Jack McCauley, design mastermind behind the video game Guitar Hero, is selling his luxurious vineyard estate in Northern California — which features a next-level pool with waterfalls, a grotto and tall palm trees — through a no-reserve auction beginning later this month, Concierge Auctions announced.
The estate in the East Bay city of Pleasanton, near Silicon Valley and 40 miles from San Francisco, was originally listed for $8.998 million, according to Concierge Auctions, which is handling the auction.
Bidding begins Nov. 30, 2023. Starting bids between $2.8 million and $5.5 million are expected, according to Concierge Auctions. The property will sell with no reserve, which means the estate goes to the highest bidder regardless of price.
McCauley also was co-founder of virtual reality company Oculus. In 2014, Facebook acquired the company for $2 billion.
With sweeping views of Mount Diablo, McCauley’s home at 1333 Montrose Place sits on 14 acres. The main residence spans 6,535 square feet with seven bedrooms and six bathrooms.
The bright, sunlit interior is highlighted by a grand entrance, elegant formal dining room, breakfast nook next to the gourmet kitchen and a comfortable sitting room with a fireplace. A state-of-the-art movie theater and a sizable game room provide ample entertainment space.
“The open floor plan brings people together for casual gatherings and more formal affairs,” the Concierge Auctions property site says.
The backyard is stunning, thanks to the design work of architect Mark Schatz, known for his work on Four Seasons Resorts. The pool area is shaded by 11 Canary Island palm trees. The swimming pool itself is Northern California’s largest private pool, according to the listing. The resort-like area includes four waterfalls, a grotto and a covered hot tub. There are bocce ball and shuffleboard courts and a putting green.
An entertainment pavilion, crafted of Hawaiian Koa wood, provides a gourmet outdoor kitchen, overhead heaters, a misting system, a changing room equipped with a steam spa shower and a bar that seats 20.
Five of the compound’s 14 acres are dedicated to grapevines, including one acre of Sauvignon Blanc and four acres of Cabernet Sauvignon. The boutique winery produces about 1,000 cases annually, according to the property listing. The winery features a modern 3,500-square-foot tasting room and a cold-storage building. The wines have earned an impressive 95/100 rating by Wine Enthusiast, the property listing says.
As might be expected of a high-tech entrepreneur, the house integrates Vantage and Savant SmartHome technologies, run from a centralized server center, and a state-of-the-art monitoring system. Eco-friendly, the property has the largest private solar farm in Silicon Valley, according to the property listing, and offers “multiple” high-powered EV charging stations. The 33,000 kilowatt solar farm generates four times the power of standard systems.
“1333 Montrose Place, with its majestic residence, award-winning vineyards, and resort-quality amenities, stands as an emblem of luxury in Pleasanton’s historic wine country,” according to the realtor.com property description.
This story was originally published November 16, 2023, 10:47 AM.
David Caraccio is a video producer for The Sacramento Bee who was born and raised in Sacramento. He is a graduate of San Diego State University and longtime journalist who has worked for newspapers as a reporter, editor, page designer and digital content producer.
