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The Northern California city of Santa Rosa doesn’t typically rank high on the list when most wine enthusiasts set out to plan a trip to Sonoma County wine country. The urban center of life in these parts, Santa Rosa’s location comes with plenty of city-living conveniences, but if you’re searching for a property with vineyards views and that sought after feeling of staying in the thick of wine country, Vintners Resort is the city’s standout offering.
Located on close to 100 acres, just off of Highway 101 about a 10-minute drive north of downtown Santa Rosa, the property is one of the first resorts in Sonoma County set on a working vineyard. With 78 rooms, clustered together in a handful of two-story buildings, Vintners Resort has a Mediterranean feel. Blooming plants and gurgling fountains are scattered throughout. The central courtyard, just beyond the lobby, is photo-worthy in every season.
I stayed in a Vineyard View Deluxe room located on the second floor. It was a beginning of harvest season, so the views of lush, loaded grapevines from the balcony were the star of the show. A pair of chairs offered a spot to sit and take in the vista that attracts most visitors.
Along with a king bed and electric fireplace the room was equipped with a desk, many easy to access, USB ports and electric outlets, a small refrigerator, and Keurig coffee machine. Tea drinkers should take note there is no electric tea kettle or tea making supplies.
The bathroom was spacious; along with a double sink vanity, there was a walk-in shower with two shower heads, and a massive soaking bathtub. A branded cosmetic case on the vanity was loaded with lotion, make-up remover pads, a shower cap, dental kit, and more. Although I understand the attraction of a souvenir of sorts, the amount of single-use plastic it contained was notable.
The resort offers a number of amenities that encourage folks to linger. Along with a small, outdoor plunge pool, there’s a pair of bocce ball courts, and a mile walking trail that cuts through neighboring vineyards.
Vi La Vita Spa offers wellness experiences ranging from massages and facials, to sound baths. There’s also a small fitness center that is open to all guests.
Vintners Resort’s off the beaten track location makes for especially easy access to Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. Along with wine tasting, guests should consider hiking in the shade of towering redwoods at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, or visiting the rugged Sonoma Coast.
Onsite restaurant, John Ash & Co. is worthy of your time and money. Opened in 1980, the longtime local favorite is one of Sonoma County’s first farm-to-table restaurants. Seasonal menus served inside or on the enclosed patio overlooking rows of grapevines, are shaped by the restaurant’s culinary gardens and more than 30 local farms and purveyors.
Though dinner offerings can change frequently, selections might include pan seared diver scallops, homemade cavatelli, gazpacho made from tomatoes and melon, and Parker House rolls. Along with cocktails and beer, John Ash & Co. offers an impressive wine list that viewed on an iPad.
Open for breakfast and lunch, menus at River Vine are varied with offerings ranging from Eggs Benedict and Huevos Rancheros, to a Pulled Pork Quesadilla and a Macro Bowl with quinoa. Avocado, roasted yams and spinach.
Vintners Resort was sold in 2023 to Jackson Family Wines and commercial real estate investment firm, Ensemble Investments, LLC. Jackson Family Wines owns a number of wineries including Kendall-Jackson, La Crema, Verité, Matanzas Creek, and Copain, and the Jackson family is known for its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. I’m hoping that vision finds solid footing at Vintners Resort.
Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport is just three miles away; San Francisco International Airport is about a 70-mile drive.
Vintners Resort features a conference and events center, and is a popular location for weddings.
Rates for a Vineyard View Deluxe room start at $699 a night. Be sure to budget for the daily $45 resort fee. ($51.30 inclusive of tax.) It reportedly covers a variety of things including Wi-Fi, a split of wine, self-parking, and EV charging for guests arriving in electric vehicles. You can compare rates and look for a better deal on Booking.com or your favorite hotel booking site.
Vintners Resort is pet-friendly. There is a one-time, non-refundable pet fee of $150.00 per stay. A $50 additional fee applies per additional dog, with a limit of two dogs per room.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by Vintners Resort, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.
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