Exceptional Millstone Farm
180 Millstone Road, Wilton CT
One of the area’s foremost farms using sustainable practices, Millstone Farm presents a rare opportunity to acquire one of Fairfield County’s finest properties. Located only 50 miles from NYC, the property features over 71 pastoral acres of rolling land including multiple barns, paddocks and fenced pastures. Sheep, chickens and other animals wander the fields, while greenhouses, orchards, beehives and three large vegetable gardens produce sought-after fare for renowned local Chefs in the farm-to-table movement. A four-bedroom Stone & Shingle main residence is sited perfectly to capture the light and sunset views. Multiple trails and a whimsical “glamping” tent, as well as the original dressage ring and equestrian course provide a unique backdrop for outdoor activity. A most exceptional country estate.
Vision For The Farm
Our initial vision when we purchased Millstone Farm had three levels: family, local community, and broader issues. At the family level, we wanted our kids to work on the farm, for all of us to learn how to grow food and work together. Our daughter rode horses at Millstone and we wanted her and others to continue riding on the property. Additionally, our son was interested in the environment and was able to build some of the farm infrastructure, such as gardens and walls. For the local community, we aimed to provide wholesome food and envisioned a space for community members to connect with the land. Further, we hoped to engage with the larger agricultural community on issues around policy, investing and philanthropy.
In carrying out this vision, we have found that the “Millstone Experience” has affected many people, from local high school students to third-graders from Harlem; from Yale students to Norwalk teachers; and farm apprentices to nationally renowned chefs. As the farm evolved, we created new programs, including growing heirloom tomatoes for local chefs, creating value-added products like honey and salsa, and bringing food systems workshops to the community, like Backyards Chickens, Seed Saving, and Jamming. Millstone has also facilitated community gatherings by hosting NGO fundraisers, chef events, and a PBS special. In addition, we focused on inspiring issue-based action around issues like food waste by launching ReFED, humane raising of animals by becoming the first farm in CT to be Animal Welfare Certified (AWA), and allowing entrepreneurs and educators to use the property as a learning laboratory.
We have owned Millstone for 10 years and have exceeded our dreams and goals. The Farm is ready for the next owner to steward the property and make it their dream. We have a great staff and clients and community that would like to see it continue. The Millstone platform has taught us a lot and we want to share our learnings on a national and international level. Our family is moving out of the area and wants to learn more through travel and exploration. The love and care we have for Millstone Farm will be with us forever. It is a special, sacred property and will provide joy and fulfillment to the next owner as it has for us and the previous owners.
History
In approximately 1911, Dr. Vincent Tito bought the Wilton property with a house, barn and shed with plans to retire. He planted fruit trees and put up a hot house near the dwelling. He died in 1919 from the flu, and his son Vincent Tito Jr – then aged 19 – took his mother, sisters, brother and new wife to live at the house with no plumbing or electricity. With sheer force of will he turned the land into a productive farm and became a town leader. The farm morphed over the years and the dwellings and buildings were expanded. The current house, built in 1975, is an expansion of the converted barn. The Wilton Pony Club later made it’s home on the property, which was purchased by Betsy and Jesse Fink in 2005 and redeveloped over the years in conjunction with the expertise of master farmer Annie Farrell. The farm now boasts a bountiful harvest, as it did when it was Tito Farm, lending a nod to Wilton’s rich agrarian past.
Products
Animals at the farm include Shetland sheep, Tamworth, Berkshire and Large Black pigs, rare breeds of chickens, heirloom turkeys, llamas and ponies. Produce of the farm includes heirloom and multiple varietals of artichokes, beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, lettuces, kale, chard, peas, peppers, pumpkins, radishes, squash and tomatoes. Associated Millstone Farm brand market products include salsa, eggs, honey, relish, pickles, maple syrup and wool, among others.
Local Fare
Many nationally-renowned, local Chefs use the bounty of the harvest from Millstone Farm at their restaurants. These include:
Tim LaBant of The Schoolhouse at Cannondale, Wilton
Bill Taibe of The Whelk and Kawa Ni, Westport
Brian Lewis of The Cottage, Westport
Geoff Lazlo of Mill Street Bar and Kitchen, Greenwich
Pasquale Pascarella of Bar Sugo, Norwalk
Millstone Farm products are also sold to families through a CSA, and supply supermarkets including Village Market in Wilton, Walter Stewarts market in New Canaan, and Craft/Fleischers Butcher shops in Westport, Greenwich, Brooklyn & Manhattan.
Main Residence
The main residence is a Stone & Shingle-inspired Converted Barn, artfully and stylishly expanded to blend harmoniously with the landscape. Architectural details include stone and hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, exposed stone, walls of windows and rustic millwork. Doors open to two side terraces allowing for wonderful indoor-outdoor entertaining.
A stone walkway leads to the main entrance. Double doors open to the Two-Story Entrance Hall. To the right of the Entry lies the Great Room. Impressive in scale, features include a vaulted ceiling with massive beams, a stone floor, a wall finished in copper, and doors to a side terrace. The Great Room adjoins the Kitchen. The Kitchen’s Breakfast Area has doors to a side terrace. The Breakfast Area is open to the Family Room. Features include walls paneled in old barnsiding, a fireplace and a charming seating area located in one of two silos.
To the left of the Entry is a Foyer. It provides access to an Office housed in the second silo, a Powder Room and a door to the Laundry and Two-Car Garage. A Utility Room is located to the rear of the garage.
Spiral stairs lead to the Second Floor. The Master Suite is private. It houses a spacious Bedroom and a private Bath. A Second Bedroom, with window seat, has a full Bath. A loft seating area provides access to two additional Bedrooms. Both Bedrooms have private Baths, and one of the Bedrooms has a sitting area. A Hall Bath completes the second floor. Besseler stairs lead to the Attic on one side. On the other side, spiral stairs lead up to a skylit Loft with a ceiling fan.
Construction Overview
The foundation is slab: the construction is frame: the exterior is wood shingle; and, the roof is wood shingle. A boiler delivers four zones of oil-fired hydroair heat fueled by two above-ground tanks. Eversource supplies electric service and all wiring into the farm is underground. There is a transfer switch for a generator. Kitchen appliances include a Wolf Range with six burners, griddle and two ovens, Frigidaire Double Ovens, an Amana Refrigerator and a General Electric Dishwasher. An alarm system, central air conditioning with three zones, and in-wall speakers are additional improvements.
Outbuildings
A stone path leads from the main house to a Cottage – the former Pool House. The Cottage houses a Living Room, a Kitchen, a Bedroom and a Bath. There is a canvas “Glamping” tent, set on a wood platform with a built-in bed and wood burning stove. It is adjacent to an outhouse.
Farm Buildings
The main Barn houses seven stalls, two feed rooms and a tack room on the lower level. The upper level houses an equipment room and a hay loft. There are ten sheds/stalls on the property, several of them moveable. There are two heated, growing hoop houses, a small greenhouse and seven, frost-free hydrants to service the farm.
5,900,000
Bedrooms: 4
Baths: 5 full, 1 partial
Square Feet: 6235
Acres: 71.05
Contact
Karla Murtaugh
Neumann Real Estate
203.856.5534
karla@neumannrealestate.com
www.KarlaMurtaugh.com.Daniel Ginnel
Ginnel Real Estate
914.234.9234
dginnel@ginnel.com
www.ginnel.com