Cary Grant, with a mystified expression, says to Merv Griffin during a weekend stay at Hawkridge: “Why would you ever leave this place!”

Merv Griffin's former “ranch in the mountains” has been lovingly restored and updated by Merv's friend and former CEO of the Griffin Group into an extraordinary family compound and private retreat. The 57 acre hilltop estate features a collection of private cottages and guest suites surrounded by lawns and entertainment areas. A 2000 sq. ft. glass-walled family building is the centerpoint for gatherings and includes an expansive living room, dining areas seating 20+, kitchen, wood burning fireplace and extensive eastern and southern valley views. Seven gracious suites, once visited by Ethel Kennedy and a host of Merv's celebrity pals, offer ample room for family and friends for a total of 10 bedrooms including a family bunkroom and Merv's Cottage with a kitchen, fireplace, master bedroom, children's bedroom, guest bedroom and two bathrooms.

A spectacular redwood deck surrounding a huge ancient oak tree, believed to be 800 years old, has hosted the likes of Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Carl Reiner as well as Fortune 500 CEOs and Wall Street financiers. Eastwood recalled a dinner at the ranch: “He had Cary Grant. Lucille Ball, James Stewart, everybody.” Griffin's famed fight with Donald Trump in 1988 was plotted around the deck's table for twelve.
A recent addition to the property is the 2230 sq. ft. Entertainment Center which includes a huge game room, granite indoor/outdoor wet bar, wood-burning fireplace, 14-seat HD theater with 120” screen, sophisticated audiovisual system throughout the building with multiple flat screen TV's and indoor/outdoor music systems, exercise room and shower room. Enjoy warm valley evenings or cool nights in the hot tub or relaxing next to the fire-pit on the large deck overlooking 33 yr. old Sauvignon Blanc and 5 yr. old Pinot Noir vines as the sun sets behind the mountains to the west.

Two acres of terraced south-facing vineyards produce “AlpacaRidge” Sauvignon Blanc and “HawkRidge” Pinot Noir labels, both of which are licensed for commercial sale. Four more acres of vines can be planted on additional restored terraces.

Sunny Valley days spent lounging and dining beside the 82 degree solar-heated pool, once enjoyed by Eva Gabor and Lucille Ball. 180 degree poolside views of Carmel Valley are nearly impossible to match!

Enjoy time spent outdoors riding horses on the property or in neighboring Garland Ranch through your private entrance. Horses can roam in the numerous fenced pastures or join company with the nine gentle and curious alpacas and six miniature sheep. Fresh eggs are gathered daily from the chicken coop.

In addition to the glorious valley views and room to roam, the estate offers an 1800 sq. ft. utility barn and workshop, 1523 sq. ft. garage and wine cellar, two greenhouses, 1370 sq. ft. Caretakers house as well as numerous additional outbuildings.

Privacy, solitude and beauty abound the estate. Enjoy gardens of Dahlias, Geraniums, Irises, Hydrangeas, African Daisies, Azaleas and Daylilies. Take a walk along Eva Gabor's expansive rose gardens. She wandered among them each morning inhaling their fragrance. (Two of her prized bushes, a red rose and a yellow one, later won first place ribbons at the 2012 Carmel Valley Garden Show). Fields of Lavender and Rosemary and Jasmine vines sweetly scent the grounds. Organic vegetable gardens, orchards and multiple berry bushes provide treats to complement all of the senses.

Merv's reply to Cary Grant: “Cary, I promise you, the ranch will be here when we get back.”