Orchard House

Bennett Valley, California

This guesthouse and garden occupy a reconstructed knoll set amid 17 acres of biodynamically farmed vineyard in Sonoma County’s Bennett Valley.

The original windmill was restored, and a round cedar hot tub reminiscent of a ranch water tank complete with antique hand pump, nestles into the veranda outside the bedrooms.

Native Sonoma fieldstone cleared from the vineyards on site was used for rustic pathway steps and walls at the fire pit terrace, where a recreated root cellar provides storage. The custom steel and board-formed concrete fire pit and seat wall invite guests to sit and enjoy incredible sunset views across the vineyard.

In a nod to the property’s former life as a production apple orchard, a grove of specimen apple trees, figs, and persimmons were reintroduced. Elsewhere, an insectary garden of native shrubs, perennials and grasses was introduced to attract beneficial insects and birds to the garden and vineyard.

 

Architecture:  Cahill Studio Sonoma

Construction:  Gracie Construction

Landscape Construction:  Carlos Landscape, Inc.

Photography:  Courtesy of Beautiful Places