NAPA, Calif. (PRWEB) November 25, 2011

Pacific Union International (PUI), the San Francisco Bay Area’s premier international luxury real estate brand, together with Sheldon Good Co. and the family of the late, legendary winemaker and philanthropist Robert Mondavi announced today the stunning, 11,500 square-foot home situated on 57 acres in Napa Valley sold at auction. The estate was originally listed for $25 million; the published auction reserve was $13.9 million. The sale terms, including closing price and buyer, were not disclosed.

“Auctions create awareness of exclusive properties and drive focused sales interest, especially in unique, high-end properties. Many real estate firms shy away from auction sales out of fear of fostering an aura of distress or foreclosure. Unlike other firms in the Bay Area, Pacific Union embraces this selling model and is eager to offer more properties at auction,” said Mark A. McLaughlin, president and CEO of Pacific Union International. “Based on the successful conclusion of this transaction, we anticipate three or four more headline properties, each with a unique story and appeal.”

The Mondavi Napa Valley estate-perched atop a private mountaintop with 360-degree views-has been in the winemaker’s family since the 1980s. The property was sold via sealed bid auction by Sheldon Good Company, a portfolio company owned by Racebook Capital and America’s leading real estate auctioneer in cooperation with Pacific Union International. The 11,500-square-foot home is set into a grove of 100-year old oak trees on a sprawling 57-acre estate. Pacific Union promoted the property using their extensive database and through its exclusive relationship with Christie’s International Real Estate. Jocelyn Monello of Heritage Sotheby’s represented the buyer.

“We received multiple bids and the auction drew international interest,” said Jane Garassino-Blecksmith, Pacific Union Real Estate Professional and co-listing agent.

“The success of this auction is a market changer for West Coast properties-and clearly illustrates the Pacific Union team is poised for more,” added Chuck Sawday. Pacific Union Real Estate Professional and co-listing agent.

Sealed bids were submitted to Sheldon Good Company on November 16, 2011.

EDITORS NOTE: Images available upon request.

ABOUT PACIFIC UNION INTERNATIONAL: Pacific Union International (PUI)

PUI is the San Francisco Bay Area’s premier international luxury real estate brand operating in six counties including Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco and Sonoma for 35 years. Locally owned, PUI leadership operates with an entrepreneurial mindset and unwavering commitment to invest in the right people, processes and tools to ensure deep, long-standing client and agent relationships. In 2009, its team of over 425+ brokers achieved #1 ranking in average sales price and #1 ranking for professional productivity in all six counties. Through its exclusive relationship with Christie’s International Real Estate in the San Francisco Bay Area, Pacific Union delivers international reach in its property marketing programs and provides clients with access to international investors.

ABOUT ROBERT MARGRIT MONDAVI: Robert Mondavi is considered one of the world’s most notable wine makers, an innovator in both viticulture and marketing, He led a group of charismatic vintners who brought international attention to the wines of the Napa Valley and made them a global standard. Together with his wife Margrit, an innovative wine marketer and ambassador in her own right, Mondav worked with architect Cliff May and Robert’s son Michael Mondavi to create a house that suited their life perfectly. A classic of California design, this serene and comfortable home is a reflection of the Mondavi family’s passion for a life well-lived.

ABOUT SHELDON GOOD COMPANY: Sheldon Good Company is America’s premier Real Estate Auctioneer.

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Article source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/11/25/prweb8990708.DTL

He was born in Portland June 8, 1923. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in metallurgy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1944 and, immediately thereafter, served in the U.S. Army until his discharge in 1947. Upon returning to Portland he joined his brothers in the family scrap and steel business, Schnitzer Steel, working alongside them until 1950, at which time he left and founded Harsch Investment Properties, a leading diversified owner and operator of industrial, office, retail and multi-family properties in five Western states. He served as President and Chairman of the Board for two decades before being joined by his son Jordan in 1970, who now serves as President. In the Bay Area, Harold’s first purchase was the Claremont Hotel in 1954, which was owned until 1998. Additional real estate holdings in the Bay Area include, the 450 Sutter Building, Mason O’Farrell Garage and numerous industrial and office buildings in the East Bay. Together, he and his son grew the company into one of the largest, privately held real estate companies in the western United States.

Throughout his life he focused on three things: family, the business and his community. Harold learned early on from his parents, Sam and Rose Schnitzer, who immigrated to the United States in the early 1900s, the responsibility of making a difference with his life. They taught him and his siblings (Manuel, Morris, Mollie, Edith, Gilbert and Leonard) the importance of giving back to your community.

In 1949 he met and married Arlene Director. Married for 62 years, they were life-long partners in business, the arts and philanthropy. Their son Jordan was born in 1951.

Over a career of 60 years there have been hundreds of organizations and causes that have benefited from his leadership and financial support. Harold served on the board of Lewis Clark College for 16 years, a Life Trustee since 1995. His service to the Portland Art Museum spanned 21 years, ultimately as Chairman of the Board from 1997 to 2001. He and Arlene are especially proud of establishing the Center for Northwest Art, and a curatorial and annual artist awards program. They also were major collectors of Han and pre-Han ceramics that led to establishing the nationally recognized Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Collection of Early Chinese Art. They gifted a number of works from the collection to the Portland Art Museum along with endowing the position of Curator of Asian Art. Harold and Arlene have a residence in the Bay Area and they have been longtime supporters of the Fine Arts Museum in San Francisco and many other Bay Area causes.

More recently Harold provided the lead gift establishing the Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center at Oregon Health Science University (OHSU) in 2007, one of only ten centers in the nation treating children and adults and the only one on the West Coast. A diabetic since his early 40s, he valued good health care and appreciated its connection to the quality and longevity of life. The Center is his expression of helping others in their struggle with diabetes.

Harold was always interested in ensuring that young people have the same educational opportunities that he had. He had a lifelong interest in funding scholarships and educational grants, and that ultimately led to him establishing Judaic studies programs at both the University of Oregon and Portland State University.

Harold served the City of Portland on a variety of projects including the development of the Portland Center for the Performing Arts. Because of his leadership and philanthropy, the city named its symphony hall, the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, in honor of his wife, Arlene.

He has been honored by numerous civic organizations regionally and nationally in partnership with his wife Arlene including the following: Doctor of Humane Letters from Portland State University, Distinguished Service Award from the University of Oregon, Aubrey Watzek Award from Lewis Clark College, Portland First Citizen Award 1995, the Outstanding Philanthropist Award from the National Society of Fundraising Executives and an honorary doctorate degree from the Pacific Northwest College of Art.

Harold is survived by his wife, Arlene, his son Jordan, his two granddaughters Arielle and Audria, his brother Gilbert who resides in San Francisco, California, his sister Mollie who resides in Beverly Hills, California, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Even during the last days of his life he was still working and planning on how to make life better for everyone else around him.

A Memorial Service was held on Wednesday, May 11th, 2011.

This article appeared on page Z99 of the San Francisco Chronicle

Article source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/05/15/MNSCHNITZE39.DTL