The Peninsula - Spring 2015

LUXURY HOMES AND LIFESTYLES AROUND THE PENINSULA / SPRING 2015

The

PENINSULA

RESORT STYLE IN A CONTEMPORARY COMPOUND THE CHEF WHO CAME TO DINNER SPEND A DAY WINE TASTING IN SARATOGA THE PENINSULA SPRING 2015 / 1

Our Agents

DREYFUS SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

Ashley Banks

Annette Smith

Brian Ayer

Chris Iverson

Colleen Foraker

Caroline Tonetti

chris.iverson@sothebysrealty.com

License No. 01708130

650.380.0085 colleen@colleenforaker.com License No. 01349099

Dawn Thomas

David A. Weil

John Sieling

dawn@SiliconValleyandBeyond.com

License No. 01460529

650.823.3855 david.weil@dreyfussir.com License No. 01400271

Lisa Keith

Lucy Berman

Michael Dreyfus

650.544.8968 ashley.banks@dreyfussir.com License No. 01913361

650.450.0450

650.701.7822

650.703.8644 lisa@lisakeith.com License No. 00882247

650.766.9429 annette.smith@dreyfussir.com License No. 01180954

650.208.8824 lucy@lucyberman.com License No. 01413627

650.242.2473 brian@650pro.com License No. 01870281

650.867.5806 caroline.tonetti@dreyfussir.com License No. 01180954

650.465.6355 john@johnsieling.com License No. 00898568

650.485.3476

michael.dreyfus@dreyfussir.com

License No. 01121795

Michelle Taser

Noelle Queen

maryjo.mccarthy@dreyfussir.com

License No. 01354295

650.575.7782 michelle.taser@dreyfussir.com License No. 01775122

Peter Giovannotto

Rich Bassin

Shena Hurley

Summer Brill

Susan Tanner

Susie Dews

Mary Jo McCarthy 650.400.6364

650.464.1403 peterg@dreyfussir.com License No. 01875954

650.468.2989 summer.brill@dreyfussir.com License No. 01891857

2 / THE PENINSULA SPRING 2015

650.400.0502 rich.bassin@sothebysrealty.com License No. 00456815

650.255.7372 susan.tanner@dreyfussir.com License No. 01736865

650.427.9211 noelle.queen@dreyfussir.com License No. 01917593

650.575.0994 shena.hurley@sothebysrealty.com License No. 01152002

650.302.2639 susie.dews@sothebysrealty.com License No. 00781220

Contents 4 10

PROPERTY OF NOTE

17 20 27 30

ENTERTAINING

Resort Style in a Contemporary Compound SPOTLIGHT Q&A

Interior Designer: Krista Hoffman Real Estate Agent: Michelle Taser The Chef Who Came To Dinner LOCAL INSIGHTS

Redwood City, Menlo Park OUR ESSENTIALS

The Good Agent Checklist

4

VINTAGE

Spend a Day Wine Tasting in the Romantic Village of Saratoga

10

Publisher Michael Dreyfus Managing Editor Marissa Myers Associate Publisher/Sales John Sieling

The

20

Chief Curator Sandie Timm Director of Operations Michelle Vu Creative Director Phong Giang

Headquarters 728 Emerson Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301

30

Printer HomeFolio Media Contributing Writers Liz Gaither, Laura Ness, Kathy Cordova Contributing Photographers Denise Donegan

PENINSULA

If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with them and cooperate fully.

Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.

THE PENINSULA SPRING 2015 / 3

4 / THE PENINSULA SPRING 2015

PROPERTY OF NOTE

Resort Style in a Contemporary Compound

BY LIZ GAITHER

T

here’s something magical about a home that surprises. A hidden nook under a stairwell, an alluring cellar door, an indoor hammock, a brightly colored spiral staircase; these can imbue a sense of unanticipated joy, like receiving a beautifully wrapped package.

This Palo Alto home in the Crescent Park neighborhood is full of refreshing surprises. Designed by renowned architect Robert Glazier, who with partner John Hill has created some of the most celebrated resorts in the world, including the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai and the Palmilla and Las Ventanas resorts in Los Cabos, he built this unique residence to be a sanctuary for himself and his young family. A study in unexpected contrasts that come effortlessly and flawlessly together, Glazier succeeded with unqualified success.

THE PENINSULA SPRING 2015 / 5

“...I wanted more light than traditional Spanish Revival allows.

I designed this home with a specific goal – no light switches needed during the day.” — ROBERT GLAZIER A PRIVATE RETREAT BLOCKS FROM DOWNTOWN The first thing you notice when approaching the house is, well, not the house. And that’s the whole point. Tucked behind a long courtyard wall covered with creeping fig and draped in bougainvillea lies this private six-bedroom retreat. “I wanted to come home and leave my worries behind me,” reminisces Glazier, who sold the home in 2005. Once behind the thick mahogany garden gate, one truly feels transported.

