Kurt Bakken

Kurt Bakken is a residential specialist with extensive experience in the country, vineyards, and estate properties. At first a successful restaurateur in Wine Country, he became a licensed agent in 2003 after several years of friends asking for his knowledgeable investment and building advice. He later designed, built, and ran the popular Saketini, an Asian-fusion restaurant that opened in 2000 and was lauded for being “ahead of its time.” Thanks to his deep roots in hospitality, Kurt’s philosophy is that the best results come from completely focused, engaged service, where the priority is quality over quantity. His many years on the construction side of the industry have also factored into his love for a challenge. Whether building custom homes from grade to finish, or handling fixer and flip remodels, Kurt understands "real" from the inside out. His clients appreciate that he is “laid-back but knowledgeable,” as he tries to provide a clear picture of what the options are with every investment. Raised in the Napa Valley, Kurt earned a degree in psychology before teaching English in Japan for a brief time. Being exposed to the historic structures in Kyoto gave him a deeper appreciation for architecture and his Japanese heritage. Eventually, he returned home to his tightly knit family in the Napa Valley, where he enjoys golfing, fishing, and spending time with his four siblings.