Ghost Donkey Ranch
Incorrect password
Ghost Donkey Ranch was envisioned as a place where the landscape would lead, and architecture would follow quietly behind. Spanning 227 acres between Calistoga and Healdsburg, long sightlines, open space, and natural materials allow the home to feel fully connected to the land.
Spanning 227 acres in the coveted and quietly preserved enclave of Knights Valley, the ranch unfolds from valley floor to rolling hills beneath a canopy of native oaks. Redwood Creek traces one boundary, while surrounding ranches and vineyards reinforce a sense of pastoral seclusion.
Set discreetly behind neighboring properties, the ranch is remarkably private—free from road noise, interruption, or visual intrusion.
This is Sonoma County at its most authentic—untouched, expansive, and deeply serene.
At first glance, the residence appears almost as a mirage—a refined, geometric structure rising from wild grasslands, reminiscent of an agricultural barn yet distinctly modern.
Designed by Adam Gordon and Tom Kundig, the home is a steel-and-glass structure clad in stone—both grounded and ethereal. Inspired by the simplicity of rural forms and global design influences, it evokes the feeling of a “glass-walled tent,” dissolving the boundary between interior and landscape.
This is architecture not imposed on the land—but in conversation with it.
Ghost Donkey Ranch is more than a residence—it is a living system grounded in regenerative principles.
The land is maintained without pesticides, fertilizers, or chemical agents. Water usage is minimal. Native ecosystems are preserved. Cattle roam naturally, drinking from stream and trough, while wildlife thrives uninterrupted.
Every decision here reflects a singular philosophy: to live lightly, responsibly, and in harmony with the natural world.
Expansive sliding glass doors and two dramatic hydraulic, airplane-hangar-style windows open the home entirely to its surroundings—transforming walls into horizon. The living room and primary suite dissolve into open air.
With a thoughtful 28-foot-wide footprint, every space remains within 14 feet of natural light—ensuring a constant, immersive connection to the outdoors.
The interiors are quietly luxurious—warm, restrained, and deeply tactile.
A linen-clad sofa anchors the living space alongside vintage Pierre Jeanneret chairs. A custom rosewood dining table pairs with a classic Knoll base. Handcrafted wood stools and curated pieces introduce texture and authenticity throughout.
Artworks created from deconstructed 19th-century textiles lend narrative and depth, while every element reflects a philosophy of simplicity without compromise.
4,200 sq ft
3 bed · 3 bath
10-car show garage,
4-car garage at house
227 acres of redwood,
oak, and olive groves
Two detached casitas,
1 bedroom, 1 bath, and kitchenette
Ghost Donkey Ranch is not simply a place to live, but a place where the land has quietly shaped new ideas, new work, and entirely new ventures.
In 2018, a conversation with SingleThread chef Kyle Connaughton set something unexpected in motion. He spoke about sourcing nearly everything for his Michelin star kitchen in Healdsburg within a forty mile radius, except for the prized A5 wagyu flown in from Japan. The idea lingered and fueled a well-researched passion project. Knights Valley Wagyu was established on the ranch, an onsite herd of roughly eighty wagyu raised for champion genetics and allowed to roam freely across the rolling pastures. “The vision was simple,” Gordon says. “Raise the very best wagyu we could, and share it only with chefs we admired, within bicycling distance of the ranch.”
Years later, the landscape inspired something far more delicate. In 2022, Authored by the Sun was created, a collection of small batch self-care products made from botanicals gathered directly from the property and neighboring farms and vineyards. Working with women in agriculture across Sonoma and Napa, the project became a quiet collective rooted in soil, seasons, and the natural abundance of the region.
The ranch reflects a deeply personal vision shaped over years.
Before building, the design team lived on the land—studying its seasons, light, and energy—to determine the perfect placement and design.
The result is a property that feels both deeply rooted and entirely transportive—a place shaped as much by patience and observation as by expertise.
From the gentle presence of miniature donkeys Sugi and Jinx—who roam freely across the property—to curated artistic details and hidden design moments, the ranch is filled with personality.
Every corner offers a sense of discovery—playful, thoughtful, and entirely unique.
Ghost Donkey Ranch is not simply a property—it is an experience, a philosophy, and a legacy.
A place where design, land, and lifestyle converge in a way that is increasingly rare—and impossible to replicate.
