The Hidden Gems of Chateau Noel, Stonepine Estate’s Storied Centerpiece

Known as a sought-after wedding and events venue, Stonepine Estate’s 407-acre property is tucked, like a secret treasure, within the cradle of the Carmel Valley hills, sheltered by majestic oaks and pines. Nestled within this stunning landscape is Chateau Noel, a red-roofed villa that artfully blends French and Italian architectural styles. Step further inside, into the chateau itself, and you’ll find a plethora of hidden gems waiting to be discovered by the discerning eye.

Built in 1929 by the banking and railway heiress Helen Crocker and her husband, Henry Potter Russell, Stonepine is also home to the Double H Ranch, a boarding and riding center that has operated continuously for 90 years, and today offers facilities for dressage, show jumping, and racing. (Double H Ranch was the estate’s original name, after Helen and Henry, before it was changed to Stonepine — a nod to the stone pines that were imported from the Mediterranean and now grow on the property.) In 1983, Stonepine passed from the Russells to Gordon and Noel Hentschel, who turned the estate into a resort that has hosted boldfaced names of all stripes — including A-list actors like Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, comedians Gilda Radner and Mel Brooks, and billionaire philanthropists Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. Alan Alda and a group of friends once held a spontaneous murder mystery party here.

Christened for its second owner, Chateau Noel was designed by Beaux-arts architect Francis Burrall Hoffman; he’s perhaps best known for the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, built for businessman James Deering and now a National Historic Landmark. While Stonepine’s villa is often described as being in the Tuscan style, Hoffman drew from French inspirations as well — specifically from two legendary chateaus, Le Colombe d’Or outside of Nice and Chateau d’Esclimont near Paris. The result is a gorgeous fusion of the two: French limestone fireplaces and Italian artisan columns, Parisian-style balconies with wrought-iron railings below red-tiled roofs reminiscent of the Mediterranean.

When they purchased the estate, the Hentschels set out to preserve the house’s original character and European craftsmanship, including restoring the chateau’s original hardwood floors, which had been covered by carpets since the 1950s. Over the years, a new life was brought to Stonepine through its transformation into an elegant wedding and events venue. Today, couples who tie the knot here (as well as those looking to host corporate retreats, gatherings, and getaways) have the unique opportunity to travel back in time and experience a cosmopolitan California of a century ago during their stay at one of Chateau Noel’s well-appointed suites. Here are some of the spots throughout the estate where guests can catch glimpses of that past. 

1. Landscape and Garden

Supported by carved arches imported from Italy, the villa’s loggia creates a graceful segue from the interior to the stone patio and the 12 formal, terraced gardens that surround the chateau. As you wander through the grounds, you’ll find whimsical statues, hedges sculpted in the shape of wild creatures, bubbling fountains, a giant chess board laid out on a velvety expanse of emerald lawn, and inviting benches and chaises set beneath canopies of blooms. The carefully preserved rose garden, winner of the 1956 Horticultural Award for Best Gardens in America, boasts fragrant blossoms in multicolored hues, from canary yellow to deep fuchsia. There’s also a memorial rose garden planted for the late Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was a close friend of Noel.

2. Wood Paneling

One of the most remarkable features of the villa is the museum-quality, hand-carved cherry paneling on the walls of the library and dining room. In the morning and evening, the burnished wood catches the Carmel Valley light and suffuses the rooms with a warm glow. Dating back to the 19th century, the paneling is thought to have been a gift to the Russell family, the villa’s original owners.

3. Historic Hearths

The nine grand fireplaces throughout the villa bring both warmth and drama. For many guests, fireside dining is an unforgettable part of the Stonepine experience. The focal point of the main living room is the chateau’s most impressive hearth: a seven-foot-tall, 18th-century fireplace of carved limestone imported from France and constructed by European artisans. It was here, beside the flickering flames, that Doris Day interviewed guests on her talk show “Doris Day’s Best Friends,” with the actor Rock Hudson featured as her first and most famous guest.

4. Prohibition-Era Secrets

The chateau’s library and dining room feature concealed spaces, hidden behind the dark-wood walls, that were used for storing — and enjoying — alcohol during the Prohibition era (1920–1933). The former speakeasy secreted behind a wall of the library now offers a perfect photo opp for soon-to-weds getting ready with their nearest and dearest before the big moment.

5. Hidden Loft Space

The top-floor loft of the chateau had been relegated to storage space for antiques until the Hentschels reopened it and transformed it into a sitting room in what is now the two-story Taittinger suite. The luxurious accommodations, with a fireplace, balcony, and two bathtubs, boast 270-degree views of the estate and the hills beyond. Named for the Taittinger champagne house based in Reims, France, the suite is fittingly refurbished in shades of cream and pale gold.

6. Waterfall Pavillion

Gordon and Noel built this special space in 2008 to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Beside a small pond with a waterfall, with an awe-inspiring view of the Carmel Valley hills rising above the chateau, this romantic spot has inspired the vows of many a bride and groom. Emma Watson reportedly enjoyed relaxing at the pavilion during her stay at Stonepine after filming “The Circle.” Here you can enjoy afternoon tea or a glass of wine, with the melody of the falls providing a bucolic backdrop. Like each of the chateau’s secluded treasures, it invites you to step back, if only for a moment, to a simpler, more peaceful time.

Want to experience the magic of Chateau Noel in person? To host a wedding, a private party, or a corporate retreat at Stonepine Estate, reach out to us here.