Situated in California’s Sonoma Valley, Chateau
St. Jean is located at the edge of the winery’s
vineyards, nestled at the base of a series of low hills
dotted with oaks and redwoods. The existing complex
is composed of the winery building, a small circa 1900
Mediterranean-style villa, and a visitor parking lot.
The owner’s directive was to create a series
of gardens that are interesting not only for the winery’s
visitors, but also to those who just enjoy visiting
gardens. The gardens are also settings for private
wine tastings and dinners that are held frequently
to showcase Chateau St. Jean wines.
The rural setting inspired the design concept for
the gardens - the rustic gardens of the country villas
of Tuscany, Italy, a region famous for its gastronomy.
The gardens have formal parterres, a rose garden,
and a hidden bamboo garden folly. The connection between
the “good life” represented by the villa
and its gardens, food as cuisine, and fine wine, is
manifested in a small demonstration vineyard, and
an herb and vegetable garden adjacent to the main
parterre. The produce from the gardens will be used
by the winery chef in preparation of the food that
is served at dinners and tastings. Olin Partnership
designed the plantings, parterre garden pergola, fountains,
cypress arches, and selected the garden furnishings
and decorative elements.
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