Set on 400+/- acres in Barnard, Vermont, Monsalvat Farm is a legacy estate where rolling pastures, stone walls, forests, and mountain views reflect the state’s timeless character. Settled in 1793, the land carries generations of stewardship, elevated by one of the finest residences in the country—an architectural masterpiece complemented by historic and companion structures that are carefully integrated into the landscape with grace and permanence. Price: $39,000,000

The approach to Monsalvat Farm begins quietly, as the town road narrows to a single gravel lane and ends at a discreet gate—an understated threshold that marks the beginning of the property.

Just beyond the gate, the drive crosses a bridge built to highway specifications, designed not only for strength but also for beauty. Its stone posts and handsome wooden rails make it seem as though it has always belonged to the landscape. The bridge takes you across a large pond, its waters clear with the mountain spring water that feeds it.

On either side, meadows embrace the shoreline: a charming cottage called Gilbert’s Cottage stands off the south end while a graceful gazebo extends out over the water on the north side. Beneath the bridge, the pond flows into a stone spillway, with water cascading into pools below and filling the air with the soothing sound of water over rock.

As a gateway to the estate, this passage is transformative. With the sound of water and the view of the fields and pond, there is a sense of arrival, where beauty surrounds and the rest of the world quietly disappears behind.

The interior is warm and inviting, defined by soaring timber-framed ceilings, finely crafted woodwork, and an open, airy layout filled with natural light. A splendid stone fireplace anchors the great room, paired with a rustic antler chandelier and comfortable seating making it a perfect place to gather, relax and unwind.

Expansive windows frame sweeping views of the hills and meadows, while French doors and built-in bookcases add refinement and function. The vaulted ceiling and staircase showcase artisan detailing, while a screened porch extends the living space outside and into the landscape.

Two beautifully appointed bedrooms, each with a private ensuite bathroom, provide comfort and privacy for both owners and guests. The first-floor bedroom is bright and inviting, framed by generous windows that bring in natural light and garden views, while the second level suite feels more secluded, with timbered ceilings and a balcony view over the living room to the mountains beyond.

The bathrooms are designed with timeless simplicity, combining natural wood paneling and marble finishes with classic fixtures that echo the home’s refined craftsmanship. A powder room next to the front entry with a stenciled tree on its wooden walls, adds convenience for guests, ensuring every space blends elegance with ease of living.

The kitchen is both functional and tastefully crafted, featuring custom cabinetry with glass-front doors, rich wood finishes, and soapstone counters that balance warmth with durability. A farmhouse sink centers the space beneath a bright window, while professional-grade appliances and thoughtful storage make it ideal for both everyday living and entertaining. Intimate in scale yet refined in detail, the design reflects the same timeless craftsmanship found throughout the cottage.

The Gazebo is a graceful retreat built out over the pond, blending rustic charm with refined design. Its timber-framed structure and vaulted ceiling open to screened walls, offering panoramic views of the water and surrounding hillsides.

A stone fireplace anchors the space, creating a cozy atmosphere year-round, while thoughtful details like a powder room and shower lend both comfort and function. From the side entrance, the stone pathway continues gracefully down into the water, reinforcing the seamless connection between architecture and landscape.

Perfect for every season, the gazebo serves as an idyllic gathering place—whether for summer swims accessed directly from the screen porch, evening socials by the fire, or winter days spent skating and playing pond hockey before warming up inside. Equal parts retreat and entertainment space, it offers both tranquility and a place to relax unlike any other.

The heart of the equestrian complex is the historic post-and-beam barn, built generations ago by the Lewis family. Retaining its authentic character, the barn has been thoughtfully adapted for modern use, with a farm manager’s office on the south end and a well-appointed tack room on the north.

The Stable extends beyond the tack room, with four stalls along the west side, each opening directly to fenced paddocks, and an additional stall with wash area on the east side. Large sliding doors access the central bay and frame pastoral beauty across the fields to the mountains beyond.

West and north of the barn, four-rail split-rail fencing, run-in sheds, and open paddocks create a welcoming and secure environment for horses and livestock. A three-bay equipment building sits to the east of the complex, providing space for vehicles and machinery. A chicken coop off the north end rounds out the farmstead’s working character. Altogether, the design preserves the integrity of its historic origins while supporting a refined, well-managed equestrian lifestyle.

