Fabled Oaks Farm is a 20-acre family homestead, comprised of olive and avocado groves, a vineyard, a varied-fruit orchard, vegetable garden, and of course a native creek with countless majestic oaks. The property, previously an investment grove of avocados from the 1960’s, was bought in 2014 by Broadway actress Susan Egan and Levity Entertainment Group founder, Robert Hartmann. Since that time, Egan and Hartmann have thoughtfully and painstakingly shaped the farm into an idyllic representation of their native Southern California. From olive oil, avocados and citrus to wine, honey, lavender and fresh vegetables, Fabled Oaks Farm highlights the best of local agriculture. But food is just a third of the equation... When planning the home, the couple decided to create something unique to the De Luz area of Temecula – a truly modern farmhouse. Thoughtful of the characteristic fires in the area and their desire to have a minimal energy footprint, the Hartmanns placed sustainability high on their priority list. Using steel siding for it’s fire retardancy and 100-year guarantee (no painting ever needed!), the architecture pays homage to the traditional farmhouses of America, but still allows for an open concept living space, high vaulted ceilings with beams, a large chef’s kitchen, sizable bedrooms and more. Because the home has been dug into the hillside, temperatures indoors benefit from thermal regulation and little air-conditioning or heat are needed. The hilltop location allows for both endless views and ocean breezes from the coast. The detached garage also houses a well-appointed, one-bedroom guest cottage and a luxurious two-bedroom guest home; the solar panels on the roof cover the electricity needs of all three residences, generating 10.3 kW-DC. The largest concern – the drought conditions in the region – were addressed adroitly: water from both roofs as well as every inch of hardscape is captured and stored in a 6000 gallon tank, used to irrigate the grove. Even the septic system is state-of-the art, taking wastewater through multiple cleaning filters, and allowing it to percolate to the surface and irrigate a field of lavender. Finally, and the reason the Hartmanns fell in love with this land, the most magical third of Fabled Oaks Farm is its namesake – the year-round creek lined with 100-year-old, gnarled oaks. The wildlife, from thumbnail-sized frogs to howling coyotes, enrich the experience of this land. Walking the creek with their daughters after they first bought the property, the Hartmanns even stumbled upon a 18’ circle of large boulders – perhaps evidence that they are not the first to live and appreciate the majesty of this place. With careful consideration, they carved hiking trails throughout their acreage, linking the agricultural groves and the natural habitat for the first time and allowing access to everything the land has to offer. On the one-mile loop, family and guests can pick avocados, spy tadpoles, visit the bee hives, climb the tree house, pick wild flowers and harvest a few herbs and veggies on their way back to the kitchen. They can even relax in the shade of the covered central courtyard as they cook pizzas in the wood-fired oven, or roast marshmallows at the terraced fire pit. The natural surroundings and considered buildings allow for quiet reflection as well as much-needed quality time with family and friends. With their backgrounds in the arts and entertainment and their passions for nature and the sustainable, local-food movement, the Hartmanns have curated a homestead that embraces modern advances and concerns, while also honoring the story of those who have come before and the creatures who share their land today.