CA vineyard estate rebuilt after fire, quake in Santa Cruz mountains hits market
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- Lago Lomita listed at $11.7M: 44-acre vineyard estate above Silicon Valley bustle
- Property features Nebbiolo vines, 3,000‑sqft main house and redwood treehouse
- Estate operates as award-winning winery, wedding venue and high-rated Airbnb glamping site
A celebrated 44-acre private vineyard estate for sale for $11.7 million sits along a ridgeline of the Santa Cruz Mountains above the area’s fog and bustle of Silicon Valley, which is just 30 minutes away.
Dubbed Lago Lomita, the singular estate is perched at an altitude of 2,600 feet on a sunny saddle overlooking Monterey Bay.
Located at 25200 Loma Prieta Ave. in Los Gatos, California, the property is known for its world-class Nebbiolo vines, lauded by Wine Enthusiast, and a redwood treehouse soaring 40 feet above the ground that was featured by National Geographic. The tree house is popular on Airbnb and VRBO.
From rows of vineyards to the architectural main residence, Lago Lomita tells a story of vision and restoration, according to the sellers.
Property renovated after fire, quake
Robin and Mark Porter acquired the estate in 1991, according to public property records.
After the Lexington Fire (1985) and Loma Prieta earthquake (1989), “the entire property had degenerated into disrepair, and all the vineyards had been overwhelmed by wilderness,” Robin said in a statement.
“In 2011, we started the Herculean effort of clearing away the wilderness, resurrecting all the vineyards and renovating our home,” she said. “We wanted to retain the legacy of our house. We worked to modernize it while keeping the old world history. We integrated sustainability with modern materials.”
In 2014, they started replanting the vineyards. The tree house opened to visitors in 2015.
Today, Lago Lomita’s four-bedroom, three-bathroom, 3,000-square-foot main house is a showpiece of adobe craftsmanship, reimagined by architect Guy Denues.
“The residence at Lago Lomita is an adobe home that draws its inspiration from both the land and tradition,” Compass listing agent Jennifer Oldham of The Oldham Group said in an email. “The design fuses Old World artistry with a contemporary openness, antique doors and hand-finished woodwork speak to heritage, while expansive windows frame the horizon, making the Monterey Bay an ever-present backdrop.”
Wine is heart of estate
Wine is at the heart of the estate. The vineyard consistently produces wines rated as high as 94 points and has garnered top awards.
“The thing we’re most proud of is that our Italian winemakers flew cases of our wine to Italy for the wedding of their son in the cathedral where his parents were married,” Robin said.
A sense of peace and drama extends beyond bottles of wine.
“We’ve been here 34 years and I still take pictures of the sunrises and sunsets,” Robin said. “There is this sense of peace. The gate opens and we’re home. We’ve escaped the stresses of the day and can come back to a beautiful house with views of the entire Monterey Bay. You can have some wine, kick back, and decompress while watching sailboats and fishing boats out on the Bay.”
San Jose Mercury News wine correspondent Laura Ness admires Lago Lomita.
“The Santa Cruz Mountains are blessed with spectacular vineyards, including the historic Mountain Winery, Mount Eden and Ridge, rising above the hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley,” she said in a statement from Compass. “One of the most breathtaking I’ve ever seen is Lago Lomita.”
Yurt, lake and more
Other highlights of the property include:
- Lotus Belle yurt — The luxury glamping experience is a “guest favorite” Airbnb property with a lofty 4.98 rating. Guests can enjoy spa-style amenities and panoramic views.
- Wedding venue — Lago Lomita offers a celebrated setting for ceremonies, receptions and Instagram-worthy sea-to-sky vistas as a backdrop.
- Seasonal lake — When the lake fills with rain and snowmelt, it’s large enough for water sports. It has hosted Red Bull wakeboarders.
This story was originally published October 15, 2025 at 11:24 AM.