The approach to The Sanctuary is a journey designed to heighten both privacy and anticipation. A winding drive leads through a forested landscape where tall maples and younger hemlocks shelter the lane in dappled light.

The residence itself remains hidden, cloaked by the woodland, until the path narrows and draws you toward a commanding archway. Built with blocks of granite and hand-laid stone, softened by vines and plantings, the archway feels timeless and protective, its scale both intimate and monumental.

Only by passing beneath the archway, is The Sanctuary revealed, its courtyard unfolding in stone and cobblestone, framed by the residence on one side and forested hillside on the other. An overhead walkway spans the arch, extending from The Sanctuary to the hillside beyond—an architectural bridge that both unites and conceals.

The archway acts as gateway and guardian, separating the private world within from the outside landscape, ensuring the home remains unseen until the final moment of arrival.

Designed by architect Ralph L. Duesing of Dallas, Texas, and built by Housewright Construction of Newbury, Vermont, The Sanctuary is an architectural masterpiece. A decade in the making and completed in 2009, it was crafted of granite quarried in New Hampshire, cut on site, and paired with extra-thick Vermont slate in a rich purple-grey hue for the roof and dormer siding.

Massive stone buttresses reinforce the structure, giving it both strength and a sense of timelessness, as though it has always been here hidden in the forest. Every material was chosen for permanence, from the granite walls to the courtyard paved with cobblestones reclaimed from the streets of Boston, infusing the setting with history and character.

The result is a residence that feels as if it has stood forever, aging gracefully alongside the forest, rooted in the land yet elevated in design. The cobblestone courtyard, enclosed by soaring walls and ivy-draped stonework, evokes old-world permanence, while the slate roofs, arched entries, and masterful stone masonry recall the tradition of European estates.

Together, these elements create a dwelling that is both formidable and inviting—a true sanctuary, reflecting a rare harmony of architecture and nature, built to inspire for generations.

Concealed beneath the stone archway, the front entrance is reached by ascending a flight of granite steps bordered by hand-forged iron railings, their craftsmanship engraved with the name Monsalvat Farm.

The doorway itself is a testament to permanence and artistry: a massive, custom-made arched door, paneled and weighty, its depth and presence immediately felt. A bespoke latch of hand-forged iron and bronze adds both function and beauty, while its inset wavy glass panes, suggest a history dating back to long ago.

The effect is deliberate and profound—an entrance that feels as though it has always been here, quietly waiting, rooted in the stone, and perfectly in keeping with the timeless presence of The Sanctuary itself.

At the heart of The Sanctuary is its most commanding space: a soaring twelve-sided cathedral great room. The craftsmanship is extraordinary—massive wood beams converge at the peak into a colossal central post, secured with thick iron rods. Anchoring the space is a monumental granite and split-stone fireplace that rises floor to ceiling, its scale both grounded and dramatic.

Soft light pours in from a wall of west-facing windows, framed by elegant full-length curtains and sheers that hang open to reveal the view through the treetop canopy to the distant hills beyond.

Above, a hand-forged wrought-iron chandelier, immense in scale and medieval in character, hangs proudly from the massive center post, casting a glow that balances intimacy with grandeur. Its presence is echoed by hand-forged wall sconces and fixtures, which extend the same artistry across the room and gently thread light into the architecture.

White oak floors, planed by hand, run beneath, their natural grain lending warmth and refinement. Together, the choice of stone, timber, glass, iron and lighting form a perfect alchemy—an interior cathedral-like in scale, yet magically warm, elegant, and comfortable by day, night and season.

The second-floor balcony library wraps gracefully around the eastern half of the cathedral great room, creating both intimacy and connection to the soaring space below. Custom-built bookcases line the walls, their warm wood framing collections of books, sculptures, and curiosities, while small windows offer glimpses outward and a view of the stone archway. From this vantage, the details of the hand-forged chandelier and massive center post can be admired up close, reinforcing the craftsmanship that defines The Sanctuary.

The open railings provide a sweeping overlook onto the great room and its fireplace as well as into the dining room situated between the kitchen and great room, allowing the spaces to flow together while maintaining distinct character. Tucked discreetly among the shelves, a hidden passage leads to a private second-floor office.