Combining a soothing symmetry in both the architecture and plantings, the entrance is a foreshadowing of what lies ahead. A square rock fountain covered in hand-painted Spanish tiles and bordered by succulents sets the serene tone. With a private guest house on one side and converted garage on the other, forty-foot palm trees guide the way toward a gracious terrace leading to the main home. Ancient olive trees and native plantings encircle the property. One would never guess that just a half-mile away beats the heart of a vibrant downtown.

6 / THE PENINSULA SPRING 2015

MODERN TAKE ON TRADITION While Spanish Colonial Revival architecture has been a Palo Alto tradition since the 1920’s when Birge Clark imprinted this style on the university town, Glazier wanted to design a home for today. “I always try to respect the history and look of the neighborhood, but I wanted more light than traditional Spanish Revival allows. I designed this home with a specific goal – no light switches needed during the day.”

With natural light as his muse, Glazier incorporated as many windows and doors as he could into the outer walls of the home – 10 sets of generously-sized custom French doors flank the first floor of the home, all of them opening onto intimate gardens and patios.

“It felt like living in a box of sunlight,” recalls Glazier.

While using the traditional Spanish white stucco exterior and walls, dark wood floors, wrought iron balconies and terracotta roof tiles (these original 1920’s tiles were salvaged from clients Sean and Robin Wright Penn’s home in Ross, California), Glazier lent a modern feel with clean, straight lines, rectangular doors and doorways, and an open floorplan that add to the airy, inviting feeling of the house.

In 2012, the home’s current owners commissioned Jarrod Baumann, founder of Zeterre Landscape Architecture, to redesign the garden, adding a pool and outdoor kitchen.

Avid world travelers, they were inspired by the casual elegance and simplicity of coastal homes on the Mediterranean Sea. “I am a huge admirer of Bob Glazier’s work, so I knew to tread lightly. My goal was to maintain the beauty and serenity of the home’s architecture and simply extend that feeling into the gardens,” explains Baumann. The home’s artfully manicured grounds, meandering pea gravel pathways, and slate-colored pool with soothing water features enhance the home’s sanctuary– like feel.

THE PENINSULA SPRING 2015 / 7

GRACIOUS LIVING, COMPOUNDED On this 8,300 square foot lot, both the home and landscaping feel luxurious and expansive.

Maybe because five of the six bedrooms open onto a large patio or sun porch, or because the impeccably designed interior creates such a natural flow, every space feels inviting and serene. “We loved falling asleep with our doors wide open and the scent of potted

citrus trees wafting in from the deck off our bedroom. It was really lovely,” recalls Glazier.

The home’s embodiment of gracious living extends to gracious hosting. A completely separate two-bedroom casita with full bath and kitchen makes entertaining out of town guests a pleasure. Separated by a ground level terrace, the guesthouse, like the rest of

the home, is designed to bring the outdoors in, with both bedrooms leading out to the gardens. “That’s one of the features I miss most about the house,” recalls Glazier. “It was really easy to have guests. Even with little kids, we didn’t feel in the least inconvenienced, and our guests were able to have total privacy when they wanted it.”

“When I envisioned the design of this house, I had little kids, so the walls were a gift to myself and my wife, knowing they would allow us to relax while our kids ran free outside.” — ROBERT GLAZIER

AN EXECUTIVE RETREAT BUILT FOR FAMILY LIVING “We chose this lot to build our first home, because it was exactly where we wanted to raise our kids. It’s in this charming, quiet, tree-lined neighborhood, yet a 10-minute walk to some of the best restaurants and shops,” explains Glazier. The home’s resortlike tranquility belies a practical livability.

Upon closer inspection, hidden cabinets, drawers and cubbies are built to hold a lifetime supply of toys and knick-knacks.

“Friends often commented that our house always managed to feel soothing even though we had two little kids running around.

I think it’s because it was easy to hide the mess!” laughs Glazier.

The courtyard walls in the front of the house not only allow for complete privacy, they offer a family with younger children peace of mind. “When I envisioned the design of

this house, I had little kids, so the walls were a gift to myself and my wife, knowing they would allow us to relax while our kids ran free outside.” And because the home is so well screened from the street and surrounding properties, there are no privacy concerns.

“We kept the doors open all day and often all night. It really was our oasis.”

This home is offered for sale. For inquiries or to schedule a visit, please contact Michael Dreyfus of Dreyfus Sotheby’s International Realty at 650.485.3476.

8 / THE PENINSULA SPRING 2015

30TH ANNUAL GAMBLE GARDEN

Spring Tour

“There is no place like home.”

Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

April 24 & 25, 2015 Tour 5 private Palo Alto gardens Featuring local gardens designed and planned as family retreats, for resort living, and for gracious home entertaining.

Tickets & Info: 650-329-1356 or www.gamblegarden.org • Box Lunch by Café Primavera

Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden

• Shop the fabulous Marketplace and Plant Sale • Complimentary coffees, iced tea, and cookies

1431 Waverley Street, Palo Alto www.gamblegarden.org www.facebook.com/GambleGarden

• Silent Auction with unique events and items • “Over the Garden Fence” with gently used treasures at remarkable prices • Live music in a beautiful setting

All proceeds benefit Gamble Garden, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.

gamble garden



th

anniversary

Dreyfus Sotheby's International Realty is proud to sponsor the 30th Anniversary of the Gamble Gardens Spring Tour.

