A sprawling architecturally-designed home one of the largest residential blocks in Lovedale is set to hit the market next week via expressions of interest.
'Springfield' at 260 Wilderness Road offers 114 acres of land positioned in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country.
Listing agent Cain Beckett from Jurds Real Estate said the property is expected to fetch $7 million.
"It is not the largest block in Lovedale but it is certainly up there and it is certainly one of the prettiest," Mr Beckett said.
The property includes four bedrooms and three bathrooms across the main residence and a separate guest pavilion that is fully self-contained for guests or could be utilised as an income stream as short-stay accommodation such as an Airbnb.
The owners, who built the home 20 years ago, have created park-like grounds around the property with established golden elm and Chinese elms tree.
"It took 20 years to grow all of those trees to get them where they are today," the agent said.
"At the time when the vendors purchased the block, it was a rural parcel of land. It didn't have any trees or landscaping, so everything that is there they have done themselves.
"There is a pear-tree lined driveaway and large trees such as elms that are all established which takes fair bit of time."
Mr Beckett said the home is packed with high-end finishes and features internally and externally, including a sandstone entrance and handmade timber gates.
Curved shapes on the garage and surrounding walls add contrast against the traditional architecture of the home to create an enclosed courtyard with a garden that includes blossoms in spring and lemons in the cooler months.
"One of the best features is the fact there is a mix of traditional and modern architecture that makes it really stand out in a country setting," he said."
Inside the home features polished timber boards and high gable ceilings in the living areas which are fitted with large glass doors and windows that capture the views as far as the Barrington and Brokenback ranges.
"One of my favourite features is looking down the hallway and over the bath and out of the window that overlooks the garden," he said.
"It is stunning."
The central living space leads out to wide covered and open decks and has an open fireplace that is the centrepiece of the room with a pink Louis XV marble mantel.
The living area is connected to the large dining space and kitchen which includes a large pantry, natural Calacatta marble island and stainless steel benchtops.
A eastern wing houses the main bedroom which has a walk-in robe, home office and an ensuite that leads out to a private garden.
The western wing has a billiard room, conservatory, library, powder room and laundry in addition to two large bedrooms and the main bathroom.
"There is also a great wine cellar in the house as well that is just off the billiard room," he said.
An in-ground pool connects a separate guest pavilion while ample garage space allows plenty of room to store cars and farm machinery.
There are also three earth dams and post-and-rail cattle yards.
Mr Beckett said the Lovedale and Pokolbin wine region was attracting more buyers from Sydney and Newcastle than ever before.
"The pandemic changed it," he said.
"Prior to the pandemic, the North Shore [Sydney] was the lion's share of the market here.
"When the lockdown happened and the eastern suburbs of Sydney couldn't travel, they rediscovered the Hunter and we have found that has translated to a lot of new purchasers coming into the mix, and coming into the mix with pretty deep pockets as well."
He added that area also had a noticeable increase in buyers from Newcastle.
"Newcastle has become a big player for people who not just purchase to live here but also for weekender as well," the agent said.
"It is a big part of the market now. There are a lot of Newcastle-based families who are buying places in the area and using them as weekender homes.
"There used to be some disconnect where the Hunter was perhaps seen as too close [for buyers in Sydney and Newcastle] and now it seems to be embraced a lot more.
"I don't know what's changed that but it has."
The property is listed for sale via expressions of interest with no closing date set.
