Photos by Tai Power Seef, courtesy of Farmhouse Inn
Home to historic barns, water towers and quaint bridges, California's Russian River Valley is a serene and romantic getaway. And what could be more romantic than staying in a charming farmhouse cottage dating back to 1873, just minutes from some of Sonoma county's most lovely wineries?
The Farmhouse Inn Forestville recently completed an expansion of its guest rooms and suites that are designed to draw the outdoors in. The four deluxe rooms and four suites in the barn add to the 10 original guest rooms already in place.
Healdsburg’s Myra Hoefer Design refurbished this historic wine country retreat, updating the original 1900s cottage rooms with plush feather bedding, crisp white linens, flat screen TVs and jetted tubs with rain shower heads. The baths include a Sumbody “bath bar” with bath salts, milks and sugar scrubs. Wood-burning fireplaces and wet/dry saunas are featured in many of the rooms.
For the ultimate getaway, be sure to book one of the new barn suites at Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant, which are tucked in a wooded grove. Hand-woven fabrics, weathered woods and rustic but modern furnishings add to the romance of the suites, which bring in nature with floor-to-ceiling windows and large French doors. Inside, comfort prevails with Carrera marble bathrooms, radiant heated floors, indoor-outdoor fireplaces and jetted tubs with views of the woods.
Personal touches abound at the six-acre Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant, where you'll receive fresh cut flowers, homemade cookies and milk each night, and an evening S’mores gathering crafted with homemade vanilla bean marshmallows. The Farmhouse Inn B&B also includes a two-course gourmet breakfast each morning.
But don't let its rustic setting fool you. There are plenty of modern conveniences here as well, from complimentary wireless DSL to a full-service spa featuring seasonal body treatments from wine country. The heated outdoor pool is a lovely spot to relax.
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Even if you aren't staying the night, the Farmhouse Inn Restaurant is worth a visit. Led by executive chef Steve Litke, the Michelin-starred restaurant blends Italian, French and Mexican cuisines with sustainable and organic fruits and vegetables. In keeping with its woodsy, idyllic setting, seasonal menu specialties may include "Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit," (applewood smoked bacon loin, rack and confit of leg served with whole grain mustard sauce and fingerling potatoes); or a duo of Berkshire pork with riesling-braised cabbage, chestnuts and sherry vinegar sauce. Geoff Kruth, Farmhouse Inn's Wine Director and Master Sommelier, offers a stellar wine list to compliment your meal featuring local, old and new world wines.
During you stay, the concierge team can arrange personalized winery tours and tastings — even for some not open to the public. Other activities include canoeing down the Russian River, live jazz in Healdsburg, or picnicking in the Armstrong woods.
To learn more about the Farmhouse Inn, visit www.farmhouseinn.com