SPOTLIGHT

Q&A

Krista Hoffman

INTERIOR DESIGNER

How would you define your style?

Beautiful and approachable.

Your interior design icon?

I love Victoria Hagan for her timelessness and Kelly Hoppen for her funkiness.

Who or what most influences your work?

As cliche as it sounds, my clients. Every project brings its own set of requirements and therefore the end results are always so different. The influence of a client (family make up, lifestyle, personality) always shines through in the end.

What lessons would you pass on to other designers?

Learn how to sketch scaled drawings and use an architect’s ruler, talk to tradesmen and learn from them. I’ve learned so much just from being on job sites.

Best advice you ever got?

I worked for Martha Angus in San Francisco and she’s the one who told me to go into business for myself. She’s incredibly supportive to anyone who has worked for her.

What are your favorite types of projects?

My favorite piece of the design process is space planning -in terms of both designing whole home plans and room by room furniture plans. It’s like a puzzle waiting to be solved. Something clicks when I get to the final design and I know I’ve solved it.

Necessary extravagance?

Don’t laugh, but my new minivan. This time I went with the fully loaded one and that integrated phone system is a life saver when I am charging down 280 after a morning at the Design Center.

Best interior design website or blog?

Pinterest has dramatically changed the way designers work.

It’s an incredible tool.

Where do you live?

Sharon Heights, Menlo Park. It has the best “street landscape” of any neighborhood in Menlo Park.

Favorite thing about living on The Peninsula?

Moving here from Ann Arbor, Michigan, five years ago, I didn’t think much about four seasons. I miss the thunderstorms and snow days but I’ll happily take the sunshine every day.

Continued on next page 10 / THE PENINSULA SPRING 2015

Most disliked design trend?

If we have to go there, I am not a huge fan of accent walls painted bold colors.

What qualities do you most admire in a room?

In design school, you are taught the elements of design. A well designed room is one where these elements are in harmony with each other. The design elements of individual pieces are woven across the room, throughout the home, creating a successful design. I like to flip through magazines and mentally tick off the design elements used in beautifully designed rooms.

What can you easily do to transform a home?

Hang artwork lower than you think and group similarly scaled pieces together.

What do you collect?

Pressed glass candlesticks, a collection that my parents started for me.

Favorite shopping spots/stores for decorating?

In Menlo Park, I like to stop by Atherton Antiques and Ruby Living. In Palo Alto, Cisco Home and Hudson Grace (opening soon!) in Town & Country.

Advice for someone without a big budget?

Continually search Chairish, One Kings Lane, and the Alameda Flea Market.

Favorite design trend?

I try to eschew trends. They imply something fleeting and I aim to create homes that transcend time.

What makes a house a home?

Its unique personality. A home needs to reflect its occupants.

Favorite room you’ve ever designed?

I just finished a mixed-use room, a nursery, and office. It’s soothing, beautiful, organic, and calm. It’s perfect for a sleeping baby and a working/focused adult.

Favorite materials or textures?

Linen, wool, wood, stone - natural materials.

Contact: krista@kristahoffman.com / KristaHoffman.com All photos by Nicole Scarborough | nicolescarborough.com

As the local area expert with strong knowledge of Lake Tahoe and the neighboring communities, my goal is to work diligently in assisting you with your real estate needs. Your search to find the right home begins with a clear understanding of the home lifestyle you most desire. I understand your idea of home goes far beyond the physical characteristics of a house and its offerings. Home also reflects a certain style you can call your own, an everyday lifestyle a particular community offers.

Lifestyle needs are as individual as the people themselves. That’s why I and Sotheby’s International Realty represent the most diverse and desirable lifestyles at Lake Tahoe. Whether it’s ski resort living, golf course living, or luxury lakefront living, I will help you find your home.

Each office is independently owned and operated.

Tahoe Lakefront 746 Lincoln Highway, Zephyr Cove, NV 89448 Offered at $2,750,000

Jean Merkelbach 775.588.0609 Jean.Merkelbach@sothebysrealty.com jeanmerkelbach.sierrasothebysrealty.com THE PENINSULA Cal BRE 01129301 NV 012934 SPRING 2015 / 11

285 PALISADES DRIVE, KIRKWOOD OFFERED AT $2,695,000 | JEFF HAMILTON / 530.412.2645 Kirkwood’s finest home located in its premiere ski-in, ski-out neighborhood. A stunning mountain retreat featuring reclaimed wood with post and beam construction, comfort and style are evident in this luxurious mountain modern home where only the finest materials and finishes have been used.

Designed to allow for maximum sunlight and views, this home can gracefully accommodate large gatherings of family and friends. This retreat is located between two express chairs and two villages. Easy access to skiing, dining, hiking, ice skating and biking.

