Trophy Properties in Montecito, Santa Barbara, Napa, St. Barths and more

Sumptuous and sleek, these homes represent some of the most sought-after properties on the real estate market today.

By Monique Stringfellow and Kevin Lynch

$17.95 Million
Montecito

[highlight_text] There are additional structures aside from the main house. [/highlight_text]

Majestic 360-degree ocean, harbor, and mountain views abound from this well-appointed Montecito Mediterranean Villa located on a hilltop and set on more than three usable acres of beautifully landscaped lawns and superbly cultivated gardens. This elegant home features expansive public rooms, which are well-suited for hosting large dinners and parties. The breathtaking vistas can be enjoyed from most rooms, allowing you and your guests to put your hilltop placement to maximum advantage.

Each part of the house is notable for the kinds of rare details that testify to the uniqueness of the property. High coffered ceilings, handcrafted European finishes, elaborate Italian wrought-iron fixtures, hand-carved paneled mahogany doors, and oak plank floors bring a sense of Old World elegance to one of California’s most naturally beautiful towns. This use of luxurious materials lends the house a sense of permanence rarely found outside the great estates of Europe. Inlaid polished limestone floors extend from the grand entry to the sunroom, dining room, kitchen, and up the elaborate colonnade staircase on through the second floor gallery.

There are additional structures aside from the main house. The property features a separate one-bedroom guesthouse, a spacious detached office, a large pool with an extensive brick terrace, a tennis court with a cut-stone pavilion and brick observation deck, and garages for nine-plus cars.

Price: $17,950,000
Location: Montecito, CA
Realtor: Harry Kolb
Phone: 805.565.8627
Realty: Sotheby’s International Realty
Website: www.harrykolb.com

$35 Million
Montecito

The biggest draw of this Santa Barbara/Montecito property is its position high above the ocean. Situated in an elite neighborhood near the Four Seasons Biltmore, this estate provides opportunities for walks along the shoreline and the cliffs overlooking a grove of eucalyptus, pine, cypress, and palms.

Built in 1951, the home portrays the era’s chic charm and is perfect for those who appreciate easy living and classic American architecture. The expansive living room is certainly made for entertaining guests and the structure seems as if its made of light, which comes flooding in from its floor-to-ceiling windows as well as additional windows set just under the ceiling line, blurring the lines between inside and outdoors. The entire property has been thoughtfully arranged for maximum privacy while the height of the house makes window shades unnecessary.

The house is accessed via wide, pebbled stairs that appear to float above a reflecting pool lined with blue mosaic tiles. Positioned at the corner nearest to the sea, it links to a sunken dining area with a fire pit-a memorable extra feature.

Tree ferns, oaks, and a row of majestic Canary Island date palms along the cliffs form a breathtaking scene. One can relax to the gently breaking waves lapping the rocks below, breathe in the balmy air, and watch hummingbirds and woodpeckers flit through the garden. This is Santa Barbara living at its best.

Price: $35,000,000
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Realtor: Suzanne Perkins
Phone: 805.565.1214
Realty: Sotheby’s International Realty
Website: www.1086ChannelDrive.com
$30 Million
Casa Madrona

There are trophy properties and there are trophy properties; this falls into the latter category. Casa Madrona Boutique Hotel embodies sophistication and glamour, which results in the ultimate in luxury getaway destination.

The beautiful hotel interior is filled with terracotta, marble, and mahogany arches, yet the strength of this property is in its location, which allows the hotel to abound with waterfront views. This legendary locale demonstrates why visitors around the world make this area one of the top dream vacation spots, thanks to its proximity to haute locales like San Francisco and Sausalito.

Your future hotel guests will be welcomed to decompress in this luxury environment, which is encompassed by one of the most exclusive areas in the U.S. Casa Madrona offers near-instant access to the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Bay area, and a unique array of restaurants, luxury high-end boutiques, and a fabulous marina.

If you have always dreamed of being a restaurateur, this is your perfect chance: Casa Madrona is home to the Poggio, an Italian restaurant rated as one of the top 100 restaurants in Northern California. Characterized by its romantic atmosphere, Poggio offers both indoor and al fresco dining, complete with pristine views overlooking the marina. In addition, this astounding property can be converted for condominium development (subject to zoning approval).

Price: $30,000,000
Location: Sausalito, CA
Realtor: Cory Dishmon
Phone: 415.439.5311
Realty: Blue Realty Group Inc.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bluerealty.us
$20 Million
Cloverdale Ranch

This stunning property is located in the beautiful countryside of the best wine country in the United States-if not the world-Northern California’s Napa, Mendocino, and Sonoma Valley region. It is located one-and-a-half hours from the picturesque and cosmopolitan city of San Francisco, between Highways 101 and 128. A 2,800-acre Wine Country Ranch with two small houses, with over 60 acres of Zinfandel wine vineyards. Need we say more?

The varied terrain and features of the land make this a very special investment. The property is home to two lakes and four freshwater wells. The breadth of available space means you can use the land to best suit your needs; there is room for any number of opportunities. Build your dream home in the beautiful countryside of Mendocino or subdivide the property into as many as 34 lots for individual sale.

This is a unique opportunity for either investors looking to develop an utterly unique stretch of wine country or individuals interested in owning his or her own wine-producing vineyard. A referral fee of $400,000 U.S. or 2 percent of the sales price will be offered to brokers and realtors. This once-in-a-lifetime property will not stay on the market for long.

Price: $20,000,000
Location: Mendocino, CA
Realtor: Robert Lalanne
Phone: 415.439.5311
Realty: Blue Realty Group Inc.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bluerealty.us
€11.9 Million
Villa Sib Mmo

A view of St. Barths’ St. Jean beach is amazing enough, but add a view of Saline beach as well and you’ve got the best of both worlds. Villa SIB MMO features amazing views from each of its three bedrooms, which offer direct access to the pool. There are bathrooms to accommodate every bedroom, and dining areas are situated at the front and in the rear of the house. The rear of the estate features lush views of Saline and sits up to a dozen people, while the terrace sits eight at the front of the house.

The two brightly colored bedrooms at the front of the home are in traditional Caribbean hues of blue and orange. When you enter Villa SIB MMO, one bedroom is to the right and one is to the left-they are virtually identical, but the one on the right overlooks St. Jean. The master bedroom is located off the main room and is more traditional with golden hues, as well as a view of Saline. The large en suite bath with a rain head shower overlooks the turquoise waters of St. Jean.

The main living area consists of the living room and a gourmet kitchen, which has a free-form counter with all the amenities of a top-notch restaurant. This area exposes the northern and southern views of the island as well as the outdoor area. The pool area seen from the main space is large and is equipped with an outdoor shower, a barbecue grill, and enough space to accommodate all of your guests.

This spectacular property on St. Barths is also available to rent by the week exclusively through Wimco Villas at www.wimco.com.

Price: €11,900,000
Location: St. Barths
Realtor: Christian Wattiau
Phone: 590.590.29.88.91
Realty: Sibarth Real Estate
Website: www.sibarthrealestate.com
Email: [email protected]