Up until this point, each of our Open Housing posts have featured homes in Old Town Alexandria, for better or worse, to help give our readers the inside look at some of the gems in our area. But as some of you may know, there's a piece of my heart that is completely and madly in love with the Napa Valley. For this very reason I've signed up to receive periodic real estate notifications from a Napa Valley wine country local Realtor. You know, just in case we win the lottery and can afford a second home or have a total change of heart and opt to move to the west coast. After last week's earthquake and hurricane, I guess you just never know! (Though moving to the west coast to flee an east coast earthquake may not be the best plan I've ever had.)

When I received this week's real estate digest email, there was one property in particular that caught my eye. For a home as quaint and charming as this, I felt I needed to share it with you, even though I haven't had the pleasure of touring it in person. I'll treat it like a little bit of my own voyeuristic torture, force to admire from a far but good enough to share with all of you.

This storybook "castle" of sorts, located in Saint Helena, California, is a modest home at roughly 1900 square feet. Covered in charm and character, it was built in 1948 and boasts three bedrooms and two full baths.

This place just oozes curb appeal. Here's another look at the inviting front door, topped off by a turret. It's just so cute!

The appeal doesn't stop at the threshold. Take a look at the main living space, complete with a stately fireplace and warm rough hewn beams. Imagine curling up in front of a roaring fire on a crisp fall night with a good book and a fine glass of wine (that you purchased earlier in the day on a quick tasting trip just down the street) .

If you can believe it, the appeal of the front of the house is matched, if not trumped, by the impeccable backyard living space. Yep, you can take a refreshing dip on a hot summer day in the valley within the privacy of your own yard. 

Or, entertain friends and family on the deck, complete with dining area and walk up bar. Ahhh. I'm in heaven. 

Between the period details and the old world style, not to mention the fact that it's nestled in wine country, I'm off to pack my bags. However, at a cool $1,595,000, I'm going to need those winning lottery numbers. Will someone please forward them to me if you think of it?  

I admit it. I'm guilty of coveting what I don't have, and on occasion dismiss the great city I call home in exchange for dreams of putting down roots elsewhere. Is anyone else guilty of this too? If so, where do you currently live and where do you dream of calling home?

Interested in reading about other interesting homes for sale? Want to offer your take on "would you trade"? Check out the Open Housing section of Old Town Home.

Photos courtesy of Heritage/Sotheby's International Realty. Click here for the full listing.