1806 CHRISTY LANE, OLYMPIC VALLEY OFFERED AT $3,950,000 | SHARLA CHADOR / 530.580.8506

Located in Squaw Valley’s desirable West-end, a short walk to The Village and mountain, this extraordinary home is defined by its unparalleled, sweeping Squaw Valley Ski Area and Sierra Crest views. Expansive picture windows fill the home with natural light and deliver striking mountain vistas from nearly every room. The large home offers a dramatic great room with a large native stone fireplace, four spacious bedroom suites, a media room, game room, and an exercise room. The gourmet kitchen boasts a commercial eight burner Wolf range with a French cook-top, Sub-Zero refrigerator/ freezer, three dishwashers, Blue Louise granite counter-tops and custom hand-rubbed alder cabinetry. For your ease and comfort the home has a three story elevator, a large safe, an entry alarm system, triple pane windows, expansive decking and attractive landscaping.

249 GRANITE CHIEF ROAD, SQUAW VALLEY OFFERED AT $5,450,000 | JEFF HAMILTON / 530.412.2645 249 Granite Chief is one of the seven rare slopeside homes in Squaw Valley.

Situated on the largest lot in Granite Chief Estates, this home was completely remodeled by Galetto Construction with all the details you would expect in a luxury home. Office, family room, loft and ski room complete this rare slopeside opportunity. Ski home, admire your KT lines and take in the spectacular valley views from your outdoor hot tub.

Each office is independently owned and operated.

next steward?

Who will be the

S Q UAW V A L L E Y H O M E S T E A D . C O M The historic Squaw Valley Homestead Ranch is a rare opportunity for discovery, inspiration and stewardship.

With 29.6 acres of mixed zoning, the Homestead site provides an unrivaled opportunity to define and craft the last remaining significant property in the heart of Squaw Valley.

Tahoe Truckee Luxury Group

Jeff Hamilton 530.412.2645

|

Your Guides to the Lake Tahoe Lifestyle

Sharla Chador 530.580.8506

|

TahoeTruckeeLuxury.com

THE PENINSULA SPRING 2015 / 13

Bill Murphy 530.386.1533

SHAKESPEARE RANCH TAHOELEGACY.COM

536 FAIRVIEW BLVD TAHOE-LAKEVIEW.COM

142 MAYHEW CIRCLE MILLCREEKINCLINE.COM

1580 VIVIAN LANE LAKETAHOEVILLA.COM

BUYTAHOEHOMES.COM

Each office is independently owned and operated.

2219 LANDS END DRIVE GLENBROOKLAKEVIEW.COM

932 LAKESHORE BLVD TAHOE-LAKEVIEWS.COM

591 PINTO COURT INCLINELAKEVIEWS.COM

545 LODGEPOLE DRIVE TAHOEMOUNTAINVIEW.COM

Lexi Cerretti 775.833.1646 | Claudia Thompson 775.233.4014

Michelle Taser REAL ESTATE AGENT

SPOTLIGHT I knew I wanted to be a real estate agent when: I was in commercial construction, then was a full time volunteer for eight years. I finally said, “If I’m going to work this hard, I’m going to get paid for it.” I started doing interior design for a developer. I loved going to open houses on the weekend for ideas, and helping her with finishes for houses she was building. She said, “You’re a natural. Get into the business.”

Q&A

Proudest accomplishment for a client: I did a $68,000 remodel in eight days. Having been a project manager in commercial construction comes in handy in this business. Knowing how to prep homes is only part of being a really good agent. Knowing the market, being a treat negotiator, and always telling the truth, no matter what.

That’s what makes you a really good agent.

Favorite Interior design trend: I am absolutely, utterly, totally in love with the modern farmhouse. I’ve always loved modern architecture. I live in a modern house. The modern farmhouse is open and clean and happy. It’s warm and inviting and a little bit eclectic, which I love. The different finishes, like concrete floors with Carrara marble countertops.

3 words to describe living in Palo Alto: Bliss, sophisticated, richly diverse.

Best way to decompress: Hiking the Baylands with my husband and three dogs.

Most memorable deal: I had a client who grew up in an apartment in Lithuania with her mom. She’d never owned a home. In a multiple offer situation I was able to get her the house on her 50th birthday. She cried when she got her house.

If I wasn’t a real estate agent I’d be: I’d be a chef. I definitely would cook. I often dream of having a small little restaurant.

Michelle Taser, Sales Associate

Dreyfus Sotheby’s International Realty 650.575.7782 | michelle.taser@dreyfussir.com

16 / THE PENINSULA SPRING 2015

Michelle’s 2014 Sales and Listings included properties in Palo Alto and Atherton.

ENTERTAINING

Photo by OPUS Hotel | flickr.com/photos/opushotel/4037035811

The Chef Who Came To Dinner Trends in dinner parties come and go, but one thing never changes - a great party needs great food. But as we all find ourselves busier than ever, putting together a delicious meal with the perfect wines and a beautifully set table can be a daunting task.

Enter the latest trend in entertaining - meals prepared in your home by professional chefs.

Whether you are looking for a romantic dinner for two, an elegant dinner party for 10, or a backyard barbecue for the neighborhood,

several companies are connecting awardwinning local chefs with dinner party hosts looking to provide a spectacular meal.