The Office, with custom built-ins and bathroom can also be accessed via stairs in the front entry hall. Opposite the office is an exterior door which leads to the outdoor promenade over the stone archway. Even though photos of the office are not shown here, the office is finished to the same exacting standards as the rest of The Sanctuary.

The dining room is another remarkable space defined by its soaring cathedral ceiling and grand sense of scale. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the room with natural light while framing views of the surrounding forest. At its center hangs an extraordinary custom wrought-iron chandelier fashioned as an upside-down tree—roots stretching skyward, branches spreading below, and nests cradling soft points of light.

Along the side wall, a tall granite fireplace anchors the room, flanked by dramatic sconces designed to resemble oversized nests, their warm glow enhancing the organic theme of the space. Underfoot, the floor is laid with large tiles of imported French stone, their subtle variations lending depth and timelessness to the room’s design.

On the west side, tall French doors lead to a granite-block patio, bordered by a custom metal railing inlaid with colored glass and illuminated by iron sconces, with half the space sheltered beneath a protective glass roof. Matching French doors from the cathedral great room open onto the same terrace, creating a natural extension of the interior and a perfect place to enjoy the surrounding forest and the glow of the setting sun.

Together, these elements create a dining room that is as much a work of art as it is a place for gathering, balancing craftsmanship and creativity with enduring design and materials.

The kitchen sits at the heart of The Sanctuary, connected to both the dining room and the cathedral great room with open passages that encourage flow and conversation between spaces. Custom cabinetry lines the walls, thoughtfully designed with specialized storage solutions that maximize every inch of utility while maintaining a refined, timeless appearance.

The space is anchored by high-end stainless appliances, including a professional-grade Viking range, set beneath a striking custom hood with convenient built-in shelving. White oak floors extend throughout, tying the kitchen to the rest of the residence with warmth and continuity. Natural light filters through the window above the farmhouse-style sink, balancing elegance with practicality and making the kitchen as inviting as it is functional.

Directly beneath the cathedral great room, is the wine cellar and tasting room, its circular center aligning perfectly with the center of the cathedral above. The space is intimate and secluded with a domed ceiling of its own, coated with plaster and accessed through a pair of heavy custom-built iron arched doors detailed with circular glass insets. Benches capped in granite line the perimeter. Built-in niches for bottles intersect the walls, their iron grills lending both artistry and utility.

A small fireplace flickers on one side, adding warmth and glow, while a tucked-away nook with a sink and mini fridge provides modern convenience without breaking the old-world charm. The room invites slow enjoyment—whether for a private tasting or quiet contemplation beneath the weight of stone and plaster.

The bedroom suite is conceived as a chamber of comfort and craftsmanship, with a barrel-vaulted ceiling that lends both height and grace to the room. The bed rests within a custom recessed headboard nook flanked by built-in shelving and reading lamps, blending intimacy with utility. On either side, tall windows frame contrasting vistas—eastward, a view into the stone courtyard, and westward, filtered light through the forest canopy to distant ridgelines. Fine wood paneling and tailored millwork give the suite a warm, grounded character, while thoughtful lighting enhances its atmosphere of refinement.

The suite has two bathrooms on either end. To the east is a bath with shower and custom built-ins, convenient and elegantly detailed. To the west, the more dramatic bath is centered on a freestanding metal-clad soaking tub set before a tall window, and an elevated granite fireplace that anchors the space in rugged refinement.

Beyond this bathroom is a room-sized walk-in closet fitted with wall-to-wall custom cabinetry, built-in islands and drawers, offering storage on a grand scale. Together, the bedroom, baths, and dressing room create a sequence of spaces that balance practicality with luxury, craftsmanship with comfort.

The Guest Suite, with private entrance off the courtyard, is a refined retreat that is comfortable and elegant. Inside, the spacious room is anchored by a handsome granite fireplace. A large west-facing window brings in natural light and woodland views to distant hills, while a smaller window above the bed and additional windows flanking the fireplace ensure a bright yet sheltered atmosphere.

The room integrates sleeping and lounging, with space for a king-sized bed, sofa chairs, coffee bar and mini fridge. Paired with a full private bathroom, this suite offers a self-contained hideaway where guests can relax in quiet luxury while still being steps away from the heart of The Sanctuary.

