In short… Montage Healdsburg is a rare full-service resort in the heart of Sonoma’s wine country with a ton of onsite activities—great for families, but also plenty of privacy if you’re looking to get away.
The surroundings… are the star here. The Montage Healdsburg sprawls across 258 wild acres that includes groves of gnarled oaks and eucalyptus, wildflower fields and its own 15-acre vineyard in the intersection of the Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley and Alexander Valley. (Downtown Healdsburg is just 4 miles away.)
The vibe… Airy and relaxed—the huge main lobby is very indoor-outdoor, with a 4-sided glass fireplace at the center and a bar to one side. A polished urban crowd (men in navy puffer vests and suede loafers, women in crisp white button-downs) sip wine and margaritas on deep couches, leather chairs, and tables on a patio that overlook a mountain vista and the pin-straight rows of the property’s vineyard. It could risk feeling a tad corporate—there was a work retreat going on in the event spaces the day I was there—but there’s a warmth to the room, the playlist and the staff that put you instantly at ease.
The rooms… Although it’s a very big resort—130 guest rooms—the property feels spacious and wild. The angular bungalows are camouflaged into the landscape along a twisting and tree-lined path, many perched on stilts for a light footprint. (The builders were careful not to disturb the property’s 22,000 oak trees and added back native drought-resistant plants.)
The rooms have a California modern-Japanese vibe, with blond wood built-ins, furniture and screens, soaring glass windows, and balconies with fire pits. In the huge bathroom, it was hard to decide between the deep soaking tub and outdoor shower. The mini-bar makes sure that you’re there to relax, too, with a welcome half-bottle of Aperture Cabernet Sauvignon and a very well-stocked bar (Monkey 47, Clase Azul).
The wellness… The spa is huge, with comfy treatment rooms and a great spa shop. (Non-guests are welcome to book treatments.) There is a schedule of fitness and wellness classes—I was supposed to do “yoga among the vines,” held in a grassy spot next to the vineyard, but the class moved indoors due to weather. If you’re in the area for more than the tastings, there’s an ample gym, road and e-bike rentals, and pickleball courts. And one of the hotel’s two pools is reserved for family; the other for adults.
The food & drink… The hotel’s main restaurant, Hazel Hill—named for the hazelnut tree grove on property—is overseen by chef Jason Pringle and serves a farm-to-table menu (everything sourced locally) with French influences. The menu is a reminder of Sonoma’s proximity to the ocean, with seafood like coconut-lime salt-spring mussels and king salmon alongside coq au vin and wagyu steak frites. I had a grilled chicken paillard with local gem lettuce that was delicious. In warmer months, there’s also a poolside grill. And if you don’t want a full breakfast, you can pick up coffee and locally made pastries and snacks at the Healdsburg Country Store on property.
The wine list, with roughly 500 entries (75% from Northern California), runs from $55 to off the hook, with the sweet spot around $150. And this year, the Montage started producing its own wine exclusively for guests and residents from grapes harvested on its estate vineyard in partnership with winemaker Jesse Katz of Aperture Cellars—the first release included a 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021 Sauvignon Blanc and 2023 Rosé.
Be sure to… Check out the property’s apiary—there are four hives and a natural log nest where you can peer in to see the bees at work (there’s also a honey tasting experience). And if you come and haven’t done your research (or read our Black Book!), the Montage’s concierge can arrange visits to local Russian River and Alexander Valley wineries and beyond.
Date of stay… April 19, 2023
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