Photos by Hank Gregg and Adam Wayland
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the estate of Monte Ventoso is situated in Virginia’s pristine Madison County. This Mediterranean-style retreat was conceived by its owner and creator, Jennifer Price, an international holistic health coach, who, like her father, grandfather and great-grandfather, was born and raised in Madison County.
Inspired by the 2006 film “A Good Year,” Price wanted to create a space where people experience love, joy and friendship in a beautiful and relaxed setting. She envisioned family dinners and laughter by the pool forging unforgettable memories.
“I wanted to create a sanctuary much like the vineyard featured in the film,” said Price, “where beauty, relaxation and connection come together seamlessly.”
Price designed the 5,153-square-foot house, and with the help of a draftsman, presented the plans to local builder Bruce Bowmen in 2010, who finished the project in 18 months. The Italian-style villa has a traditional stucco exterior, terracotta tile roof and plastered interior. A handmade tiered fountain from Italy graces the center of the circular driveway.
The compound, including guest quarters, offers five bedrooms, six and a half baths, ample living and lounging areas indoors and outdoors, an indoor gourmet kitchen and an outdoor cooking area.
Thoughtfully designed interiors blend classical style with modern conveniences. The main house and terraces feature stone floors, while the guest quarter boasts hand-made terracotta tiles from Mexico with wild dog paw prints on some tiles. All indoor spaces have radiant heat with emergency power provided by two generators.
The spacious terrace at the back leads to a patio with an outdoor dual-sided fireplace. A gym/yoga studio is situated at the far end of the sparkling ozone pool with a hot tub and cold plunge. Across the lawn from the pool area, gardens accentuated by walkways, statuaries, arbors and trellises lead to a screened-in vegetable garden and greenhouse. The balance of the manicured 17.5 acres offers several side gardens.
Madison County is named after the Madison family from which President James Madison was a descendant. A significant portion of western Madison County lies within The Shenandoah National Park. The beautiful mountains and pristine streams attracted the attention of President Herbert Hoover, an avid fisherman. In 1929, Hoover built a presidential retreat where two streams merge to form the Rapidan River. The camp was donated to the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1932 so other presidents could enjoy it, and in December 1935, it officially became part of Shenandoah National Park. The county offers a variety of outdoor activities from trout fishing and horseback riding, to hunting, backpacking and birding.
Monte Ventoso, meaning “Windy Mountain” in Italian, is aptly named because of the constant gentle breeze the property enjoys. A serene environment for an idyllic life, it is only 10 minutes from the Town of Madison, less than an hour to Charlottesville and two hours to Washington, D.C. It is offered for purchase at $7.75 million. For more information and an appointment, contact Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty at (434) 296-0134.
Franklin Hardy grew up in Virginia
and is a screenwriter based in Los Angeles, California.
