I'm the owner and managing broker of one of very few remaining privately owned and operated boutique real estate companies in Napa and Sonoma Valley's extraordinary wine country. St. Helena Real Estate, Inc. is in the top 5% in sales volume each year, competing against larger corporate or franchise real estate firms with 30-500 agents. We are an office of 5 full time brokers and agents who provide hand's on, personal service to our clients. This is not a market where buyers can purchase a home on the Internet. Wine country is very specialized and there are many factors buyers must be aware of before investing here. Out of area agents continue to try to represent buyers here but it's not possible to fully represent their buyers without living and working here and having a complete understanding of zoning, location, road noise, etc.

My ancestors settled in Napa Valley in the mid-1800's. I was blessed to grow up in St. Helena when children played outdoors, hiked the hills, rode horses almost anywhere and local merchants served locals. I headed off to college, anxious to get out of this small valley and explore the world. I traveled enough to realize not many other places were as gorgeous as Napa Valley. I knew I would return to the valley because my first husband was in the wine business. I changed my major to Early Childhood Education, graduated and founded the first preschool with extended day care St. Helena had ever seen. My school served over 60 families a year for 10 yrs. I sold my school in 1987 and decided to start a new career in real estate. In the past 31 years, I've founded 3 local real estate companies. I love matching buyers with listings and finding buyers for sellers.