O.J. and Gary Shansby—the philanthropic husband-and-wife duo widely known for their staunch support of the San Francisco Ballet, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and more—have listed their custom-built estate in Oakville in hopes of simplifying their lives and traveling more. Refined and restful, the property includes a chic modern farmhouse-style residence that rests on a prime 3-acre parcel of land laid out by landscape architect Claudia Schmidt amid majestic oaks, rolling hills and vineyards in the heart of wine country. It’s accompanied by a guest cottage and three-car garage designed to resemble a barn. All are perfectly suited for the huge influx of tech clients currently seeking the ideal weekend and summer getaway in Napa Valley, says Sotheby International Realty’s Ginger Martin, who is co-listing the residence (the most expensive in Napa County) with Cyd Greer of Coldwell Banker for $22.5 million.
Built by Cello & Maudru in 2014, the land previously was owned by the couple’s good friends (world-renowned video art collectors) venture capitalist Dick Kramlich and his wife, Pam, and has since been completely reimagined. “We built everything from scratch,” says O.J., who, with Gary (a noted brand builder and entrepreneur who founded Partida Tequila), still own homes in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights and Indian Wells, near Palm Springs. “Our property had 12 ancient California oaks, and we added more than 90 additional mature trees, over 300 shrubs, a fruit orchard, and more flowers and features than I can enumerate. We also added a beautiful walkway of ancient olive trees that extends from our courtyard to the guest cottage.”
Nestled atop a knoll at 600 Oakville Cross Road—just minutes from downtown Napa, Yountville and St. Helena—the main single-level house was designed by noted Bay Area architect Sandy Walker and features 5,537 square feet of rustic yet refined living space crafted by the late Sonoma-based interior designer Barbara Colvin. Expect an open, light-filled floor plan showcasing vaulted ceilings boasting handcut Douglas fir beams paired with white oak and limestone flooring, serenely smooth plaster walls and glass pocket doors that open to reveal seamless indoor-outdoor environs. An added bonus: panoramic views of rolling hills and the adjacent vineyards from every direction.
Among the highlights are a spacious master retreat with a fireplace and wealth of his-and-hers spaces, a library, an office and O.J.’s favorite space: a sunroom with vaulted ceiling and steel doors that open on three sides to present the ideal entertaining area. A living room with a limestone fireplace leads to a secluded stone terrace, while a professional chef’s kitchen is outfitted with a massive center island equipped with a prep sink and warming drawers, as well as Viking and Sub-Zero appliances and a butler’s pantry. A temperature-controlled wine cellar with room for 850 bottles is among the amenities, as is a home theater, wet bar, and gym and massage room.
The picturesque grounds definitely steal the show here, however. Think pathways that meander among ancient olive trees; an oak grove with a fireplace; rose, dahlia and herb gardens; an orchard; and a grassy green lawn abutting the heated pool and spa. Topping it all off: a separate 1,266-square-foot guest house replete with one bedroom, two baths, a kitchenette, a living area, laundry facilities, an outdoor shower and access to an attractive arbor-covered loggia sporting a fireplace and built-in barbecue.
“The location and the setting, with the extensive gardens and trees all brought in to create this incredible estate, is, bar none, one of the most exclusive and hard to find in Napa Valley,” says Martin. “There is chic, and then there is ultrachic. This home was divinely curated to create a one-of-a-kind wine country experience.”
Adds O.J. : “Our location, privacy, spectacular views, magnificent landscape and key location continue to make this one of the very best properties and homes in the Napa Valley. Our home, gardens and setting is magical!”