Internet sites like Kitchit, Hire-A-Chef, and Chef’d Up connect you to chefs who create a personalized menu, purchase artisanal ingredients, prepare the meal right in your kitchen, and handle all of the clean up. The aim is to recreate restaurant quality dining in your own home.

“The best memories I have happened around the dining table, but the trick is to make it as effortless as possible,” says Brendan Marshall, who launched Kitchit in 2011 along with two other Stanford grads. “Chefs are the lynchpins—great food, great conversation, a great experience and great memories.”

THE PENINSULA SPRING 2015 / 17

THE EAST RANCH

A WINE COUNTRY RETREAT Offered at: $8,000,000 Beds 5 | Baths 4.5 Home Âą7,200 sf Lot Âą1,745 acres Create lifelong memories against the backdrop of The East Ranch in the wine country less than two hours from San Francisco. This stunning ranch features panoramic views overlooking the Sonoma and Mendocino wine country. Own your own nature preserve with 24 miles of roads, pasture and free range cattle areas, year round springs, ponds and camping areas. The centerpiece is a stunning Victorian style house, built using the finest period and reclaimed materials with exemplary craftsmanship. Vintage style with the systems and conveniences of a modern home.

TheEastRanch.com

Chris Iverson, Sales Associate 650.450.0450 chris.iverson@sothebysrealty.com License No. 01708130

Downtown Menlo Park 640 Oak Grove Ave, Menlo Park / 650.847.1141 Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

LOCAL INSIGHTS

Redwood City

Brian Ayer, Sales Associate

Dreyfus Sotheby’s International Realty 650.242.2473 brian@650pro.com

Brian with the owners of Vesta, Courtney and Peter

Favorite restaurant?

Vesta. Peter, Courtney and James - the owners and the manager - are just fantastic.

And who can pass up a great wood-fired pizza? Their cherry pizza is my favorite when it’s in season.

Favorite place for glass of wine?

Donato Enoteca has a great Italian wine list.

They have a great little patio. They have happy hour seven days a week. All their wine by the glass is 50% off. Even their best Barolos!

Live music?

Stafford Park in my neighborhood. We bring a picnic and wine to share with friends. We always bump into someone we know. There are summer concerts every Wednesday.

Why you came to Redwood City?

Diversity and location. And, of course, the weather. We moved to Redwood City at the bottom of the recession, took note of the city’s downtown plan, and knew Redwood City would become the type of town we really enjoy.

20 / THE PENINSULA SPRING 2015

A few of my listings/sales from 2014, showcasing the best of Redwood City.

Your neighborhood?

I live in Mt Carmel and absolutely love it. You can get any type of house you can imagine, from Tudors to Craftsman to Spanish revival.

Five words for Redwood City?

Vibrant. Developing. Urban. Diverse. Fun. Favorite spot?

My backyard. It’s my oasis on the Peninsula.

It’s great space for having people over. We hosted a forum for residents to come and meet the Redwood City city council candidates last year. We’ve had outdoor movies in our backyard. I love chatting with neighbors over the fence. It makes me feel like I’m in a small town.

899 Blandford Boulevard | $2,795,000

Most accurate Redwood City stereotype?

We are the fastest developing city on the peninsula, and it’s true.

13 Woodhill Drive | $2,325,000

Least accurate Redwood City stereotype?

It’s a sleepy town. That’s clearly not true.

We’re continually growing and changing.

And there’s definitely more to come.

2211 Brewster Avenue | $1,395,000

LOCAL INSIGHTS

Ask a Transplant Why I Came to Menlo Park: My husband and I met on a blind date in San Fran-

cisco. I lived in Minneapolis, so he had to import me. He’s a Menlo Park native whose mom co-owned the Candy Depot and a tennis shop in Menlo Park.

When I moved here, he said, “Why don’t you go into real estate?” We were walking down Hillview Drive in 1995. I pointed to a ranch home and asked, “How much would that house sell for?” He said, “$800,000, if it’s been upgraded.” I told him, “I cannot be a realtor because I would tell people to go back to where they came from.” Yet here I am, a realtor, and that house today is probably worth $2.5M.

Mary Jo McCarthy, Realtor®

Dreyfus Sotheby’s International Realty 650.400.6364 maryjo.mccarthy@dreyfussir.com Mary Jo’s 2014 Sales and Listings included properties in Menlo Park, Atherton, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Redwood City, Portola Valley, and San Carlos.

Bradley Ogden, owner and chef of BFD

Favorite new restaurant: Bradley Ogden’s BFD (Bradley’s Fine Diner). They have the best fish and chips I’ve had outside of the Midwest. They make a really good old fashioned, which is hard to find out here.

The owner is from Michigan and he brought his upbringing to the food.

Favorite place for a glass of wine: Iberia. Best sangria outside Puerto Rico. I love their tapas and their quiet, cozy lounge.

Live music: The Mountain Winery.

Amazing view, intimate venue, great seating.

