Bennett Vista Place is a newly created lane which offers access to four exclusive lots which rest on Bennett Peak. The overall property borders the Trione-Annadel State Park, one of the community’s most important recreational resources. Trione-Annadel offers over 40 miles of multi-user trails for horse riding, mountain biking and hiking. Bennett Valley is a highly desirable pocket of Sonoma County, which borders charming Glen Ellen, just minutes from the plaza in the town of Sonoma. The weather is warm with morning and evening breezes which roll through the valley.

This location is quite special, being less than 10 minutes to the nearest gourmet grocery store and shopping center, approximately 10 minutes to highways 12 and 101 and 20 minutes to the Sonoma County Airport. We are also less than 60 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge, making this an exceptionally easy commute or second home location.

The Parcel

Only one lot remains as one was sold off market and the owners will keep the other two. They plan to build an estate home for themselves there. Lot 4 is a very high quality 40 acre estate which offers jaw-dropping views and very usable land. These two qualities are seldom found in the same parcel!

The lot starts with a level meadow with an old 100+ year old barn on it.  Approximately 8-10 acres of the parcel is relatively level to gently rolling pasture. This area would be ideal for horses or possibly a small vineyard. As you move up the hill, you have your choice of several beautiful spots with good views, on which to build a home and guest house.  A pretty winter creek runs through the property and is surrounded by beautiful oak and bay trees. This woodsy portion of the property is stunningly wild.

The building sites are all south facing and enjoy good sun exposure. All benefit from the amazing views of Sonoma Mountain. We have already created some windows through the oaks to open up the views without removing too many of these beautiful, specimen quality trees. There are several options for locating your dream home up here and room for good separation between the main home and guest house as well as ample area for a pool/ entertainment pavilion – all of which include the view!

Ready to Build

While this sale is subject to the finalization of the lot split (which is imminent) the owner has put in extensive infrastructure to make this a really turnkey building opportunity. A paved road goes up past the barn and comes direct to this parcel. Underground utilities are in place, offering electricity, natural gas, cable and phone lines. There is a mutual water system with two wells which will be shared by all parcels. The wells have ample production and good water quality. This parcel was perc tested for a 3 bedroom septic system many years ago but based on recent findings, we believe this capacity will be increased. Upon completion, there will be an estate gate at the entry to the subdivision.

Equestrian and Vineyard Potential

Due to its proximity to parks with riding trails and the level meadow land, we believe this parcel offers the potential to become a premier equestrian estate. There is ample room for stables, an arena and good soils, good drainage and pasture for turnout. A trail is being constructed which will enable direct riding, hiking and biking access to the border with Trione-Annadel State Park, offering unparalleled riding trails to this unique parcel. Bennett Valley is home to many high quality horse farms and an easy route to take for access to Jack London State Park and also the new Sonoma Mountain Regional Park, which connects to it. These two parks will ultimately connect up to Mount Taylor Regional Park as well, and are part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail network.  All this gives Bennett Vista an unusually high Horse Score!

The parcel is also suitable for a small vineyard, according to a suitability analysis conducted by Vineyard Soil Technologies, out of Napa. Indeed, much of Bennett Valley is home to vineyards, both small and large. The famous Jackson Family Ranch (Kendall Jackson’s private park) is visible from the ridge. A soils report suggests that about 8-9 acres of lot 4 is probably suitable for planting. So you could grow, harvest and even sell your grapes to one of the many ultra-premium wineries in the area. Perhaps it’s time to create your own personal wine brand?

Zoning

The property is zoned RRD (Resources & Rural Development) which is a very generous zoning classification. RRD allows for residential use but is also used to enable rural land to be protected from large scale development. Agriculture is, for the most part, encouraged on these parcels and so crops and animals can be grown and bred here.

Within this zoning classification, you are allowed one main home of any size, one second unit, not to exceed 1,000 square feet as well as an additional a guest house, of no more than 640 square feet.

The Community

Bennett Vista is going to have some CCRs (Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions) to insure that there is common use of the four estates and to formalize agreements about maintaining the new road, gate, shared water system, etc. These are being finalized now and will be available for approval by the buyers prior to close of escrow.

NOTE: The description herein is given and to the best of our knowledge, is factually correct. However, it is the Buyers’ responsibility to verify everything contained here and to ensure that the property will be suitable for their personal use.