A 52-acre estate in California’s wine country, once part of Hollywood actor Fred MacMurray’s sprawling ranch where he raised Scottish Black Angus cattle, has hit the market for $22 million. Located in Healdsburg’s Russian River Valley, the property includes 26 acres of organically farmed Pinot Noir vineyards, three residences and interiors by renowned designer Ken Fulk. According to Mansion Global, the asking price also includes the furnishings.Known as Flax Estate and Vineyard, the property is owned by philanthropists and restaurateurs Jeffrey and Laurie Ubben, who purchased it in 2016 for $21 million. The estate was originally formed from three parcels of MacMurray’s 1,750-acre ranch, which dates back to 1941.
Fred MacMurray’s former ranch has a Hollywood legacy
MacMurray, who enjoyed a career spanning five decades, appeared in more than 100 films. His credits include Billy Wilder’s 1944 classic Double Indemnity and popular Disney films such as The Shaggy Dog and The Absent-Minded Professor. He also played Steve Douglas, the father in the sitcom My Three Sons, which aired from 1960 to 1972.During his ownership of the sprawling ranch, MacMurray raised Scottish Black Angus cattle. Today, a portion of that historic property has evolved into a working vineyard estate that combines its Hollywood past with modern country living.“Rarely do we see a property with so much provenance,” said Alain-Martin Pierret of Compass Healdsburg, who co-listed the estate with colleague Haley Skerrett. He described it as a “pedigree boutique vineyard” and compared the grounds to a private Yosemite Park.The vineyard operation is reportedly ready to continue under new ownership. Buyers also have the option of hiring DuMOL, the winery co-owned by the Ubbens, to manage the vineyard.
Three homes, vineyard views and interiors by Ken Fulk
The estate comprises three residences: a renovated 1940s farmhouse, a contemporary home and a rebuilt caretaker’s cottage. It also has direct access to the Russian River and includes an entertainment barn.The approximately 4,000-square-foot contemporary home stands among mature oak trees and features a distinctive white geometric design. It has four bedrooms, four full bathrooms and one half bathroom. Expansive glass walls frame views of Mount St. Helena and Fitch Mountain.“It feels like a giant treehouse,” Pierret said, describing the home’s natural light, large windows and connection to the surrounding landscape.The 1940s farmhouse offers approximately six bedrooms and bathrooms, along with a range of recreational amenities. These include a 75-foot swimming pool, a spa, a gym, a sauna, tennis and bocce courts, orchards, and flower and vegetable gardens.“It has a porch, a gigantic dining room and a family room,” Pierret said. He added that the two main homes offer distinctly different lifestyles and decor, allowing residents to experience two different settings within the same estate.The two-bedroom caretaker’s cottage was rebuilt by the Ubbens. The interiors across the property were designed by Ken Fulk, whose work adds to the estate’s appeal. The furnishings are included in the $22 million asking price.
Estate served as a retreat for musicians, family and friends
The Ubbens have used Flax Estate and Vineyard as both a private retreat and a gathering place for musicians. They have hosted singer-songwriters and bands performing at Little Saint, their farm-to-table vegan restaurant and music venue in Healdsburg.The property also became a refuge for family and friends during the Covid-19 pandemic. “During the pandemic, we housed New York City escapees, our kids and their friends, and 12 dogs,” Jeffrey Ubben said in a statement.Today, the estate continues to serve as a family gathering place, with the couple’s grandchildren enjoying the grounds and picking grapes from the vines, according to Ubben.
Who are the owners Jeffrey Ubben and Laurie Ubben?
Jeffrey Ubben is the co-founder of San Francisco-based investment management firm ValueAct Capital. He also led Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in 2003 and 2004, during a period when lifestyle entrepreneur Martha Stewart faced federal securities and obstruction charges.The Ubbens made headlines in 2019 after donating $50 million to support scholarships at Northwestern University.Now listed for $22 million, the Healdsburg estate brings together a working vineyard, distinctive architecture, designer interiors and a connection to Hollywood history. Once part of MacMurray’s cattle ranch, the property has evolved into a private wine-country retreat with three homes, river access and established Pinot Noir vines.
