural sophistication with a painter’s attention to the way hills catch dusk.
These homes are studies in restraint and resonance. Each one, in its own way, reads the quiet topography like a poem and responds with a verse of stone, wood, and light.
1. Sonoma Estate on 144 Acres
This 8,566 square foot modern estate in Sonoma, built in 2006 and priced at $8,500,000, features four bedrooms and six bathrooms across 144+ acres of private, natural terrain. Designed by Geddes Ulinskas and Thad Geldert, the home includes two primary suites, a chef’s kitchen, media room, gym, sauna, pools, and an 800 square foot screened porch.
Constructed with stone, glass, and steel, the property also offers a private pond, olive and fruit groves, and is surrounded by 3,000 acres of protected habitat, just 7 miles from Sonoma Plaza.
Where is Sonoma, CA?
Sonoma is a city in Sonoma County, California, located about 45 miles north of San Francisco in the heart of Wine Country. It was the site of the 1846 Bear Flag Revolt, a key event in California’s path to statehood. The town’s central plaza is surrounded by historic buildings, shops, and tasting rooms. Sonoma is also a hub for wine production, agriculture, and outdoor recreation.
Living Room
Tall glass panels frame the expansive living room, bringing in a view of trees and distant mountains. Warm-toned stone walls and wood flooring wrap around two distinct seating areas featuring plush chairs and sofas. A sculptural wood installation creates a dramatic divide between the lounge and dining spaces.
Kitchen
Smooth stone counters and rich wood cabinetry define the kitchen space, with dual islands at the center. Built-in appliances and open shelving stretch across the walls under a canopy of recessed lights. Large windows and sliding doors connect the space to the outdoors.
Media Room
Bookshelves cover both long walls of the library, filled with books and decorative pieces. Recliner-style chairs with trays are arranged in a semi-circle, suggesting a home theater experience. Full-height windows offer a dramatic view of the hills just outside.
Bedroom
Glass doors open the bedroom to a balcony overlooking lush green hills. A bed sits between twin nightstands while an oversized wardrobe anchors the opposite wall. Seating by the window offers a quiet view of the landscape.
Bathroom
Marble surfaces and deep golden tones surround the bathroom, where a soaking tub is integrated into a built-in platform. A wide vanity with extensive cabinetry spans one wall beneath a band of mirrors. Large windows bring in natural light beside the shower and tub area.
Listing agent: Aaron Kopelman of Sotheby’S International Realty, info provided by Coldwell Banker Realty
2. Arts & Crafts Retreat on 40 Acres
Tucked into a private valley of redwood hills and rolling meadows, this 6,995 square foot estate offers seven bedrooms and five bathrooms on 40 acres just 45 minutes from San Francisco.
Built in 2008, the main Arts & Crafts-style residence features four bedrooms, a grand living space with stone fireplace, a soapstone kitchen, and multiple French doors opening to gardens and a pool. A single-level mid-century modern guest house adds three more bedrooms, while the property includes a pool cabana, equestrian facilities, fruit orchards, and miles of trails and creeks for serene, elevated living.
Where is Nicasio, CA?
Nicasio is a rural community in Marin County, California, located west of San Rafael in the rolling hills of West Marin. It features a small town center with a church, post office, and the historic Rancho Nicasio roadhouse. The area is known for ranching, open space, and scenic drives. Nicasio Reservoir nearby offers limited recreation and supports local water supply.
Living Room
Framed by multiple wood-trimmed French doors and windows, the living room opens to a forested landscape. A stone fireplace anchors the far wall with leather and fabric seating arranged around a central trunk table. Plants and layered textiles bring warmth to the clean lines and neutral walls.
Kitchen
Wood cabinetry wraps around the kitchen with glass-front uppers and marble-look countertops. A dark stone island with seating forms the core, under two geometric pendant lights. Sliding doors connect the space to the outdoors, allowing sunlight to flood in from both sides.
Bedroom
Sunlight spills through clerestory and French doors in this primary bedroom with vaulted ceilings. A canopy bed sits angled to capture the surrounding views, framed by multiple windows. A collection of furniture in wood tones complements the light walls and floors.
Bathroom
White tiled walls and vaulted ceilings enclose the bathroom’s walk-in shower. A built-in bathtub beneath a curtained window adds a secondary bathing space. Light fixtures and chrome fittings bring a modern edge to the soft traditional surfaces.
Pool Area
Chairs and loungers gather around a rectangular swimming pool lined with brick paving. A shaded pergola with white curtains sits to the side, offering a second seating area. Trees and shrubs create privacy while framing a quiet hillside backdrop.
