Our Epic Events
2026
NAPA FOREVER
Estate Partners’ 2026 Annual Retreat brought together an extraordinary group of architects, builders, designers, artisans, and industry leaders for three unforgettable days in Napa Valley. Guests stayed at Alila Napa Valley and opened the retreat with a private wine reception beneath the historic redwood grove at Beringer Winery—setting the tone for an experience centered around rare architectural access, world-class hospitality, and meaningful connection.
Throughout the retreat, guests experienced private tours and conversations with celebrated creatives including Erin Martin, Jess Field of Field Architecture, Heather Sandy Hebert, and John Taft, Principal Architect at Backen & Backen—the legendary firm that has helped define Napa Valley’s architectural language for more than 25 years. John personally guided the group through Promontory Winery and Louis M. Martini Winery, where the evening concluded with a private cave dinner and library wine experience unlike anything Southern California could replicate. Additional visits included Sentinel Ridge Residence, Trinchero Winery, and Erin Martin Showroom, each selected to encourage shared discovery, inspiration, and deeper relationships among the people shaping the finest homes being built in Orange County today.
More than a retreat, Napa Forever became a reminder that exceptional work is never created alone. It is the product of collaboration, trust, craftsmanship, hospitality, and the collective effort of a thousand hands moving toward a common standard of excellence.
2025
HONORING NATASHA
2025 marked a profound loss for Estate Partners and for the greater luxury residential construction community across Southern California with the passing of Natasha Hogan, who led the group for more than a decade.
In an effort to move forward together and honor her life well, Estate Partners, alongside Dugally Oberfeld and Cantara — her professional home for the last fifteen years — hosted a celebration of life attended by more than 300 people whose lives she touched.
The gorgeous Spring afternoon was filled with stories, laughter, reflection, and encouragement. Natasha made an outsized impact on the culture of luxury residential construction in both Los Angeles and Orange County. She carried herself with uncommon warmth, deep loyalty, joy in human connection, and a willingness to speak honestly about who we are, how we show up, and the effect we have on one another.
To meet Natasha was to immediately value her. To know her was to love her. Again and again, people shared the same sentiment: that Natasha was their best friend — and somehow made each person feel like they were the only one. But the truth is, her heart had room for all of us.
In her honor, Estate Partners now annually presents the “Natasha Hogan Beacon of Partnership Award” to an individual within the Orange County construction community who exemplifies the collaborative, respectful, and constructive spirit Natasha embodied so naturally. The award recognizes those helping shift the culture of our industry toward one grounded in equality, mutual respect, personal wellbeing, and a genuine commitment to helping one another improve — both professionally and personally.
Her impact continues to be felt, discussed, and celebrated almost daily. She permanently changed the way many of us relate to one another — in business, in friendship, and in life — and that legacy will continue long beyond our careers.
2024
HIGH DESERT RETREAT
After securing extraordinary access for Estate Partners’ 2023 event, Natasha Hogan once again raised the bar, curating a retreat that blended architectural wonder, thought leadership, and the ethereal beauty of the desert landscape. Set over two nights at the eclectic AutoCamp Joshua Tree, this year’s gathering featured an ambitious food and wine program designed to complement the breathtaking surroundings.
The retreat began with an intimate welcome dinner under the stars, followed by a guided stargazing experience, embracing the magic of the desert night sky. The next day unfolded with exclusive access to Joshua Tree National Park, where attendees gathered on a privately owned parcel—one of the few within the park’s boundaries—to hear an inspiring talk from David Vanderveen, entrepreneur and motivational speaker.
The afternoon brought a once-in-a-lifetime architectural experience: a private tour of the legendary Kellogg Doolittle House, an architectural marvel that has long captivated the design world. For the first time ever, its doors were opened for an official architectural tour, offering an unprecedented glimpse into its surreal, otherworldly design. As the sun dipped below the desert horizon, guests returned to the Kellogg Doolittle House for sunset cocktails and small bites, reflecting on a day filled with rare access, shared inspiration, and deep creative connection.
2023
CATALINA UNCOVERED
Having established something truly special within the industry, Estate Partners set out to redefine the retreat experience in its third year. With extraordinary persistence, Natasha Hogan secured exclusive access to one of Catalina Island’s most closely guarded locations—El Rancho Escondido, the original homestead of the Wrigley Family. Guests were granted a rare look at the secluded estate before visiting a hidden architectural treasure: The Bishop’s Chapel, a breathtaking structure perched on a Pacific-facing bluff, designed by the esteemed Marc Appleton and built by MATT Construction. As the day transitioned into evening, the Rusacks personally hosted a private Rusack Vineyards wine tasting and an exquisite four-course dinner on the sands of Descanso Beach Club. Guests savored a wine made from Catalina-grown grapes—an almost mythical detail known to few. The 65 attendees spent the night at the elegantly restored Hotel Atwater, traveling to and from the island via helicopter, marking the most ambitious Estate Partners retreat to date.
2022
A RETURN TO JEROME’S WORLD
With the success of its first gathering, Estate Partners elevated the experience for its second year, once again returning to Jerome Gastaldi’s artist sanctuary. This time, the event centered around a collaborative artistic endeavor—a sprawling 50-foot mural, with each guest leaving their mark. A pottery-throwing experience was added, giving attendees another medium to explore their creativity. The group reconvened at The Seabird Resort in Oceanside, where an elaborate cocktail hour stretched late into the night. The retreat followed its now-signature format: a luxurious overnight stay and a morning spent reconnecting over breakfast, solidifying friendships and creative partnerships.
2021
THE INAUGURAL GATHERING
Estate Partners, under the vision of Natasha Hogan, launched its first-ever retreat with an immersive artistic experience at renowned painter Jerome Gastaldi’s private compound Villa con Cuore in Fallbrook, CA. Guests stepped into his world, taking part in hands-on painting sessions and a personal lecture on his creative process. As the afternoon unfolded, glasses of exquisite wine accompanied strolls through his lush gardens, with privileged glimpses into back rooms brimming with his finished works. The evening transitioned to sunset cocktails at the newly opened Mission Pacific Hotel in Oceanside, where guests continued their conversations over drinks before retreating for a restful night. The next morning’s brunch sealed what would become the defining essence of Estate Partners’ retreats—a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and deep connection.