Your Wellness Retreat Can — and Should — Include Wine

When I was growing up, my dad was a big proponent of the maxim "everything in moderation." As a Northern California kid, that meant watching the adults in my life pursue healthy lifestyles — jogging after work, camping on the weekends — while also not feeling guilty for indulging in good food . . . and, importantly, good wine.

I've very much carried that ethos with me into adulthood. And now that I'm based in San Francisco, not far from where I grew up, I'm able to live it out to its truest extent possible. Take, for example, a recent weekend trip to Farmhouse Inn, a luxurious getaway in Sonoma County's Russian River Valley, about an hour and a half drive from the city.

California's wine country is storied, and I feel very privileged to live so close. My friends and I usually opt for day trips over weekend stays, given that most of the lodging options aren't cheap. But when a splurge is in order, there's nothing quite like Sonoma and Napa's vineyard-adorned rolling hills, strong sun (and wine), and restorative activities. So when my partner and I were presented with the opportunity to escape San Francisco's summer fog and check out Farmhouse Inn, of course we jumped at the chance.

From its thoughtful touches — like daily afternoon wine tastings and a s'mores-making station after dinner — to its emphasis on rejuvenation, Farmhouse Inn proved to be the perfect balance of wellness and wine. Here were the highlights from our two-night stay.

About Farmhouse Inn

What I Like About Farmhouse Inn

The first thing that struck me about Farmhouse was how quaint it was: stepping into the "lobby" felt more like entering a living room and being greeted by friends. The staff welcomed us with a glass of rosé as they walked us through our personalized stay.

The entire grounds, really, felt like an adulthood version of sleeping over at that friend's house you coveted as a kid — subtly luxurious, inexplicably comforting, stocked with everything you could want. We were staying in one of the junior barn suites, which was cozy but extremely spacious. We especially loved the indoor-outdoor fireplace and huge patio, which overlooked a chicken coop; the bathroom also boasted extras like tub jets, a steam shower, and heated floors.

We could've hung out in our suite the entire weekend, but for this stay, we wanted that perfect mix of wellness and wine, and that's exactly what we got. One morning, we opted for a Pilates class and a private meditative sound bowl bath — a unique offering that set the perfect tone (excuse the pun) for the day.

Later, we headed to a wine tasting at Chalk Hill Estate, a nearby winery that's part of the hotel's partners program. If you're not familiar with wine country, take Farmhouse's recommendations; there are way too many wineries to choose from otherwise. Chalk Hill had beautiful hilltop views, a crisp, creative sauvignon gris, and an excellently appointed cheese plate full of local favorites.

I have to add: the food offerings at Farmhouse itself are excellent. One night, we checked out The Restaurant at Farmhouse Inn, which felt intimate, just like the rest of the property — as if you had a Michelin-starred chef as a friend and they offered to whip you up a meal. The freshly baked bread, fresh sungold tomatoes, and wagyu were standouts.

In general, the weather was marvelous — 85 degrees and sunny — so we spent our afternoons by the pool, trying to soak up all the vitamin D the fog had been keeping from us. The property is landscaped beautifully (I seemed to smell rosemary everywhere I went), and we appreciated the quiet.

Overall, the lowkey nature of Farmhouse really allowed us to soak in the relaxation. On our last night, once the sun went down, I did a moon milk bath, which was laden with freshly picked herbs and the intention of ushering in new beginnings. I wrote down my reflections, sipped on delicious tea, and soaked in gratitude for being able to experience such a beautiful place.

What to Consider Before Booking Farmhouse Inn

While its intimate size was something we really appreciated, the pool area and grounds were fitting for the limited number of guests. For bigger families looking for more space to spread out, there might be better options in the area.

Who Farmhouse Inn Is Best For

After we got back from our trip, we learned that our friends had stayed at Farmhouse a year before and also had an amazing time. It really does feel like a perfect getaway for folks who want to prioritize wellness, relaxation, and proximity to wineries (and nearby Russian River). Out-of-towners and Bay Area residents alike will appreciate the intimate feel of the grounds, the excellent food and wine offerings, and its very balanced take on what wellness in the wine country is all about.

Rating

★★★★★

Lena Felton (she/her) is a senior director of special projects at Popsugar, where she oversees sponsored packages, tentpole projects, and editorial partnerships. Previously, she was an editor at The Washington Post, where she led a team covering issues of gender and identity. She has been working in journalism since 2017, during which time her focus has been feature writing and editing and elevating historically underrepresented voices. Lena has worked for The Atlantic, InStyle, So It Goes, and more.