Favorite things to do with the kids: When they were younger, I took them to wonderful little children’s musicals at Villa Montalvo in Saratoga. Their hourlong shows are the perfect length for three year olds, and they’re done really well with professional actors. We’ve also gone to children’s plays performed by local children, such as the Palo Alto Hot Dog series during summer nights. One of my daughters now

enjoys performing with Peninsula Youth Theater in their productions at the Mountain View Center for Performing Arts.

I loved taking them to The Winter Lodge in Palo Alto, an outdoor skating rink designed by an engineer whose roots were in Wisconsin. You can skate outside from October until April. They have a big outdoor fireplace. They’ll even make snow come down. I’ve had birthday parties there. It’s as close as I can find to a Midwest ice skating experience anywhere.

2131 Ashton Avenue, Menlo Park SOLD

Neighborhood: Central Menlo.

166 Alemendral Avenue, Atherton SOLD

Favorite spot: Having lunch on the patio next to the polo field at the Menlo Circus Club while the horses are out.

Least accurate Menlo Park stereotype: Dull. There are so many amazing and interesting people in Menlo Park. If you just get out and get to know them, it would never, ever be dull.

l1175 Walnut Street, San Carlos SOLD THE PENINSULA SPRING 2015 / 21

PARK CITY, UT MORE THAN A SKI TOWN

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SCOTT MAIZLISH 435.901.4309 | MAIZLISH@GMAIL.COM | SCOTTMAIZLISH.COM Scott Maizlish | Summit Sotheby’s International Realty | PO Box 2370 | 1750 Park Avenue

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©MMXV Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a licensed trademark to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. An Equal Opportunity Company. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.

Scott Maizlish | Summit Sotheby’s International Realty | PO Box 2370 | 1750 Park Avenue | Park City, Utah 84060 USA

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How it works We model your home decision with our software to see its impact on your entire life, so you can move forward confidently.

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OPESADVISORS.COM 2875 EL CAMINO REAL, PALO ALTO 650.319.1617

Opes Advisors is licensed by the CA Department of Business Oversight 4150089 under the California Residential Mortgage Lenders Act, Washington CL-1178435 and NMLS 235584. Equal Opportunity Lender. Opes Advisor is a registered investment advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Š2014 Opes Advisors, Inc. All Rights Reserved

LOCAL INSIGHTS

Menlo Park

Annette Smith, Sales Associate

Dreyfus Sotheby’s International Realty 650.766.9429 annette.smith@dreyfussir.com Facebook: Your Menlo Park Realtor Like “Your Menlo Park Realtor” on Facebook for market updates, real estate news, remodeling and decorating tips and more.

Favorite place for a glass of wine: The Left Bank

Favorite restaurant: Sultana. We’ve been going there since they opened and have enjoyed watching them grow into a busy, successful restaurant. Their pomegranate kabob is to die for!

Favorite place for a glass of wine: The Left Bank. You can sit outside with a glass of wine and watch all the people passing by on Santa Cruz Avenue. It’s just a really friendly place to be.

Favorite weekend ritual: I get up on Saturday morning, walk to Peet’s Coffee, and meet a group of about six women there. We’ve been doing it for 20 years.

Your Neighborhood: I live in Linfield Oaks and I love everything about it! There is a family ambiance and a real sense of community. And we can walk almost everywhere!

Favorite things to do with the kids: In the summer, there are concerts in the park and a huge July 4th celebration. In December, Santa rides the train and stops off for a visit at the Menlo Park station.

Some of Annette’s recent listings and sales

Best place for arts: Many of the stores and restaurants display and sell the work of local artists. And, of course, Stanford University is right next door.

Five words that describe Menlo Park: Centrally-located, walkable, communityoriented, friendly, peaceful.

2270 Camino a Los Cerros

Most accurate Menlo Park stereotype: That it’s an idyllic small town.

Least accurate Menlo Park stereotype: That it’s full of Facebook millionaires.

There’s a great mix of new people moving into the city and residents who have lived there for decades.

Proof I’ve made it in Menlo Park: In my 20-year realty career here I’ve sold over 200 homes in Menlo Park. But more importantly, as I walk down Santa Cruz Avenue on any given day, I encounter at least five people I know. This is home.

1357 Woodland Avenue

Tuscaloosa Avenue

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OUR ESSENTIALS

The Good Agent Checklist Much like a great hairstylist or mechanic, an outstanding real estate agent is hard to find. Authorized to act on your behalf, a real estate agent has a fiduciary duty to faithfully represent you and to put your interests first.

So how do you know you’ve found the right agent you can trust to keep that promise?

You Talk, They Listen

If you can’t get a word in edgewise, your agent has an agenda, and it’s not yours. As the client, you should initially be doing most of the talking so that your agent understands your needs and desires. The right agent will ask you questions, and then simply listen. As the relationship builds, your agent will learn your priorities and how you like to communicate. They won’t leave you a voicemail if you never check voicemails. If you’re actively looking for a home or have a transaction underway, they will be in close touch. If not, they may only reach out with periodic market updates or pressing news. You never feel ignored nor inundated. Your agent “gets” you.

