4128 Happy Valley Road

A Country Estate With Vineyard

This manicured estate features grounds and views like few others.  The home rests on 6 acres of impeccably groomed land, with unobstructed views of Las Trampas Ridge and Happy Valley below.  Surrounding the home are towering redwoods, Japanese maples, palms, a vineyard with 55 Pinot Noir vines, and countless other species of flora.  The estate sits above the winter Happy Valley fog and offers the perfect microclimate for citrus, avocados, kiwis, bananas, plums, and grapes.  An elite drainage system protects the grounds:  Brick walkways and terraces take water from throughout the property to the road below.

Wide decks, a spacious gazebo, sitting areas, and a small cottage (which can be configured as a children’s playroom or an office), provide all manner of venues for entertaining or simply enjoying nature.  Pathways lead residents and visitors from one yard feature to the next, and ornate streetlights illuminate the grounds from dusk until dawn.  Outdoor entertaining is equally easy on the other side of the home, with extensive deck space adjoining the 60-foot, 2-lane lap pool.  The upper end of the spacious grounds has utilities (gas, electricity, and sewer, with a water tower), making that portion of the land possible for development.

The home was thoughtfully and tastefully designed by esteemed local architect Maryanne Mueller, with both functionality and entertaining in mind.  The floor plan flows easily from inside to outside spaces, with brick patios, decks, or walkways off almost every room.

Elevated beamed ceilings can be found throughout, especially in the large living room near the front door, the family room just a few stairs above, and the formal dining room.  Arched windows in the dining room and living room add elegance and supply abundant light.  A spacious fenced deck off the family room invites indoor-outdoor entertaining in warm weather, and multiple large fireplaces (especially the floor-to-ceiling fireplace in the living room) will comfortably ward off any winter chill.  The kitchen has both a breakfast bar and adjoining nook for casual dining, with views of the back yard and pool.  A butler’s pantry (with a large extra oven, sizeable food-preparation counters, and ample cabinetry) sits adjacent.  Work from home is easy in the office (with built-in cabinetry and file space) just steps away from the kitchen.  Two wine cellars and tasting rooms downstairs can accommodate hundreds of bottles, near the large basement/storage area (equipped with electricity and water).

The home offers five bedrooms, four of which (including the principal suite) are exceptionally spacious.  The fifth bedroom, originally added as an au pair suite, has a private entrance, bathroom, and sitting area. The four oversized bedrooms lie upstairs, adjoining a sitting area at the top of the stairs (which provides views of and access to the deck and gardens).  The four upstairs bedrooms are served by three bathrooms. The primary suite has the best views in the house from an oversized balcony.  That suite also offers a walk-in closet, a sunning porch/balcony, a bathroom with Jacuzzi tub and walk-in shower, and a double-sink vanity.

One enters the home up a driveway amply removed from Happy Valley Road.  A 3-car garage (with a 50-amp/240-volt outlet) provides substantial parking and storage space, and one can enter the house through the garage to avoid inclement weather.  Beautiful cobblestone walls and accents greet guests from the entrance to the estate, up the newly paved driveway, to the tiled steps of the front veranda. 

The acclaimed Happy Valley Elementary School is just down the street, and the bus stop to transport students to Stanley Middle School and Acalanes High School is even closer than that.  Happy Valley Road leads further down to Lafayette’s exceptional restaurants and shopping.  The 24 freeway is easily accessible, and yet the estate has no freeway noise.  Residents will live in a pastoral retreat, but also enjoy exceptional access to the best features of life in Lamorinda.