The Villa
When Linda and Fred began to build the Villa on the hillside above Sunstone Winery in 1999, they intended it to be an extension of the principles upon which they’d built their life together. Originally conceived as a private home, the 8,500 square foot Villa now serves as an extension of the Sunstone Winery lifestyle by providing a culinary center to entertain guests.
On a trip to France, Fred and Linda discovered reclamation yards containing architectural remains of buildings in towns and humble villages in various regions of France, including Marseille and Provence, from which the artifacts were incorporated into the Villa. Forty-five 40,000-pound containers arrived on the Santa Ynez hilltop just off Refugio Road from 2001-2003.
Reclaimed materials, such as French limestone, hand-formed roof tiles, a fireplace from the Bordeaux region of France, enormous hand-hewn pine beams from Queen Victoria’s lavender factory, a prison cell door from Normandy constructed during Napoleon’s reign, and a thousand-year old limestone kitchen sink were all incorporated into their dream building. Walking through the Villa is an opportunity to see and touch pieces of history.
The Villa has five suites, each with private entrances and a view of the Santa Ynez mountains and Sunstone vineyards. A bit of moss is beginning to grow on the stone at the foot of the front door. Nature is putting its own mark on the Villa, as was intended. Fred and Linda Rice designed and built a house from which to watch the four seasons that will become even more beautiful with age, a living piece of history.
If you would like to visit the Villa at Sunstone for a site inspection or discuss the details of your wedding, rehearsal dinners, birthday or corporate dinners contact Annamarie Kostura at (800) 313-9463 ext. 244 or via email at events@sunstonewinery.com.
