26 Valhalla Drive, Richmond, Matamata-Piako

This is simply one of Nelson’s finest homes, a grand house evoking Tuscan hillside villas with its Alexandra schist stonework, gorgeous timbers and a lofty front terrace with a phenomenal 180-degree vista commanding ever-changing views across Tasman Bay, west to the mountains and north to Nelson.At 413 square metres, it’s palatial with four or five bedrooms, a sweeping staircase, double-height atrium entry and a living room fit for a grand piano. Every detail is exquisite, and many fittings are bespoke, custom made for this dream home, built for the ages with tilt-slab walls and concrete floor slab, fine slate tiled roof and copper spouting and gutters. It’s a house that would be prohibitively costly to build today.Hugely impressive, it’s matched by its setting; private, peaceful landscaped grounds in rustic stone and hardwood timbers, sheltered lawn areas and dotted with mature trees; pohutakawa and others with splashes of seasonal colour from roses and a blaze of fuchsia red from the bougainvillea up the schist terrace wall. And just up behind the house is a choice of stunning bush walks with mountain bike trails close by.The many notable home features include the dedicated wine cellar, a dazzling country-style granite kitchen with commercial quality range and butler’s pantry, a spectacular master bedroom suite, Italian tiles, magnificent entertainer’s terrace with pizza oven, and triple garaging with huge workshop and room for boat or motorhome.No expense was spared in making this sumptuous home even better over the years.Quality is everywhere, from the superb bespoke handcrafted Italian tapware and tiles, gorgeous drapery and lush carpets to the security system and internal vacuum.Large airy rooms, a choice of lounging areas inside and out and upstairs balconies give so much room to move and for you to entertain in style. Double-glazed Smartwood window joinery upstairs provides bi-fold openings to take full advantage of the views and the summer breezes. Every room seems to have a different vista; eastern hillsides, western mountain ranges, Rabbit Island and Tasman Bay and the views across Richmond to Saxton field and Nelson. For a comprehensive information booklet or to arrange a private viewing, contact Nina James.