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Farm-to-Table Living: 6 Homes with Gardens, Greenhouses & Groves

From the Cornish countryside to Argentine Patagonia, these rural retreats give farming glamorous appeal

The advent of the farm-to-table movement has inspired many homeowners to try growing their own food. Lifestyle guru Martha Stewart is also a devotee. Her new HGTV show Martha Knows Best takes an up-close, detailed focus on her latest gardening and landscaping projects on her farm in Bedford, New York. Recipes may well be involved. In honor of her latest venture, we present a collection of six properties where landscaped gardens are complemented by fragrant flower beds, where greenhouses sit alongside orchards, and where walled kitchen gardens grow herbs just steps from the stove. Not only are these country houses set on significant acreage, they are luxurious private retreats with all the creature comforts, great and small. Martha Stewart would approve.

Olivera in Attica, Greece

The Olivera estate in Attica, Greece, has a picturesque setting overlooking the Aegean Sea. The gently sloping grounds are planted with olive and citrus trees, plants, and flowers, and bordered by a forest. The villa was created in the 1960s in the style of a Spanish hacienda. The two-story 14,370-square-foot residence features grandly appointed reception and entertainment areas, seven en suite bedrooms (three of which are suites), a family recreation room, several kitchens, and five staff rooms. The heart of the home is the living room: On one side, it opens to a pool terrace surrounded by hanging gardens; on the other side is a terrace facing the azure waters of the Aegean. A romantic pathway leads through an ancient olive grove to a secluded white sand and pebble beach.

Green Gables – The Estate in Woodside, California

Green Gables is an extraordinary estate of 74 acres that has remained intact since its inception in 1911 by the business magnate Mortimer Fleishhacker. The heart of Green Gables is the magnificent main residence and gardens. Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene designed the main house, which features original furnishings selected and designed by legendary interior decorator Elsie de Wolfe. The estate includes six additional dwellings, each nestled in its own private setting. Noteworthy among them is a lovely 1930s home designed by acclaimed Modernist architect William Wurster. Green Gables is celebrated for its expansive grounds, which mix formal gardens, orchards, a glorious vegetable and flower garden, and woodlands, including the Camperdown Elm Allée, a striking avenue of meticulously pruned trees. There are also three swimming pools, a tennis court, private roads and wooded riding trails, and a reservoir. Green Gables offers an unparalleled breadth of homes, natural habitat, and land for enjoyment, relaxation, and development in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Stazzu Olivastri is a traditional Galluran estate in the verdant hills above La Liscia Beach, with breathtaking views of Porto Pollo and the archipelago of La Maddalena. Set on nearly 7.5 acres of lush Mediterranean gardens, this unique property is composed of four historic dwellings, restored by the architect-owner to preserve the original structural elements with the addition of contemporary comforts. The heart of the three-bedroom main house is a covered verandah with living and dining areas and a kitchen, and yet that rustic exterior’s simplicity of stone and wood contrasts with elegant, contemporary interiors spaces with rich fixtures, furnishings and fabrics. Stone terraces flow out to fragrant gardens with sweeping vistas of the Sardinian coastline.

Brook Farm Vineyards in Cavendish, Vermont

Brook Farm is a grand summer mansion and vineyard reimagined for the 21st century. The elegant Georgian Revival house sits on more than 43 acres graced with stone walls, perennial gardens, an orchard, berry bushes, ponds and a four-acre vineyard and winery. The grounds also include outbuildings and barns and a beautifully renovated farmhouse. The main house, the Bates Mansion, was built between 1894 and 1898. The 8,082-square-foot interiors are airy and sophisticated. Wraparound porches overlook the vineyards and mountains in the distance. The first floor is anchored by the great room, with its large fireplace, half-turn grand staircase, and soaring elliptical balconied entrance. The dining room, in all its Gilded Age grandeur, is served by a modern kitchen. There are eight bedrooms, four of which have fireplaces and three with private bathrooms. The third floor, home to the original ballroom, was transformed into the ultimate playroom.

Private Peninsula Estate in Rolling Hills, California

Situated on one of the highest points in Palos Verde, this lavish seven-acre estate occupies a private peninsula with views of the shoreline to Catalina Island. Ten years in the making, the property has secluded walkways connecting the main house and the contemplative serenity of the Zen garden, its olive trees and gentle fountain. Indoors flows to outdoor living with floor-to-ceiling windows and multiple glass doors opening to the decks and the dining and lounging spaces, with a Jacuzzi overlooking the water. The primary suite has garden access, dual bathrooms—and offices. The open living plan is the ultimate in contemporary California lifestyle design, its open chef’s kitchen executed in Carrera marble with Tommy Mitchell butterfly chandeliers overhead. Among the world-class facilities are an Olympic-sized dressage ring, corral and barn; a tennis/basketball court with plenty of room for spectators (and a built-in service area); and an infinity pool and Jacuzzi. The guest house has a full kitchen and large living area which open to resort-like decks and a built-in barbecue space.

Patagonia River Ranch in Neuquén, Argentina

Patagonia River Ranch sits on about 500 acres in the most prolific 50-mile stretch of fishing waters on the Chimehuin River, with over a half-mile of river frontage, cultivated gardens, multiple greenhouses, and a gazebo. Built of native stone and timber, the main lodge is a working guest ranch—but could be an ultimate personal estancia. Its great room, anchored by a rusticated stone fireplace, has floor-to-ceiling windows, a custom chandelier, and an antique bar. There are seven en suite bedrooms. The primary suite features a stone fireplace and a large walk-in closet. Its bathroom has terrazzo marble flooring, custom vanity, Jacuzzi tub, and a large shower. The grounds include two guest cottages, each with living room, bedroom, and bathroom; employee and guide quarters; a horse barn and stables; machine/storage sheds; and outdoor barbecue area. The lodge serves a fly-fishing and adventure-oriented clientele, and comes with an exclusive client database, reservation and marketing management systems, turnkey administration, and all fishing equipment and supplies.