Bennett Vista Place is a newly created lane which offers access to four exclusive lots which rest on Bennett Peak. The overall property borders Annadel State Park, one of the community’s most important recreational resources. 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.

The location is quite special, being less than 10 minutes to the nearest gourmet grocery store and to an everyday shopping center, also 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 two of the four lots will be sold as the owner will keep the others and plans to build an estate home for himself there. Lot 1 is the jewel in the crown, being a very high quality 40 acre estate lot which offers both jaw-dropping views and very usable land. These two qualities are seldom found in the same parcel. It is a very private, end of the lane location with no access easements for others to cross through.

The lot starts with a fairly level bench which borders the vineyards of Matanzas Creek Winery. This comprises approximately 12-15 acres of the 40 acre lot. This area would be ideal for horses or possibly a small vineyard. As you move up the slope, the topography changes to become a lovely oak forest. The land is not too steep to have a path or quad track on it, so it is traversable. About half way up the slope, the forest gives way to a beautiful ridge and is capped by a grassy knoll.

The ridge offers several gorgeous building site options which are south facing, enjoying lots of sun. 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 a 100 year old barn and crosses near the base of the other three lots (the building envelopes for these are not obviously visible from the road so it feels very private). The pavement ends at the lot line, which is fairly close to the most likely building sites. 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 7 bedroom septic system in 2014. 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. Bennett Valley is home to many high quality horse farms and Bennett Valley Road is an easy route to take for access to Jack London State Park and 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. In fact, the famous Jackson Family Ranch (Kendall Jackson’s private park) is visible from the ridge. A soils report suggests that 4-5 acres of lot 1 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, (subject to the HOA agreement which has not yet been finalized).

Within this zoning classification, you are allowed one main home of any size, one second unit, not to exceed 840 square feet and a guest house, of no more than 640 square feet.

The Community

Bennett Vista is going to have a small Home Owner’s Association (HOA) to insure that there is common use of the four estates and to formalize agreements about maintaining the new road, gate, water system, etc. At this time we have no more detail than that, but commercial activity on the property will probably not be allowed. This HOA will be finalized and available for approval by the buyers prior to close of escrow.

  • 40 acres +/- with commanding Bennett Valley views
  • Paved road access, underground utilities, water, 7 bedroom perc
  • 15-20 acres +/- usable for horses or vineyards
  • Near Annadel State Park with 40 miles of trails