Listing agents: Lotte And Sarah of Compass, info provided by Coldwell Banker Realty
3. Wine Country Lifestyle
Set on 12 acres in Shiloh Estates, this 8,817 square foot estate built in 2003 is priced at $6,750,000 and includes six bedrooms and seven bathrooms across a main residence, guest house, and additional structures.
The property features a five-bedroom main home with a media room, wine storage, chef’s kitchen, and a luxurious main-level primary suite, alongside a detached one-bedroom guest house, gym/yoga studio, and three-car garage.
Outdoor amenities include a pool, dining pergola, pizza oven, bocce court, and an entertainment terrace with lake views near the Mayacama Golf Resort.
Where is Santa Rosa, CA?
Santa Rosa is the largest city in Sonoma County, California, located about 55 miles north of San Francisco. It serves as a commercial and cultural hub for the North Bay and Wine Country regions. The city is home to the Charles M. Schulz Museum, several parks, and nearby wineries. Santa Rosa has a mix of suburban neighborhoods, historic districts, and agricultural surroundings.
Living Room
Opened to the backyard with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, the living room centers around a large beige sectional and coordinated accent seating. Ceiling beams create a grid pattern overhead, and a dark blue area rug anchors the arrangement. The space flows seamlessly toward an outdoor seating area and pool view.
Dining Area
Positioned alongside the open glass wall facing the patio, the dining room holds a long wooden table with ten upholstered chairs. A second dining set is placed just outside under a matching beamed roof extension. The room’s high ceiling and wood floors continue the seamless connection between indoor and outdoor space.
Bedroom
Outfitted with a plush bed and upholstered armchairs, the primary bedroom features a built-in media wall and fireplace across from the bed. Coffered ceiling and wall-to-wall carpeting provide warmth, while three windows open to a serene view of rolling hills. The neutral tones and furniture arrangement emphasize comfort and space.
Bathroom
Placed beside a large glass shower, the freestanding bathtub sits on a smooth tiled floor with a wooden stool and mounted robe hooks nearby. Pendant lights drop over the tub, and a large abstract painting hangs above. Cabinets and built-ins along the walls add modern storage in soft wood tones.
Pool Area
Framed by trees and hillside views, the outdoor pool area includes a rectangular swimming pool bordered by pale stone tiles. A wooden pergola sits at one end with four striped lounge chairs arranged beneath it. Landscaping lines the wall on the left, with hedges and flowering plants creating a tiered garden edge.
Listing agents: Mary Anne Veldkamp, Sheri Morgensen of Coldwell Banker Realty, Sotheby’S International Realty, info provided by Coldwell Banker Realty
4. Vineyard Estate
Built in 2006 and spanning 4,498 square feet, this custom estate is set on 44 acres and priced at $8,488,000. The property includes four bedrooms and four bathrooms, with 30 acres of grapevines, five acres of olive trees, a 7,855 square foot event center and tasting room, and a private baseball field.
Additional amenities include 5,282 square feet of garage space and 2,295 square feet of covered porches and loggias, combining refined living with expansive recreational and entertaining features.
Where is Byron, CA?
Byron is an unincorporated community in eastern Contra Costa County, California, located near the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta. It was once a stop on the old railroad line and is known for the Byron Hot Springs, a historic site with past resort fame. The area is mostly rural, with agriculture and open land surrounding the town. Byron also lies near the entrance to the Altamont Pass wind farms.
Living Room
Tall ceilings and a wood accent wall define the living room, anchored by a stone fireplace with a mounted television. French doors and surrounding windows bring in natural light and open up to the outdoor patio. Leather sofas and a circular coffee table complete the seating arrangement.
Kitchen
Large center island with marble countertop dominates the kitchen, surrounded by white cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. Pendant lighting hangs over the island, while multiple windows provide views of the yard. Tile floors and detailed backsplash add subtle texture to the design.
Dining Room
Rustic-style dining room features a long wooden table beneath a rectangular crystal chandelier. One wall is clad in stacked stone and displays a horse painting, while glass doors lead out to the garden. A sideboard cabinet and wine rack complete the layout.
Loft
Sloped ceiling and dormer window identify this cozy upper-level loft or bonus room. Sectional seating surrounds a coffee table, with accent chairs and side tables filling out the space. Warm lighting and neutral tones create a relaxed retreat.
Pool Area
Rectangular swimming pool extends toward a covered lounge area with umbrellas, loungers, and shaded seating. The pool is bordered by a wide concrete deck and surrounded by mature landscaping and trees. A two-story house with exterior staircase overlooks the pool zone.
Listing agents: Ginamarie Olson, Wesley Olson of Wr Properties, info provided by Coldwell Banker Realty
