A Taste of Wine Country
What’s more California than relaxing in a sunny space with a glass of wine in your hand? Here are two inspiring homes with tasting areas from Napa and Sonoma counties in California wine country.
Rustic Modern Villa
![An open dining room with a built-in custom bar for wine tasting, and a high ceiling. The room is designed in off-whites, beiges, copper colors, and warm cherry wood. 8 off-white leather dining chairs from Roche Bobois surround a reclaimed wood rectangular dining table. A white, tiered, mod-style plaster light fixture from Bourgeouis Boheme counters the height of the ceilings and brings sophistication and lightness to the dining space.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Wine-Country-Jennifer-Robin-Dining-via-Elle-Decor.jpg)
I like the reclaimed wood dining table and walls treated by soda blasting, a process that brings extra grain and life to the wood in this custom bar.
![A closeup view of the bar, with white oak wood custom cabinetry below and patina-mirrored tiles above reflecting the vineyard, with white oak open shelves and glass door cabinets above the counter. A wine chiller is visible through the glass door underneath the counter, between cabinet doors, one concealing a mini dishwasher.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Wine-Country-Jennifer-Robin-Napa-Bar-via-Elle-Decor.jpg)
White oak cabinetry creates a natural foundation for the built-in bar while mirrored tiles reflect the vineyard views.
![A tall, corner aspect window with a view out to the mountains and vineyards frames a comfortable living room with a stone fireplace and stone walls extending up towards exposed beams and a white ceiling. A dark blue sofa sits at a 90-degree angle to a double-sided leather bench seat. Behind the blue sofa is a console table with a pair of blue table lamps and white lampshades. An antique mirror sits above the fireplace without a mantel, on a shelf.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Wine-Country-Jennifer-Robin-Napa-LR-via-Elle-Decor.jpg)
A bench in the living room faces both sides, to connect two seating zones and the gorgeous view.
![A white oak kitchen with white ceilings and medium-brown wood exposed beams. Large windows that wrap around the room are outlined in black metal and have no blinds or dressing. A deep farmhouse sink in stainless steel has a gooseneck faucet and the cook top's hood is also in stainless steel. A pair of modern white stools on black metal legs sit at the close end of the large kitchen island with a second small sink at the far end of the white concrete countertop.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Wine-Country-Jennifer-Robin-Rustic-Modern-Kitchen-via-Elle-Decor.jpg)
For entertaining in the kitchen, durable concrete countertops balance the reclaimed wood ceiling beams’ rustic aesthetic. Chic stools provide a hint of industrial glamour.
Wine Country Farmhouse
![A very high ceiling of exposed wood beams warms up a wine tasting space created by metal window frames, looking out to a view of green trees and orchards. Natural off-white curtains are gathered next to a concrete post on the sides of the windows. Oversized floor tiles in bronze with darker patina support a dining set on delicate black metal legs, which a wooden top on the rectangular dining table, dressed with 3 vases of greens, a flask full of wine, and table settings for 5 that we can see -- the end of the table on the right is cut off by the camera. One chair is pulled out as if ready to welcome you.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Wine-Country-Farmhouse-Jute-Interiors-Dining-Detail-via-OneKindesign.jpg)
Large expanses of metal-frame windows take in the gorgeous views of rolling hills and vineyards for tasting sessions here.
![An outdoor tasting table and set of chairs on silver metal legs that form a rounded X shape. The chairs have slatted wooden back and simple pads atop the wooden seats. A carafe of water sits in a round serving tray with other items. A block of cheese and bunch of grapes are spilling off to the side from a dark wooden bowl. Concrete blocks are textured to ensure the flooring isn't too slippery when it rains. A large metal overhead pendant hangs from a warm, wood ceiling. A single concrete column holds up the ceiling and frames the view beyond of the mountains and green hills. A corner window is just visible to the right, showing off the edge of another space nearby that also shares the view.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Wine-Country-Farmhouse-Jute-Interiors-Tasting.jpg)
Or you could move to an indoor-outdoor tasting area with a more expansive view.
![A dark woven outdoor sofa and pair of matching chairs sit facing each other, with off-white, natural-color seat cushions and matching loose back pillows, plus same-size throw pillows in dark brown. On the low table between, a serving tray holds a carafe of lemon water and 3 unopened bottles of spritzer. A book and a plate of fruit also adorn the table. Behind the sofa (on the left) is a light-colored stone wall with grey grout. Above the seating area is a warm wood ceiling and dark metal pendant light hanging down on a chain. Beyond the seating area is a swimming pool, and beyond that are vines and green hills reaching towards the green mountains in the distance, with blue skies above and a single puffy white cloud.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Wine-Country-Farmhouse-Jute-Interiors-Patio.jpg)
If you have a place in wine country, I can help!
Kimball Starr designs for homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.