We don’t know about you, but our idea of a perfect spa day involves relaxation, delicious food, good wine and gorgeous scenery, all of which can be found right in our own backyard, so to speak — wine country. Head north to unwind at these bespoke spas where you can enjoy all of the above, and more.
Wellness Barn, Farmhouse Inn
Forestville
Spa
There have been a lot of changes at Russian River Valley’s luxurious Farmhouse Inn in the past year, and a spa treatment at the new Wellness Barn is not to be missed. Opened in summer 2021 and helmed by spa director and St. Regis Aspen vet Irisha Steele, the Wellness Barn offers signature services including massage (from $215 for 60 minutes) and the full-body Gems & Stones ($355 for 90 minutes) treatment featuring exfoliation, an alfresco shower, and massage with warm and cool stones and gemstones. New wellness experiences include Vineyard Bathing (price varies) among hidden vineyards, a stress-relieving take on forest bathing that also includes wine tasting, and Pedal to Wellness ($1,286 for two people), an e-bike ride to Bricoleur Vineyards for a yoga session among the vines followed by a six-course wine-and-food pairing lunch and a massage for two back at the Wellness Barn.
Sip
Nearby, sample the elegant sparkling wines at family-owned Iron Horse Vineyards’ rustic outdoor tasting bar while enjoying sweeping vineyard views.
Eat & Sleep
Reserve ahead to feast on seasonal dishes with ingredients from co-owners Joe and Catherine Bartolomei’s ranch at the Michelin-starred Farmhouse Restaurant, which just underwent a dining room and menu refresh, or go casual with the all-day menu at Farmstand (think pizza from a wood-fired oven and vanilla soft serve). Bed down in one of the resort’s luxurious lodging options, including the newly renovated cottages. (Lodging from $950)
Halehouse, Stanly Ranch
Napa
Spa
Part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, newly opened Napa property Stanly Ranch’s Halehouse is now open to nonguests ($350 for a day pass). The state-of-the-art wellness center incorporates a spa, fitness facilities, and pre- and post-workout recovery center with a hyperbaric oxygen chamber and cryotherapy plunge pool, plus a pool with panoramic views. Bodywork treatments include therapeutic deep tissue massage ($275, 60 minutes) and Swedish massage ($250, 60 minutes), and esthetics services include the Cryotherapy Facial ($375, 60 minutes), designed to stimulate collagen production, reduce fine lines and pores, and decrease redness and inflammation.
Sip
In downtown Napa, Levendi just unveiled a chic tasting room, where the winery’s top-rated cabernet sauvignon, among other wines, are poured alongside light bites.
Eat & Sleep
Local ingredients play a starring role at Stanly Ranch’s Bear restaurant, highlighting fermented and grilled cuisine, or opt for a spritz and plant-forward fare poolside at Provence-inspired Basin Bar. Stay the night in one of the resort’s 135 rooms and suites, many with luxe details including outdoor showers, lounge areas and fire pits with views of the surrounding ranch lands and vineyards. (Lodging from $1,300)
Spa Montage Healdsburg
Healdsburg
Spa
Set amidst vineyards surrounded by 258 acres of rolling hills dotted with native oaks, Montage Healdsburg is all about appreciating the natural surroundings, which is also the focus of the treatments offered at its 11,500-square-foot spa. Two to try: The Harvest Honey Ginger Infusion Ritual($355 for 90 minutes) incorporates the nourishing power of honey, hand-harvested from the property, and immune-boosting ginger into the treatment’s mineral scrub, hydrating massage, body wrap, scalp massage and facial acupressure, while L’elixir Des Glaciers — Essence of Bees (90 minutes for $525) — relies on Swiss cellulotherapy from the Valmont Clinic for a facial designed to smooth facial lines and restore elasticity.
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Winemaker Jesse Katz of Aperture Cellars oversees Montage Healdsburg’s 15-plus acres of rolling vineyards. Head to the winery, six miles away, to taste Bordeaux-inspired blends in the stunning, modern tasting center featuring photography by Andy Katz.
Eat & Sleep
Chef Jason Pringle turns out seasonally driven, French- and California-inspired dishes at Montage Healdsburg’s Hazel Hill; opt for a seat on the shady patio for panoramic views of the property. Book a night in one of the resort’s 130 bungalow-style guestrooms and suites nestled into the hillsides. (Lodging from $1,455)
The Spa at MacArthur, MacArthur Place
Sonoma
Spa
The Spa at MacArthur incorporates fruits, flowers and herbs grown onsite in the Sonoma-based resort’s gardens in many of its treatments, which include massages (from $175 for 50 minutes) and an Anti-Aging Facial ($175 for 50 minutes) utilizing LED light therapy and collagen-promoting products. Or, bliss out with the Sēfari ‘Bathe in Nature’ Immersion ($325 for 100 minutes), a multisensory guided bath experience created for the spa by artist, explorer and water healer Jobi Manson. The ritual begins with stereophonic sound-enhanced soak followed by a 70-minute essential oil massage and tea service curated by Sonoma’s UppercaseTea.
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Bartholomew Estate Vineyards and Winery opened in 2019 in historic 375-acre Bartholomew Park. Enjoy a tasting in the gallery featuring Sonoma Plein Air artists or outdoors in a grove of oak trees — or pick up a bottle of rosé to go for a picnic on the park’s grounds.
Eat & Sleep
Soak up the scene at MacArthur Place’s Layla restaurant, where locally sourced, organic Mediterranean-inspired dishes are served in a casual-chic garden setting. Overnight guests can choose from guest rooms or suites, some of which include fireplaces and outdoor showers. (From $799)
More from Marin:
- 4 Eco-Friendly Wineries Paving the Way for Sustainable Wine in Wine Country
- Coombsville: The Secluded, Scenic Napa Wine Destination That You Probably Didn’t Know About
- Nostalgia, Intrigue, and a Glass of Wine: See Wine Country in Style on Napa Valley Wine Train’s Murder Mystery Tour
Lotus Abrams has covered everything from beauty to business to tech in her editorial career, but it might be writing about her native Bay Area that inspires her most. She lives with her husband and two daughters in the San Francisco Peninsula, where they enjoy spending time outdoors at the area’s many open spaces protected and preserved by her favorite local nonprofit, the Peninsula Open Space Trust.
