F O C U SEven the most dramatic property deserves a

unique focus. Capturing the personality reveals its

true essence which speaks only to the right buyer. The

purchaser is always ecstatic to have been made aware of

such a perfect match.

JOHN SAAR - 831.622.7227WWW.JOHNSAAR.COM

Victorine RanchDrive into the gates of Victorine Ranch and leave the center of civilization; in the wink of an eye

you enter the remote wilderness. The estate is a collaboration of sophistication and natural serenity; artfully crafted to create a secluded retreat that you can call home.

BY GRACIE GUTIERREZ

featured listing

Nestled on a plateau just above the ocean south of Carmel next to Otter Cove, Victorine Ranch is an oasis of serenity. The five-acre estate, which boasts stunning, 180-degree

panoramic views of the coast, is unlike any on the market and offers the perfect blend of a private vacation retreat and a warm, inviting home. The 7,900-square-foot house was built in 1992 and has since evolved into an exquisite manor.

“Victorine Ranch is so unique. Each owner seamlessly added their stamp to this property, creating a home you have to see to believe,” said John Saar, CEO of John Saar Properties, the real estate firm listing the home. “This estate has a beauty that is all its own.”

Located in an exclusive, gated community in Big Sur, Victorine Ranch – which is listed at $7.5 million –is surrounded by the unspoiled wilderness of the Carmel coast. The wooded hillsides and lush vegetation give the home a secluded feel. Victorine Ranch offers the best of both worlds: Despite its seemingly remote location with no homes in sight, Victorine Ranch is only a four-mile drive from world-class golf, shopping, and dining on the nearby Monterey Peninsula. It is an idyllic retreat, perfect for weekend getaways or year-round living. It could even be a rare, ocean front horse ranch.

Attention to Detail Elegant and inviting, Victorine Ranch features a spacious, open floor plan that simply begs exploration. Expansive picture windows line the outer walls along the entryway into the family room, bathing the home in natural light and offering dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean. The soaring beamed ceilings feature skylights that open and close at the push of a button to let in fresh sea breezes. Every detail of the home has been carefully crafted to showcase the beauty of its natural surroundings.

“The open floor plan transitions well from room to room,” Saar said. “Because of the perfect flow and functions, there is no part of the home where you don’t have fabulous ocean views or stunning architectural elements enhanced by wonderful light from clerestory windows at the top of 20-foot beam ceilings.”While the home is an open design, its architectural elements allow

for personal space or intimate gatherings. The formal family room features one of the home’s three grand wood-burning fireplaces, handcrafted from golden granite native to Carmel.

The home’s clean, contemporary lines provide an elegant and simple backdrop for any style: Classic rugs and traditional furnishings will add a touch of cozy sophistication, while the wide open spaces and neutral limestone floors are the perfect complement for mid-century minimalism.

No matter what your style, Victorine Ranch is an ideal place for a family gathering or a big night in with friends. Gather with guests around the oversized, granite bar, or toast the evening with a selection from your very own 1,200-bottle wine cellar. Preparing for a party – or an everyday meal, for that matter – is an experience to be savored in the dual-equipped, ocean view kitchen featuring two sinks, two dishwashers, two compactors, and double refrigerators and freezers. The picturesque room will make even the most inexperienced cook long to become a gourmand. The spacious granite countertops are accented with custom cabinets made of rare, tight-grained, old-growth pine reclaimed from the bottom of Lake Superior.

A Little R & RThe master bedroom is a true owner’s retreat: Lie in bed and watch the night sky light up before your eyes through immense picture windows and skylights, or relax in the spa-like master bath which includes a soothing steam shower. An oversized walk-in closet including an island storage unit and glass covered shelving for shoes is ideal for the fashionista of the household. The three additional bedroom suites and six bathrooms all feature the same attention to detail found in the rest of the home, including custom tile work, radiant heating, and built-in shelving units in the bedrooms and closets.

Victorine Ranch is also a luxurious getaway for guests. Not only do visitors have their own private guest quarters, but also a private entrance and parking. They can duck outdoors for some alone time at any hour, whether to watch the setting sun sink into the ocean, watch for falling stars under the vast night sky or to simply

Shown Left: Kitchen at Victorine Ranch

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in the early morning air.

And, if you are in need of your own alone time, the home offers limitless spaces. Stay connected to work in the private office and den. The home’s office affords an inspiring view of the surrounding wilderness and features spacious built-in shelving. Or, stay fit with the fully-equipped workout room, complete with an adjoining sauna.

For the auto enthusiast, the property includes a two-car garage with built-in loft storage. And, for serious collectors, plans have already been approved for a 4,000-square-foot addition that can house up to 10 additional vehicles.

Alone or with guests, at work or at play, Victorine Ranch has it all. “This is more than just a home. As the saying goes, you are buying a lifestyle,” Saar says. “Living in this home is an experience. These types of properties are my favorite to show; they are just exquisite and even a walk through the home is a fabulous time.”

The Great OutdoorsAzure skies will be the backdrop for any party held outdoors around the property’s swimming pool and hot tub. Whether it is a gathering of friends or family, a dip in the pool overlooking the ocean is the perfect setting for any occasion. Take a seat in the hot tub and the calm of nature mixed with the seclusion of the estate will help transport you to an exotic resort. A convenient, fully-equipped pool house is just steps away. The home’s entertainment terrace features an outdoor kitchen, perfect for poolside barbecues in the summer. And, when the nights become chilly, the custom stone fireplace can heat things up.

Like the home itself, the landscaping of Victorine Ranch has been artfully designed to combine sleek sophistication with the unspoiled coastal landscape. Over $1 million went into the creation of the home’s outdoor living spaces; the natural stonework and strategically-placed boulders both enhance the home’s exterior and blend gracefully into the surrounding wilderness.

The nature enthusiast or hiker will enjoy strolling through 100 acres of preserved wilderness located around the property. Surrounded by nature at its unspoiled best, Victorine Ranch is perfect for a variety of activities, including horseback riding. For athletic types, the home features a site that is ideal for the addition of a private tennis court. The home’s vast acreage and secluded setting give you the freedom to make it truly yours.

“The value of the land itself is indescribable. There are no other ocean front locations like this where solitude and protected lands can be found in a community so near to the amenities of a city,” Saar said. “There isn’t a team of builders who could recreate the natural beauty of the coastal hills, the ocean view, or even the surrounding wilderness that Victorine Ranch calls home.”

John Saar PropertiesJohn Saar is founder of John Saar Properties which is the largest independently-owned real estate company on the Monterey Peninsula. Saar and his team take pride in being the premier marketing team of coastal homes on the Peninsula and Big Sur.

For more information on Victorine Ranch, please contact John Saar at 831- 622-7227 or visit www.johnsaar.com. Photos by Kodiak Greenwood

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