The Brassfield Estate Winery is a multi-phased project that exhibits a beautiful Tuscan style winery and vineyards above Clearlake in Northern California. The winery is situated on 2500 acres in the western section of High Valley in Lake County. Besides construction of a winery, the resident and guest amenities are being expanded, a cave with over a mile of tunnels is under construction, and an olive grove has been planted along with several other garden areas. 

Since the first vineyard was planted in 2001, the Brassfield Estate has been built on principles of sustainability. All of the granite walkways and paths around the winery and tasting facility were salvaged from the federal building's courtyard located in downtown San Francisco. The beautiful large timbers that frame the arbors and fireplace pavilion were once part of the Town and Country Mall that is now Santana Row in San Jose. The roof tiles were reclaimed from the once-grand Villa Felice in Los Gatos (circa 1900). The bricks throughout the property are over 100 years old and were salvaged from the Visalia Bros. Winery, and then used at the Di Napoli cannery in San Jose until 1993. The large limestone Griffon fountain in the center courtyard was once owned by Clark Gable and was salvaged from his Malibu Estate. All of the olive trees were saved and dug from land slated for development in Central California. Wildlife "corridors" were created between the sustainably farmed vineyards to allow the abundant wildlife to move freely through the estate. The walnut wine bars, doors, and other features throughout the compound were created from fallen trees from the walnut grove on site. Even the tasting room chandelier was salvaged from the Bank of America's Board Room in San Francisco. 

D. Turner Landscape Architecture has been the prime design consultant at the Brassfield Estate Winery since its inception in 2000. Laying out all buildings, roadways for both the winery and vineyards, all parking areas, all walkways and trails, and all patio, terrace and garden areas. 

(photos courtesy of Nick Elias) 

This bluff-top estate features a mill house with  water-wheel, a stream and series of cascades, a koi pond with biological filtration, a chicken coop, organic vegetable gardens and fruit orchard, extensive rose gardens, a lap pool, and sweeping views of the Palos Verdes Penninsula, Santa Catalina Island, and the Pacific Ocean. 

The design and planning for this site focused on complimenting the panoramic views of the Los Angeles basin and Pacific Ocean while screening the owner from an adjacent city reservoir tank. A specially designed water feature with a cave steam room adjoins the pool and diving area, creating maximum outdoor usage for the owner and his many guests, while shielding them from the unsightly tank. 

This estate, nestled on top of a ridge in Bel Air, features city vistas on one side, and mountain and ocean views on the other. A series of formal terraced gardens were designed to compliment the Spanish revival style house and create more usable space for hosting events. Special attention was paid to creating a graceful transition between each unique space of the garden. 

To enhance the scenic beauty and value of this homeowner condominium property, and remedy the serious site flaw, a documented and well researched botanical garden was designed and created. The garden plan, designed under Ron Oprzadek and Associates, revolves around two main courtyard areas, each with a featured design and the entirety is connected by numerous paths and smaller courtyard gardens. The intent is to direct the collective attention to the garden settings and away from the lack of ocean or natural views. The first courtyard focuses on a natural style lagoon with a multitude of aquatic and marsh plants. A palm-laden lawn with pastoral views is featured in the second area. Each main entry lobby, five in all, emphasizes a special plant collection. 

The client's interest in this Las Vegas ranch was relatively simple: keep the existing duck pond, provide privacy from neighbors, and make it look like the mountains of Montana. Creative grading, the use of both real and faux rock, and dense planting was used to achieve this effect. 

This estate lies in one of Malibu's most beautiful canyons. The house and landscape were remodeled and rejuvenated for the new owners. Of special interest is the custom biological filtration system that was designed for the existing windmill and waterwheel pond to create habitats natural to this setting. 

A small hillside lot (1/3 acre) with no useable flat space was transformed to accommodate a pool and spa, with decks and terraces allowing the homeowner to enjoy the natural beauty of the adjoining state forest. Numerous paths were created through carefully constructed hillside landscape planning. 

A double beach front lot that features an infinity edge pool and spa with views of Point Dume to the south and Lechuza Point to the north.