Not many people can say they own the world’s tallest goat tower, a Victorian home and a winery on the same piece of land – but Dave and Diane Sheldon can.
The Sheldons were looking to expand their Hampton Roads Winery business in Surry and hired a realtor to find the perfect piece of property.
“After a few days, she called and said she found some land, but the only problem was that it had a house on it,” recalled Dave. “We didn’t need another house, but she convinced me to come look anyways.”
When David drove up the Magnolia-lined driveway, he was impressed with the 40 acres, but also knew the home – which he didn’t need – would be exactly what his wife had dreamed of.
The 6,000-square-foot Victorian with seven fireplaces and seven bathrooms would soon become the couple’s sanctuary as they built their winery next door and began farming the land.
The home, built in 1898, has a unique story as well. Called White Oak Farm, the home and land – which was initially 1,400 acres – was owned by Harry Spratley, who raised horses for the New York City carriage trade and was also the subject of the tune “I’m Just Wild About Harry.”
“[Spratley] patterned the house after a townhome in Manhattan,” Dave said. Sure enough, if you look at the middle of the home, it could double as a brownstone in New York.
Since 1898, the house has had seven owners. It was even once a bed-and-breakfast.
A previous owner decided to pay homage to the home’s many inhabitants by building a triangular bookcase in the parlor and filling it with unique left-behind items such as White Oak wine, a photograph, and other knick-knacks.
The Sheldons have spent the past couple years focusing on the new winery and tasting room, modeling it after a carriage house barn to keep with the property’s history. Exposed oak floors, gated stall doors and a view of the water welcome wine tasters.
Along with raising goats and Red Angus cattle, the couple spends the majority of their time making wine, so they haven’t undertaken any major renovations to the Victorian house — yet.
“It still has that old-world charm,” said Dave.
