Your Own Tree House in Wine Country — the Montage Healdsburg Resort Shows Off a

Since Montage Healdsburg rang in its first anniversary in December, the chic resort land is continuing to prove that California’s Sonoma Valley could use a new type of luxury. Hidden in the rolling hills where the Alexander and Russian River Valleys meet, the resort is breaking wine country barriers, providing a new kind of stay.

Surrounded by award winning wineries — spots like Jordan Winery and Aperture Cellars — the resort’s stunning property is a quick drive from heart of Healdsburg, one of the low key, charming towns that dot Sonoma County. Montage Healdsburg is the sixth resort from Montage and it’s definitely a first of its kind for the area.

I was curious to see how this new chic sanctuary on the more under the radar side of the mountains would compare to the luxe offerings that can be found in neighboring Napa Valley.

Montage Healdsburg is 14 years in the making — and before the resort could spring up, Montage worked to get local buy-in. Its mission is to fit into the spirit of Healdsburg, a hidden gem of a Sonoma County town, and not dramatically change its untouched appeal. In many ways, the natural surroundings of Healdsburg and its small town charm are the appeal.

Even at the planning stages, Montage created programs to give back to the community and protect the local environment. It’s about shining a light a lesser known corner of the wine country without changing it.

Delawie Architects took on the task of melding Montage Healdsburg into the stunning natural surroundings. The resort is almost built into the hills. Delawie coined the term “farmitecture” to describe the contemporary farmhouse feel it brought to life.

Each of the resorts 130 suites are their own chic little tree houses set cantilevered among the vine filled hills and oak trees. It’s like having your very own modern but rustic-feeling bungalow. The suites’ enormous patios and outdoor fireplaces (some even come with outdoor showers) further bring the tree and vine-ladened hills in.

Of course, in order to match its wine country peers, Montage Healdsburg needs next level food. The resort’s signature restaurant Hazel Hill, led by Chef Jason Pringle, combines California charisma with French gastronomy.

Dishes like locally sourced Liberty Farms duck breast and a mouthwatering dungeness crab chitarra (Pringle’s signature creamy yet punchy pasta dish) can be paired with endless selections from the lengthy wine list of wine country heavy hitters.

The resort even plays host to 15.5 acres of on-property vineyards, overseen by Jesse Katz, the hotel’s well known partnering winemaker. Merlot, Petite Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc grapes are grown on-property and bottled at Katz’s Aperture Cellars Winery, located just six miles from the resort.

Montage…