"La Querencia"

“La Querencia”- a magical place of strength, safety, and sense of home.  

 La Querencia Booklet

Along the Alamo Pintado wine trail is an enchanting 37+ acre private estate located in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley in the highly sought after Ballard School District.  Imagine eaEBrochurerly Santa Ynez and California ranch living....no pretense, just a sense of home and quality.

The in-town location is ideal for convenience, yet the house is extremely private and tucked away in a grove of majestic old growth oak trees.  A gated entry opens to a tree-lined driveway, flanked by antique stone pillars, meandering over a bridge and through the park-like grounds, giving a sense of sanctuary and retreat upon arrival.   

The 1930’s rambling farmhouse is nestled in a picturesque setting of mature trees and landscape beside a tranquil, seasonal creek. The classic California ranch house exudes warmth and charm and features a sun filled living room, anchored by a large wood burning fireplace and marvelous screened sunroom on the east side.

Over the years, the house expanded to feature six-bedrooms, but always centered around the kitchen and its' dual sided wood burning fireplace with French doors opening to the outside patio and BBQ areas. 

A butler pantry opens to a formal dining room and an additional screened porch that could accommodate further seating for larger parties or family gatherings.   The rooms are gracious in size with an airy ceiling height not commonly found in this architectural style and era.  While the majority of the house has been exquisitely renovated by a renowned designer, much of its original charm intentionally remains; 3 wood burning brick fireplaces, hardwood floors, herringbone brick floors, tongue and groove ceilings, original door and window hardware, and French doors which lend to the light and bright ambiance. The house is complete with a 2-car garage, 2 additional covered spaces, and an office. With a seamless blend of old-world charm and modern comforts, this home invites you to embrace a slower pace of life.

Outside, a world of leisure awaits. A sparkling swimming pool invites you to cool off on warm summer days, while a rejuvenating spa beckons for moments of relaxation. The tri-tip barbecue area sets the stage for traditional Santa Maria-style grilling and entertaining under the stars. A tennis/pickleball court offers opportunities for recreation and exercise, surrounded by the natural beauty of the landscape.

For guests or extended family, a darling detached one-bedroom guest house provides a private retreat.  Nearby are the stables and barns; perfect for keeping your animals close by and adding to the property's rich history and charm. There are two 2 front pastures for grazing and to the north of the drive, is a large parcel of land farmed seasonally by a local farmer. Additionally, there are approximately 17 acres on the upper plateau which can be accessed by the private farm road.  This could be an opportunity for vines, further pastures, or simply kept as a natural buffer.

Positioned at the forefront of the renowned wine trail, it's just a stone's throw from the beautiful areas of Ballard, Solvang, Santa Ynez, and Los Olivos. Conveniently close to schools, specialty grocery stores, award winning bakeries, local coffee shops, boutiques, and prized restaurants, this property offers both tranquility and accessibility.