They Know The Market

An outstanding agent knows how much your neighbors bought and sold their home for and the time frame of each transaction.

They know the best schools and the fact that the neighbors recently voted to install speed bumps. They’ll show you historical trend data to give you a sense for how the neighborhood has performed through previous real estate cycles. You can make confident, fully informed decisions based on the detailed market knowledge they provide.

They Stop at Nothing

The best agents go the extra mile. If you have your heart set on a neighborhood where few homes come to market each year, they’ll write personalized letters to the existing homeowners and source that needle-in-a-haystack home for you.

Or, if you’ve lived for decades in the same home and dread the prospect of sorting through accumulated belongings in order to prepare your home for sale, they’ll manage every step of the sales preparation process with as much, or as little involvement on your part as you prefer. Whether it’s booking an estate sale specialist or meeting with a color consultant to choose the new interior paint palette, they’ll handle all of the details from start to finish with their team of proven contractors, gardeners and designers.

Colleen Foraker, Sales Associate

Dreyfus Sotheby’s International Realty 650.380.0085 colleen@colleenforaker.com Some of Colleen’s recent listings and sales in 2014

175 Tennyson Avenue, Palo Alto

You Hear Great Things

Believe the rumors, both good and bad.

A good agent has a stellar reputation for being honest and professional and is respected by their network. They take their role seriously knowing that whatever they do will affect whether or not you get what you want.

If you can check these four boxes, then pat yourself on the back for being a fabulous judge of character. If you are currently choosing an agent, keep this list with you along with a big red pen, and only sign up if you’ve made four enthusiastic check marks!

18 Reservoir Road, Atherton SOLD

1070 Trinity Drive, Menlo Park SOLD

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PORTOLA VALLEY ESTATE / 6BLUEOAKSCT.COM Offered at $4,998,000 | Beds 4 | Full Baths 3 | Half Baths 3 | Home ±7,280 sf | Lot ±2.76 acres

OLD PALO ALTO / 2330BYRONSTREET.COM Offered at $5,495,000 | Beds 4 | Baths 3 | Home ±2,715 sf | Lot ±12,363 sf

Downtown Palo Alto 728 Emerson St, Palo Alto 650.644.3474

Downtown Menlo Park 640 Oak Grove Ave, Menlo Park 650.847.1141

dreyfussir.com Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

CONTEMPORARY NORTH PALO ALTO COMPOUND / 644SENECA.COM Main House: 5 Beds / 3 Baths | Guesthouse: 2 Beds / 1 Bath And Kitchenette | Lot: ±8,738 Sf

OLD PALO ALTO Beds 3 | Baths 3.5 | Home ±4,464 sf | Lot ±12,000 sf Michael Dreyfus, Broker 650.485.3476 michael.dreyfus@dreyfussir.com

Summer Brill, Sales Associate 650.468.2989 summer.brill@dreyfussir.com

Noelle Queen, Sales Associate 650.427.9211 noelle.queen@dreyfussir.com

License No. 01121795

License No. 01891857

License No. 01917593

Spend a Day Wine Tasting in the Romantic Village of Saratoga

BY LAURA NESS

VINTAGE

As found on WineFoodExplorer.com 30 / THE PENINSULA SPRING 2015

I

dyllic Saratoga is blessed with a pleasing tranquility that belies its proximity to the bustle of Silicon Valley and it’s easy access from the peninsula. It’s not just a place, it’s a state of mind. Saratoga has been an integral part of the Santa Cruz Mountains wine scene for well over a century, long before Paul Masson built the famous Mountain Winery, to which thousands flock each year for the summer concert series.

Downtown Saratoga, with its wide, tree-lined sidewalks, is meant for walking. Here, you can wine taste at half a dozen in-town local wineries and wine shops, browse one-ofa-kind boutiques, sample Saratoga Chocolates, indulge in a decadent cupcake from Tasha’s Minicakes, buy wine inspired gifts, souvenirs and cards at Vine Life, or indulge in comprehensive beauty treatments at Preston Wynne Spa.

All photos by Denise Donegan

Ruthe Roberts

A good place to begin is Ruthe Roberts Wine Collective for a warm greeting by Ruthe herself, and a flight from local wineries that don’t have tasting rooms. She personally selects exceptional local labels like Comartin, Enoteca Five (Cabernet Franc – fabulous), Comanche Cellars, Naumann, Ser (amazing Chardonnay & Pinot) and Perrucci Cellars (big Cabs and Italian reds).

Ruthe specializes in a good selection of bubbles, too. RRVCWINES.COM Meander up the street to the M4 tasting room, where you’ll find wines from legendary winemaker, Michael Martella, the force behind Thomas Fogarty wines for 30 years,

and wines from his fellow winemaker, Michael Michaud, who specializes in highly textural, mineral-driven wines from that most hallowed of places, Chalone Vineyard, which is located in the Gabilan Mountains on the eastern side of the Salinas Valley. The older Chardonnays are things of immense grace. Hang out on the M4 patio and enjoy a snack from nearby restaurant, The Basin, along with a glass of Martella GTA, a lively blend of Grenache and Tempranillo.

