Bay Area/ North SF Bay Area/ Real Estate & Development
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Published on June 14, 2024
Family-Owned Belden Barns Winery in Sonoma County Up for Sale at $10.9 MillionSource: Missvain, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Belden Barns, a noted winery in Sonoma County and a family-friendly destination, has been listed for sale with a price tag of $10.9 million. This picturesque estate sprawls over 55 acres at 5561 Sonoma Mountain Road, Santa Rosa, and offers prospective buyers a rare opportunity to own not just a home but also an established vineyard and various agricultural operations.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the Belden family decided to sell the property to focus on personal commitments after navigating a challenging period. In addition to a farmhouse with four bedrooms, the listing boasts a functioning vineyard, a produce farm that supplies top-tier restaurants like Saison and Quince, and existing permits for wine production and hosting guests—a process known to take years and cost a considerable sum in Sonoma County.

The Belden have shaped their winery into a sought-after destination, offering a down-to-earth wine-tasting experience that stands in contrast to their more pretentious counterparts in the region. Guests can enjoy their wine seated on hay bales or while strolling the grounds. With their approachable and reasonably priced wines, the family has fostered an inclusive atmosphere, even allowing children, which is a rarity in the area.

Nate and Lauren Belden, reflecting on their decision, highlighted the connection between their family's needs and the evolving direction of their lives. "It was a real shift for us," Lauren Belden said, as per the San Francisco Chronicle. With a magical wishing tree on the property that has become an international sensation, visitors often leave wishes that remarkably tend to come true, further enhancing the winery's charm and allure.

Along with the residential and winery features, the Belden real estate offering includes a pool with vineyard views, historic architecture such as a 1908 dance hall, farmworker housing, and a redwood barn for tastings, as listed on Zillow. The vineyard itself is renowned for producing high-quality Pinot Noir and possesses the potential for further expansion. The Beldens have also obtained permits and completed planning for additional hospitality and wine production facilities, which can be included in the purchase.

Looking forward, the Beldens intend to remain active in the community through the establishment of a nonprofit, potentially within the healthcare arena. They will continue to operate the winery as usual until a sale is finalized. As Lauren Belden put it, as cited by the San Francisco Chronicle, "We did all the legwork. We have all the wine. By business day one, they could be open."