Walk Through This Stunning Healdsburg Wine Country Home

By Michael McCarthy By Michael McCarthy | March 11, 2025 | Home & Real Estate, Feature,

A new wine country home in Healdsburg becomes a sanctuary for a San Francisco couple.

The architectural team created a masterpiece of light that is sited on the property beautifully, as if it has stood in this space for decades.

THE PROJECT

The art of the getaway has been in the American consciousness for decades. It stems from the idea that there’s a place where our burdens lift as we align our minds with nature’s flow. The setting—from hidden lakes to untrammeled Pacific coastline— is everything

Well-known San Francisco land use attorneys had a similar dream. They yearned for a newly designed and constructed home in wine country that would be modern, inviting, casual and, above all, timeless.

THE TEAM

The couple chose Cass Calder Smith, design principal at Cass Calder Smith Architecture + Interiors (casscaldersmith.com), for the project. Smith, who notes his aesthetic is distinctly modern, knows the clients well; he previously renovated their San Francisco residence and apartment in New York City.

“As an architect who draws and sketches, my approach to working with clients is collaborative,” says Smith, whose clients review drawings as the design develops. “I work on establishing the house’s shape and size—and how it’s sited. From there, I work room by room. Maximizing the indoor-outdoor connections and the views are central to many decisions.”

The cozy living room boasts indoor-outdoor fabric from Cassina, a Calacatta marble coffee table from Minotti and a leather-upholstered lounge chair and ottoman from Walter Knoll.

THE DESIGN

The new 2,200-square-foot home, replacing a small cottage while preserving the existing pool and pool house, is designed to maximize vineyard and hillside views. Large sliding glass doors in the open-concept kitchen, dining and living areas seamlessly connect to a deck and outdoor lounging spaces. Expansive overhangs, supported by sleek steel columns lined with clear cedar, provide shade for effortless indoor-outdoor living. Warm tones of western red cedar line the ceilings, enhancing the home’s natural elegance.

The exterior reflects the home’s natural aesthetic. The design team chose smooth cement plaster, aluminum-framed glass doors and wood decking. Thoughtful landscaping preserves the area’s beauty, integrating heritage oaks and newly planted fruit trees to anchor the structure in its surroundings.

LIVING & DINING ROOMS

An organic feel radiates throughout the home, with wide-plank oak flooring, painted wood finishes and fine art pieces from luminaries like Donald Judd (juddfoundation.org).

“The furniture reflects a midcentury modern feel,” says the firm’s interior designer, Barbara Turpin-Vickroy. “Finishes are simple, warm, neutral and casual to emphasize indoor and outdoor connection and the natural environment.”

Standout elements include a sectional upholstered in indoor-outdoor fabric from Cassina (cassina.com), a Calacatta marble coffee table from Minotti (minotti.com), a leather-upholstered lounge chair and ottoman from Walter Knoll (@walterknoll_ official), a walnut and metal credenza from Croft House (crofthouse.com) and an indoor-outdoor area rug from Woven Designs (wovendesignssf.com).

The dining room invites countless gatherings. It features a large, black-stained table with a Lazy Susan, leather dining chairs from Walter Knoll and a gorgeous pendant from Bocci (bocci.com).

The 2,200-square-foot home sits alongside a lovely pool and patio, which is perfect for entertaining guests to Sonoma’s wine country.

KITCHEN

The home’s hub benefits from Henrybuilt (henrybuilt.com) cabinetry, Sub- Zero (subzero-wolf.com) appliances, a Gaggenau (gaggenau.com) downdraft and California Faucets (calfaucets.com) fixtures. The design team chose polished Bianco Lasa Fantastico marble for durability and beauty for the backsplash and island.

PRIMARY SUITE

This sanctuary-inside-a-sanctuary provides a dreamy respite with endless views and privacy. The room features a leather-upholstered bed from Poltrona Frau (poltronafrau.com), a lounge chair from Lema (lemamobili.com), nightstands and a dresser from Skram Furniture (skramfurniture.com).

The adjoining bath feels like a wine-country spa, especially the vanity cabinetry from Henry Built topped with Gris Argent limestone, Savoy Mosaic Color Cottonwood tile from Ann Sacks (@annsacks) and sconce lighting from Articolo (articolostudios.com).

HOW THE HOME IS LIVING

“They very much are enjoying the retreat from their busy lives on both coasts,” says Smith, who proved that the perfect getaway lifts burdens, large and small, no matter where you find it.

The bath features Henry Built cabinetry, Gris Argent limestone, Ann Sacks tile and Articolo sconces.