No day of wine tasting is complete without a bit of fine dining. Stop for lunch, or stay for dinner at one of the following Saratoga restaurants.

M4TASTINGROOM.COM

MINT LEAF Thai cuisine in a cozy setting.

Literally right next door is the Big Basin Vineyards tasting room and patio, where you’ll find some of the best Pinots and Syrah’s crafted in the Santa Cruz Mountains by winemaker, Bradley Brown. The place is a virtual photo gallery ablaze with shots of the mountaintop estate vineyards, just a few miles from Big Basin State Park. The highly acclaimed Rattlesnake Rock Syrah is a must try, along with the elegant Coastview Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, brimming with minerality. The winery’s first estate Roussanne is a stunning example of this regal white Rhone. BIGBASINVINEYARDS.COM

THE BASIN Creative Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with a great bar.

THE BELLTOWER Breakfast and lunch daily, with excellent French pastries.

BELLA SARATOGA California casual in an old Victorian with outdoor patio dining.

THE PLUMED HORSE Michelin-starred, the bar is romance personified and the wine selection impressive.

RISTORANTE DA MARIO Authentic Cucina Italiana, with homemade everything. Lunch Fridays, dinners nightly.

SENT SOVI Seasonal and stylish French-inspired cuisine with California flair.

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Ilyse Pender pouring wine at Cooper Garrod

Stop in at neighboring Cinnabar for a taste of Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay and Pinot, plus live music and food trucks on weekends. CINNABARWINE.COM Just a short drive out of Saratoga takes you to Savannah-Chanelle, where winemaker Tony Craig has been turning out awardwinning gems like Cabernet Franc from the estate vineyard, along with brilliant Pinots from the Santa Cruz Mountains and Tondre Grapefields in the Santa Lucia Highlands. A great picnic spot.

If you fancy a more rustic scene, head to Cooper Garrod, where you can enjoy a horseback tour of organically farmed vineyards, or simply walk them on foot, enjoying a view to Silicon Valley. Enjoy perfumey Viognier, Cabernet Franc and red blends called “Test Pilot,” named for the winery’s founder, George Cooper, a NASA pilot. CGV.COM

Cinnabar Winery

Big Basin Vineyards

M4 Tasting Room

To read more about Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards and Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards, visit winefoodexplorer.com/winery-gems-in-the-saratoga-hil ls 32 / THE PENINSULA SPRING 2015

A YEAR OF UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS

60% GROWTH

#1

IN AGENT PRODUCTIVITY

IN SALES VOLUME IN 2014 Thanks to its loyal clients and superior agents with unparallelled experience, Dreyfus Sotheby’s International Realty was able to surpass previous sales records by 60% - the largest growth in sales volume in the company’s history.

OUT OF 730 SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY OFFICES WORLDWIDE Our agents handle more sales per capita than any other Sotheby’s International Realty office on the planet. Our agents are quality, and it shows in their performance compared to their peers worldwide.

Please contact Steve Smith, our General Manager, on how you can work with Dreyfus Sotheby’s International Realty for your future real estate transactions.

Steve Smith, Managing Broker 415.986.9600 | steve.smith@dreyfussir.com License No. 01329572

Custom Estate in Prime Location 141 TU S C A LOO SA AV E N U E , ATH E RTO N

Captivating luxury estate situated on two parcels totaling almost 3.8 acres. Spanning over 10,000 square feet, this gorgeous home incorporates grand-scale rooms including foyer, formal living and dining rooms, media room with bar, family room and library. The personal accommodations consist of 6 bedroom suites and 6.5 baths including a ground-level in-law/au pair suite with eat-in kitchen. The elegant master suite has a adjoining office, luxurious master bath, walk-in closet and separate terrace.

Offered at $33,000,000

Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

Shena Hurley 650.575.0991 shena.hurley@sothebysrealty.com

Susie Dews 650.302.2639 susie.dews@sothebysrealty.com

License No. 01152002

License No. 00781220

Contemporary Home with Western Hills Views 203 Miramontes Road, Woodside Gorgeous luxury awaits in this modern home which combines warm comfort with architectural quality. Quietly situated on a ±24,394 sf flat lot with magnificent views of the western hills, this stunning home is approximately 4,300 sf and features: 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and a separate office/library.

Quality is featured in the details, including granite countertops, Viking appliances, and hardwood floors throughout the home.

The backyard includes a beautiful swimming pool, manicured landscaping and expansive decking. It is situated on one of the most desirable streets in Central Woodside, close to town and top-rated Woodside schools.

Downtown Menlo Park 640 Oak Grove Ave, Menlo Park / 650.847.1141 36 / THE PENINSULA SPRING 2015

Offered at $4,950,000 Bedrooms 5 | Bathrooms 4 Home ±4,300 sf | Lot ±24,394 sf

dreyfussir.com Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

Rich Bassin, Broker Associate 650.400.0502 rich.bassin@sothebysrealty.com richbassin.com License No. 00456815