LOCATION:

Located high on Howell Mountain Road in the eastern hills above Napa Valley, Timberlane Ranch is only 15-20 minutes drive from St. Helena for shopping and gourmet dining, 5-7 minutes drive from the Angwin airport, 35-40 minutes from Napa airport, and 1.5 hours drive from San Francisco via the Bay Bridge.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Timberlane Ranch is to experience a visit to Muir Woods or a mountain retreat in a vast canvas covering almost 700 deeded acres, the upper portions of which lie in the hallowed “Howell Mountain Appellation”, revered for its rare varietals. One arrives at the front gate and proceeds via private paved road for about one half mile through a forested canopy of fir, bay, madrone and redwood trees. The road then turns east where the magnificent forest setting gives way to an open meadow punctuated by a small orchard of cherry, pear, apricot, apple and fig trees which introduce the main compound.

A circular driveway arrives at a wisteria-draped arbor in front of immaculate lawns, flower beds, and carefully maintained landscaped grounds all with sweeping views to the East overlooking Pope Valley miles below. Immediately on the right is an 1850s stone building, once a post office, and now a charming guest house with bedroom, bath, full kitchen and living room. To the left down a short pathway lies the understated owner’s 3 bedroom home done in a Cape Cod style with expansive decks and white wicker furniture for lazy afternoons savoring the views and redwood forest surrounding.

A horse barn and small hollow with walnut and peach orchards are a short walk to the north, while the meadow areas to the east open up to open fenced pastures for the horses. A third historic caretaker’s lodge built in the 1940s finishes the compound. Afternoons are often taken at the pool shaded by a charming grape arbor and more extensive landscaping all maintained in impeccable taste and style.

The ranch’s most unique features are its combination of ultra-exclusive “Howell Mountain Appellation” and miles and miles of trails for hiking, mountain bikes and horseback riding. Elevations range from 900 ft. at the eastern end of the ranch up to 1,800 ft. at the upper western reaches. Blessed by a scenic wonderland of endless forests, it is easy to see why it was a popular guest ranch into the early part of the last century and remains today a hidden secret of probably the most scenic ranch in all of Napa County.

LOCALE AND HISTORY:

In the late 1800s, Timberlane was a summer resort for guests taking the train from San Francisco to St. Helena, where they were picked up by horse drawn carriage and brought to the ranch. In those days guests stayed in tent cabins with a main building with kitchen, dining and living room facilities and also a large log cabin for recreation. The guests would head for the swimming pool after the long dusty drive, then located at the edge of the trees in the lower orchard. Its remains can be found today. The oldest building dating back to the Civil War days was the post office for the resort and is the present day guest house, made of hand hewn slabs of sandstone taken from the ranch.

The resort was destroyed by fire in the late 1920s, after which the proprietor, Mr. Woodworth, built a new house which is the core of the present day caretaker’s lodge built with much of the lumber from the tent platforms. The final survivor, Mrs. Woodworth, then sold the ranch to the Ford family in the late 1940s, at which time Mr. Ford completely rebuilt the Woodworth house in the style of a lodge. Mr. Ford had been an executive with Schlumberge.

In 1987, Mr. Ford sold to the present owner, Ralph Ungermann, who built the Cape Cod style main house, remodeled the stone guest house, put in the new pool, and undertook extensive landscaping.

SOILS STUDY:

The ranch lies in both the Howell Mountain Appellation and Napa Appellation for soils. All land above 1,400 ft. elevation on the ranch is in the Howell Mountain Appellation, probably the most prestigious vineyard soils possible to purchase. (Click on "Topographic Map" at the top of the first page.) In 2006 an extensive soils study was completed which showed 188± acres on 15 degree or less slopes with the predominant soils type being Forward Gravelly Loam.

The Seller makes no representations or warrantees about the accuracy of these studies, nor the feasibility of planting vines on the ranch.

WATER AND WILDLIFE:

Timberlane Ranch is blessed with free flowing artesian springs which flow year around without regard to drought. Pipelines conduct the springs to holding tanks which gravity flow water to the compound. There is a small lake below the compound, fed by the springs which is a veritable congregation area for wildlife including, deer, bear, smaller mammals and a myriad of bird life drawn by the pristine environment and diversity of the ecological setting. The owner also drilled a productive well in the upper meadow, perfect for future vineyard irrigation. There is a Crop Care soils study on the upper parcels.

PRICE:

$15,200,000.00 all cash at closing

BROKER’S COMMENT:

There is no other ranch comparable to Timberlane in the greater Napa Valley. This is a property which can fulfill the dreams of growing only the highest quality grapes for premium varietal production, while offering an incomparable ecological setting with panoramic views for the outdoors enthusiast. It is like owning Muir Woods, but with expansive views, and quality setting in an understated serene environment. Truly its own private World.

NOTE: ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN WAS GATHERED BY SOURCES DEEMED RELIABLE; HOWEVER THE CHICKERING COMPANY MAKES NO GUARANTEES THERE AREN’T ERRORS OR OMISSIONS. WE URGE ALL INTERESTED BUYERS TO INDEPENDENTLY INVESTIGATE ALL ITEMS OF IMPORTANCE.

OFFER IS SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, PRIOR SALE, CHANGE, OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE, AND APPROVAL OF SALE BY OWNER.

For further information or a private showing contact Nick Chickering at (530) 913-3705 or Terry Hundemer at (530) 913-8095

The Chickering Company, 530-265-5774.

NOTE: The above mentioned and enclosed information may be subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. We urge all interested parties to independently verify all items of importance.