Fox Run Phase 2

Sonoma, California

For the second phase of this project, the adjacent property was developed to house the owner’s home office, wine cave, and tennis court, with its own gated entry.  The entry structure continues the same pallet of Syar stone veneer walls and rusty mild steel used at the main property, with the gate design playing off the railing design at the new office.  Ancient olives underplanted with ornamental grasses set the rural rustic tone.  Midway up the drive an overflow parking area at the water storage tanks features a small terrace in the shade of a mature Coast Live Oak overlooking the vineyards.  Embankments cut into the native stone for the former house are highlighted with deer grass and cobble mulch from the cave spoils.

The contemporary home office serves double duty as the south portal to the wine cave, and features a terrace with outdoor kitchen surrounded by vineyard and overlooking the valley.  The building and loop drive/fire access were carefully sited to preserve native rock outcroppings and the few oaks remaining post-fire.  Additional specimen evergreen and deciduous oaks underplanted with ornamental grasses, flowering perennials, and native shrubs create a foreground garden in what was once a dusty construction staging area.  Gravel paths with stone steps forged from cave spoils, Syar stone veneer walls, and Beaver Creek limestone paving tie this phase of work to the original phase 1 residence, guest house, bocce court, barn, and play area.

Where the wine cave emerges from the hill on the north side, a terrace created from compacted cave spoils features exceptional views of the nearby seasonal creek, a small shaded seating area midcourt, and custom designed stadium seating with moveable drink stands and a retractable shade canopy at one end.

 

Architecture: Neil Peoples Architecture

Construction: Reiter Fine Homes

Landscape Installation: Frank & Grossman Landscape Contractors

Photography: Eileen Roche Photography