![]() But the castellano olive bread from Goguette Bread bakery in Santa Rosa served alongside duck fat butter with fennel oil and fennel pollen was not only to die for, but more than likely contributed to my post-trip weight gain! ![]() The highlight of our meal was a shared starter of house-made pappardelle with black truffles shaved tableside (presented in a temperature-controlled humidor). Stick with me here, because although certain offerings may sound strange, everything worked harmoniously – from the salmon topped with a sliver of crisp pumpernickel bread to a dessert named “peas and carrots.” The wine list is stellar and you may have a hard time choosing what to pair with your meal. I also tried Sonoma’s Arbe Garbe Malvasia Bianca and Tocai Friulano, but must admit I preferred the Austrian wine that evening. While I usually try wines of the region, I couldn’t resist the Huber Grüner Veltliner from Austria, which was perfection with the bivalves. We began our culinary adventure with a beautiful array of four different varieties of succulent raw oysters served with a Bloody Mary mignonette, cocktail sauce, and Chef JP’s hot sauce. There’s even an open kitchen with counter seating if you want to watch the chefs in action. Napa and Sonoma wine country chefs all need to be at the top of their game, and Chef Jason Pringle and Chef de Cuisine Thomas Mendel are food artists, par excellence. Food as Art The resort restaurant, Hazel Hill, delivered elegance in a meal (photo by Christian Horan)ĭinner at Montage Healdsburg’s Hazel Hill was as delicious as it was visually exciting. ![]() The feeling is casual, but the service (not only in the restaurant but throughout the property) is exemplary and guests are treated like royalty. Mount Saint Helena in the distance turning lavender-pink at sunset was an added treat as a terrific jazz duo of guitar/stand-up bass provided a perfect sound backdrop. The indoor/outdoor dining venue features tranquil views across the vineyards planted by current Sonoma uber winemaker star Jesse Katz. Returning to our room, it was warm enough to enjoy the outdoor shower before dressing for dinner at the resort’s Hazel Hill. We dropped our bags, jumped into our bathing suits, and immediately hit the “adults only” zero edge pool and jacuzzi. Stargazing at night is de rigueur and there are even weather-dependent stargazing events on property, and other onsite options/activities including a terrific play area and family pool for those traveling with kids. Decorated in neutral tones and natural materials, the spacious room was designed to emphasize the focus on the trees outside the massive sliding glass doors that open onto the equally spacious deck with a firepit and plenty of seating. An equally sweet “bell-woman” – one of two on staff – whisked me and my traveling companion off in a golf cart to one of the 130 beautifully designed and handsomely appointed tree-top view rooms in pods tucked into the forest and built on stilts. ![]() Upon check-in, the most gracious and beautiful Yanet greeted me with a complimentary glass of excellent, light, and crisp Sonoma/Russian River Valley 2020 Chardonnay from LIOCO vineyards (they have a tasting room in town). Vineyards have been planted on property (and an acorn planted for any oak tree removed for the resort project), 60-plus private homes are being built (mostly second or third homes) and lots are for sale, but it was the hotel’s woodsy location, just two and a half miles from the town square, that makes Montage a perfect base for Sonoma wine country exploring. This included checking out the recently opened Montage Healdsburg resort, a stunning and tranquil retreat set on 258 acres of heritage oak forest, also dotted with manzanita and madrone trees. My fall trip to Northern California wine country was designed to spend a few nights during the tail end of harvest season in Sonoma. ![]()
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