Hear the bell ring at original 1910 schoolhouse, now a revamped CA wine country estate

An elegant and charming Northern California wine country home that was originally a 1910 schoolhouse has been excellently restored and modernized — and now the Sonoma Valley residence is for sale for $6.5 million.

Many of the home’s original design elements remain, adding “a touch of nostalgia” to the luxury property, according to the official property listing.

Perhaps the coolest detail to endure from the property’s early days is the still-functioning bell tower at the front of the house. Bell towers were prevalent in schoolhouse architecture in the early 1900s. Both functional and aesthetic, manually ringing the bell signaled the start and end of school sessions.

The steeple-style tower over the front porch isn’t the only traditional feature that remains from those school days.

“I love that the original elements have been preserved, such as the 12-foot ceilings, the school’s original chalkboard, the original windows and the hardwood floors,” said listing agent Caroline Sebastiani of Sotheby’s International Realty – Wine Country, Sonoma Brokerage. “These features offer a unique connection to the property’s past as a historic schoolhouse, giving it a distinct charm that is rare to find.”

The 4,500-square-foot main house is the centerpiece on the picturesque one-acre property at 1250 Lovall Valley Road in the city of Sonoma.

(See the video here)

The home includes three spacious bedrooms and three full bathrooms. There’s an office/study and a large studio with a half bathroom for guests to stay or for residents to follow their creative pursuits, such as painting or yoga.

The chef’s kitchen is equipped with high-end appliances, including a Sub-Zero refrigerator and a Wolf six-burner range.

The grounds are abundant with mature trees and plantings in a serene and private setting. The current owner installed a pool along with other additions. Meanwhile, a detached two-car garage includes a classy wine room.

“Its seamless blend of indoor and outdoor living spaces makes the property perfect for relaxing and entertaining, which is what we love about wine country,” Sebastiani said.

Sebastiani lists the property’s location in the heart of Sonoma as one of the top features of the place.

The home last sold in August 2003 for $1.925 million, according to public records.

This story was originally published August 29, 2024 at 5:30 PM.

David Caraccio

The Sacramento Bee

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David Caraccio is a video producer for The Sacramento Bee who was born and raised in Sacramento. He is a graduate of San Diego State University and a longtime journalist who has worked for newspapers as a reporter, editor, page designer and digital content producer.