The owners of Carmel Valley's Stonepine Estate stay true to a mission of wowing guests and preserving the land.

Stonepine’s Chateau Noel

On a Friday night in July, I dined with Stonepine Estate (stonepineestate.com) owners Gordon and Noel Hentschel on a covered stone patio alongside their sprawling Carmel Valley mansion dubbed Chateau Noel—built in 1929. A string of lights illuminated the lawn, and a fire crackled in a hearth a few feet from our table. After a few glasses of wine and a great meal from executive chef Eugenia Badica, I asked the type of open-ended Simon Sinek question that caps a memorable evening: What’s your why?

The property’s vintage Rolls Royce is the perfect fodder for Instagram grids and reels.

“It’s about the land,” said Gordon, who, along with his wife, purchased the 407-acre property 40 years ago this year. “All across America, exceptional properties like this are often sold and divided into parcels for development. We would never allow that here. We’re stewards of this place.”

Noel zeroed in on another factor: peace. “In a world that’s busy and pulling at us, this is an escape,” she said. “We believe it’s also essential to be part of the community. So we give back to honor doctors, nurses and Gold Star families.”

Ancient oaks shade Stonepine’s pool.

Way up here along the Carmel River, there’s a special feeling among the undulating hills populated with oaks, sycamore, pines and olive trees. The Estate features an eight-room chateau and three full-service private homes: the two-bedroom Hermes House (Brad Pitt favored this hideaway before recently buying a $40 million Carmel Highlands property), the two-bedroom Briar Rose Cottage and the four-bedroom New England-style Paddock House. Guests also will discover nearly four miles of hiking trails, classic gardens, a vintage pool, a four-hole practice golf course and the Waterfall Pavilion—one of the best places to chill I’ve encountered this year.

For those planning weddings or corporate retreats, Stonepine offers an Instagram-ready setting for events of any size (don’t miss the vintage Rolls Royce parked in front). “We give planning teams lots of flexibility,” said Noel.

Oak, crafted in the 18th century, lines the property’s chateau.

As guests cruise up the driveway leading to the Chateau, they’ll pass Double H Ranch, once the oldest thoroughbred racing farms west of the Mississippi (Kentucky Derby winner Majestic Prince, among others, worked out here). The ranch still buzzes with activity. The day I toured the property, teenage riders practiced on the expansive race course, and local horse owners tended to their mares and colts (the ranch boasts a 50-horse boarding capacity).

The living room boasts art from San Francisco artists.

The Hentschels graciously walked me through the chateau, revealing hidden walls leading to a speakeasy tucked behind 18th-century oak and gorgeous works from San Francisco artists Alan Malay and Dong Kingman. They also shared honey and olive oil crafted from the property’s bounty—simple pleasures derived from a treasured place. Noel sensed my awe. “It’s a step back in time to see this area as it once was,” she said. “Guests use Stonepine to achieve a sense of renewal.”