When Mark and Robin Porter purchased a battered, overgrown property high in the Santa Cruz Mountains back in 1991, they were buying into a disaster zone. The land had been ravaged by the 1985 Lexington Fire and shaken by the devastating 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Vineyards lay buried under wilderness. Buildings sagged in disrepair. But the Porters, both tech industry veterans seeking refuge from Silicon Valley's relentless grind, saw something else entirely: potential.
Now, after 34 years of painstaking restoration, the couple is ready to pass the torch. According to SFGate, their 44-acre Lago Lomita estate at 25200 Loma Prieta Ave. in Los Gatos has hit the market for $11.7 million, and it's not hard to see why the price tag lands in eight figures.
From Rubble to Recognition
The transformation wasn't quick. The Porters spent two decades just getting the property back to baseline before launching their "herculean effort" in 2011 to resurrect the vineyards and renovate the main residence. The Mercury News reports the 3,096-square-foot Spanish-style adobe main house, designed by architect Guy Denues, now features four bedrooms and three bathrooms with sweeping views of Monterey Bay from its perch at 2,600 feet elevation—literally above the fog line that blankets the valley below.
By 2014, the couple began replanting the vineyards in earnest, eventually cultivating 12 acres of premium grape varieties including Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, and the notoriously finicky Nebbiolo. That last one turned out to be their trump card. Edible Monterey Bay notes the 2019 Soquel Vineyards Nebbiolo from Lago Lomita grapes won Best of Class at the 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, while Wine Enthusiast awarded the 2019 vintage 94 points, calling it "a revelation" with its delicate strawberry, hibiscus, and sandalwood notes.
The National Geographic Treehouse That Books Year-Round
But here's where Lago Lomita gets truly unusual: the estate includes a 40-foot-high treehouse built among giant Douglas Firs that's become one of California's most sought-after Airbnb listings. SFGate reports the one-bedroom glamping experience has been featured in both National Geographic's "50 States, 500 Campgrounds" and Wine Enthusiast magazine, and it stays booked solid year-round despite requiring guests to climb a 45-foot ladder to reach the tent platform equipped with electricity, WiFi, and panoramic bay views.
The property also features a luxury Lotus Belle yurt that sleeps four with spa-style amenities, a seasonal rainwater-fed lake (complete with wakeboard pulley system installed for the Porters' son), and extensive event space that's hosted countless weddings against the backdrop of vineyard rows cascading toward the Pacific. According to AOL, the lake has even hosted Red Bull wakeboarders when conditions allow.
The Market Context
The $11.7 million asking price positions Lago Lomita in the upper echelons of Los Gatos real estate, though perhaps not at the very pinnacle. Redfin data shows the Los Gatos median home price hit $2.62 million in September 2025, down 1.5% year-over-year, while homes in the area typically sell within 24 days. But ultra-luxury properties above $5 million often face longer market times, particularly in the mountains where commutes are longer and wildfire risk is a consideration.
Still, properties with this combination of acreage, income-generating vineyard operations, proven Airbnb revenue streams, and event venue potential remain rare. Compass listing agents Jennifer and Andrew Oldham are banking on the estate's multiple revenue streams and unique amenities to attract buyers looking for more than just another Silicon Valley escape hatch. Jennifer Oldham told Compass that Lago Lomita is "one of the most breathtaking" vineyards she's seen in the Santa Cruz Mountains, high praise in a region that includes legendary producers like Ridge and Mount Eden.
A Winery Without a Winery
Interestingly, Lago Lomita doesn't actually have its own winemaking facility. The Mercury News reported in 2021 that the Porters sell most of their fruit to Soquel Vineyards and Wrights Station, which produce vineyard-designated wines under the Lago Lomita label. Winemaker Peter Bargetto of Soquel Vineyards has been particularly successful with the Nebbiolo, with subsequent vintages also earning high marks—the 2020 scored 94 points, the 2021 earned 92 points, and the 2022 won Best of Class at the 2024 San Francisco Chronicle Competition, according to California Wines and Wineries.
The Porters have expanded their Nebbiolo plantings to nearly 3.5 acres across two clones, along with new plantings of Cabernet Franc and multiple Pinot Noir clones including the prestigious Mount Eden and Swan selections. Wines are available at the Summit Store on North Summit Road and through the Lago Lomita website, though tastings require appointments.
Why Now?
"We've been here 34 years and I still take pictures of the sunrises and sunsets," Robin Porter told SFGate. "As the sun begins to cross our property, it starts to highlight the tops of the vineyard rows. Then the birds come out, and there is this sense of peace." So why sell? The couple is moving closer to their adult children, a bittersweet but happy reason to let go of their mountain paradise.
For the next owner, Robin offers simple advice for enjoying Lago Lomita after a long day: "Have some wine, kick back, and decompress while watching sailboats and fishing boats out on the Bay." At $11.7 million, that's certainly an expensive decompression chamber—but one that comes with award-winning wine, a treehouse featured in National Geographic, and three decades of sweat equity already baked in.