Extending from the wine cellar, a vaulted hall conceived as an underground art gallery leads to The Cabin—a distinct structure designed as a music room. This space, with its tall windows, opens northwest with long-range views of the Green Mountains, offering both inspiration and serenity. Although photos of it are not being shown, it is stunning and consistent in design and quality with the rest of The Sanctuary.

The Cabin can also be reached above ground through the round stone tower off the dining room porch, creating a sense of discovery whether approached from within or outside The Sanctuary.

This interplay of spaces—wine below, art along the passage, and music within The Cabin—embodies the spirit of the estate as more than a residence. It is a retreat of culture and contemplation, where architecture, landscape, and craft come together to foster creativity, reflection and recreation in equal measure.

The Folly rises like a whimsical sentinel in the woods east of the Sanctuary, a four-sided granite tower perched at the crest of a hill. Built of the same hand-cut stone as the main residence, it feels related to the architecture of the estate yet carries a lighter, more playful spirit. At its base, the tower shelters a fire ring, its tall stonework forming a chimney that sends smoke skyward. Higher up, evenly spaced square openings pierce each side of the structure, designed as nesting niches for birds, blending craftsmanship with the rhythms of nature.

As both a landmark and a gathering place, The Folly invites moments of wonder and delight. It is at once architectural sculpture and woodland refuge—where fire, stone, and forest converge. Whether used for quiet reflection, as a meeting point on a woodland walk, or as a beacon glimpsed through the trees, it enriches the landscape with a sense of surprise and play.

Set apart from the heart of the estate, The Farmhouse offers a highly practical complement to the rest of Monsalvat Farm. Once an 1800s farmhouse, it now consists of four separate units, two upstairs and two downstairs, each with a bedroom, full bath, kitchen, and living room.  The units are ideal for staff and extra guests.

The building and grounds are impeccably maintained. Perennial beds and gardens surround the house, while the screened porches present long-range westerly views. A detached garage adds storage and utility.

With its own separate driveway off the North Road, The Farmhouse feels entirely independent yet is connected to the rest of the farm via the farm’s private trail network or by public roadway.

Below the farmhouse, set in an open field, is an FAA-registered heliport: 19VT —providing direct and effortless access to the estate from afar.

From The Farmhouse, a narrow drive lined with stone walls extends across fields down to a secluded pond bordered on the west by tall white pines. At its northern edge stands The Lodge, a rustic yet highly functional retreat with a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room and loft. Glass doors and a deck overlook the water, while granite hitching posts, a carved stone trough, perennial beds, and apiaries add both character and utility to its serene and contemplative the setting.

Monsalvat Farm is supported by a collection of well-planned outbuildings that enhance both its functionality and charm. The Equipment Barn provides essential storage for tractors and tools needed to maintain nearly 400 acres, while The Sugar House adds the authentic experience of tapping trees on the property and producing Vermont maple syrup.

In addition to the main Barn and The Stable discussed earlier, the property also includes The Cattle Barn on the edge of the back meadow. There are two detached garages, each with multiple bays, providing ample space for vehicles and recreational equipment.

Together, these structures honor the working heritage of the farm while making the stewardship of its land and resources both efficient and rewarding.

Words, video and photos can only hint at the essence of Monsalvat Farm. To truly grasp its beauty, one must walk its land, step through its doors, trace your hand across stone and wood to feel its craftsmanship, witness the character of each place and space. Its magic can only be fully understood in person.

Monsalvat Farm is more than a residence; it is a way of life—an irreplaceable legacy estate built to endure for generations. Distinguished by its vision, permanence, and rare balance of grandeur with intimacy, it stands among the finest properties in the country.

By special invitation, we welcome you to experience Monsalvat Farm for yourself. To RSVP, please call or email Christopher Lang for a private showing.

(802)-274-4048

chris@bravynia.com

Vermont Farm Residence

The remote country houses and lodges of Lutyens and Maybeck served as inspiration for this Vermont residence. The residence conforms to the site by nestling onto a natural ledge in the forested hillside. Because of the siting, there are no overriding views of the house, and it forces one to move about to discover its parts. The twelve-sided timber-framed living space is the core of the interior plan. It pushes out the rear to views up and down the valley. Much of the project is built of local materials by local craftsmen and artisans.

Assorted vegetables grown on the farm.