::Dusts off suitcase::
Travel, darling. How I’ve missed you dearly.
14 months since the world shut down, I couldn’t imagine a better place to celebrate the glimmering lights of travel turning back on than a return to one of my all-time favorite properties - Russian River’s Farmhouse Inn, Spa & Restaurant - for their 20th Anniversary celebration.
Nestled between Guerneville and Santa Rosa off River Rd, Farmhouse is one of those rare places you could linger for just-about-ever.
Luxury without the pretense. Chic without the shabby. Charmed without the intimacy of a B&B.
Co-owned by siblings Joe and Catherine Bartolomei, this native, 5th-generation grape-growing family has transformed a rustic 1873 farmhouse and rundown cottages into 25 expansive guest rooms with scenic views, a bustling Michelin-starred restaurant with a wine list to represent the surrounds, and a spa that is a destination itself.
We celebrated my best friend Kristin’s bachelorette here in 2016, and I couldn’t wait to be back.
On a recent weekend, T and I escaped for the night and dropped our bags just in time for the second dinner seating at the Michelin-starred Farmhouse Restaurant.
As you’d expect, all ingredients are sourced fresh and seasonal from Sonoma County, and there are plenty of options for carnivores and vegetarians alike.
The menu is always evolving, but you can call ahead or check out a sample here.
To pair, T brought along a beautifully complex 2005 Vincent Girardin Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru and we matched it with a local 2017 DuMol Estate Chardonnay from their extensive wine list for a side-by-side experience. (My Tasting Notes on Vivino).
It was the type of meal you look back on for weeks.
The house topped us off with a sweet dash of local Sonoma Port Works’s Petit Verdot Port, and the 24-hour pool and hot tub held us captive from there.
Each of the 3 room types offered are expansive, open and has it’s own fireplace and deck.
At the time of our visit, breakfast was only being served direct to the room, but the dining room has since re-opened.
Built out inside of the rustic farmhouse, the Farmhouse Spa is a destination of its own.
Scents of lavender, bergamot, earthy sandalwood and patchouli are sprinkled about. The water is infused with rosemary and petals. Each open-air treatment room is sprinkled with sun.
They’ve recently welcomed a new Spa Director - Irisha Steele (who is an absolute doll) from the St. Regis Aspen Resort, and are currently planning to add new wine country excursions boasting the best of Sonoma to their packages as well.
Like the restaurant, the spa can book up far in advance, so be sure to book ahead and leave plenty of time for lingering around the patio before and after your treatment.
The 60 min. Swedish massage was a portal into another place. Next time I’m looking at you, body scrub.
As the conversation on travel and COVID continues to evolve, prioritizing local staycations is one of the best ways I plan to stay inspired, and Farmhouse Inn, Spa & Restaurant is one of those rare places that helps you forget - if even for a moment - that anywhere else even exists.
When you make your way to Russian River’s Farmhouse, a few other local favorites in the neighborhood I recommend are:
Flowers Vineyards (reservation required)
Andy’s Produce Market
The sweetest little flower stand at 9516 Graton Rd.
Congratulations the team at Farmhouse on your special 20th anniversary, especially during these trying times for hospitality. I look forward to returning for years to come.
A one-night stay and complimentary spa treatment was provided by Farmhouse Inn for this review. All opinions and experiences are my own.