About Us

A Legacy of Elegance

Canadian-born Hiram Corey constructed the stunning Rancho Las Palmas for his family at a cost of $4,000. A prominent businessman and farmer, Mr. Corey sought elegance and refinement in every detail of his family's home.

While traveling through Europe, Mrs. Rose Frost Corey was inspired by the splendor of Château de Versailles and dreamed of bringing that same grace to the Salinas Valley. Upon their return, Hiram Corey commissioned his relative, Salinas architect Carlton Bassett, to design and build a magnificent Queen Anne–style mansion, blending European charm with Californian craftsmanship. Mrs. Corey adorned the home with fine antiques, ornate furnishings, and curated artwork, reflecting the timeless beauty of French design.

Years later, two bags of gold coins exchanged hands when Joe Violini, a Swiss immigrant, purchased the Rancho Las Palmas Victorian estate along with the 1,600-acre Las Palmas Ranch. The Violini family operated the ranch as a self-sufficient dairy farm, raising livestock, curing their own meats, and cultivating fruits and grapes. Family traditions ran deep — Mrs. Violini baked fresh bread while her children joyfully crushed grapes from their vines with their bare feet.

In time, the property passed through new ownership which began plans to subdivide the estate for development. The community was completed and the Corey House briefly served as a sales office before beginning its next chapter.

Today this elegant Victorian estate — now known as Chateau Coralini — proudly stands as a beloved community landmark and the welcoming gateway to the River Road Wine Trail. The mansion remains a testament to Salinas Valley's rich agricultural and architectural heritage, honoring both the Corey and Violini families who shaped its history.