We had the privilege of collaborating with a world-renowned winemaker to design the gardens surrounding her estate in Napa Valley. The property’s historic 1880s home, originally built by pioneering winery owner Josephine Tychson, was lovingly restored by the current owner, with interiors exquisitely updated by the talented Christine Markatos. The owners, who frequently entertain, will offer their guests a tour of the estate, so the landscape was crafted as a cinematic journey through a series of thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces.

The experience begins at an overlook, where guests enjoy a glass of wine before moving through the vineyard, then into a vibrant, textural meadow dotted with fruit trees. A path leads through a serene shade garden, where dappled light filters through, leading to a planted rockery made from stones collected on-site. The tour culminates in a stone-walled courtyard, an intimate after-dinner lounge complete with a custom-designed water feature and fire feature fashioned from an ancient horse trough. This courtyard serves as a tranquil gathering space, a safe retreat within the still-wild landscape beyond. The project has been featured in Luxe San Francisco.