Wow, I don’t even know where to start on our trip to Sonoma. It was exactly what we needed for our first anniversary. I joked that we were setting the bar too high for all of our other anniversaries. Our actual anniversary was back in September, but Cameron was traveling for work so we decided on an October getaway, and I’m so happy we pushed it back! September is peak season because the grapes are still on the vines and you get to see more of the harvest process. While I’m sure that is amazing experience that I’d love to see one day, I was happy with being there in October without the rush. Oftentimes we were the only people at the wineries we visited and we got a lot of one-on-one time at the tastings. We got to ask as many questions as we wanted about the wines which made for an overall more intimate experience.

We have stayed in a lot of different places over the years, and Farmhouse Inn has definitely been one of our favorites. The attention to detail is so evident in every aspect of the property. The heated bathroom floors, the warm homemade cookies delivered to your room every night, the serene property, the homemade marshmallows for s’mores by the fire and so much more make Farmhouse Inn truly one-of-a-kind. Just reminiscing on our time while writing this post makes me want to plan another trip back!

We stayed in a King Deluxe suite and it was just perfect. Complete with country-chic decor, a private balcony, a dreamy jacuzzi tub and a steam shower, there’s really nothing else you could ask for. We found ourselves canceling plans toward the end of our trip just so we could spend more time in our room and on the property.

The amazing Farmhouse staff set up a day of wine tasting with their winery partners. If you’ve ever tried to plan a trip to wine country, you probably know how overwhelming it can be when deciding on which wineries to visit. This itinerary took the stress out of planning out trip. We knew we were in good hands because the owners Joe and Catherine were born and raised in the area, and are well connected in the wine world.

Our first winery stop was at the beautiful Lambert Bridge in Healdsburg. I had never heard of this winery before, and after visiting I understand why. They focus on producing small lot, handcrafted artisanal wine. They don’t focus on appealing to the masses but rather perfecting their craft. I absolutely fell in LOVE with their Petite Verdot. Not to mention the property and tasting room are impeccable! I highly recommend visiting this winery.

Our second stop was of the day was Medlock Ames. The wines we tried at Medlock Ames were to die for (we came home with several bottles), but honestly what I enjoyed most was learning about the sustainability of their winemaking practices. The winery was started in 1998 by friends Chris Medlock James and Ames Morison and they are 100% organically farmed and 100% solar-powered. They advocate for progressive, creative farming and it was so interesting to learn about. We even got to meet Ames himself on our way out. We will definitely be stopping by again on our next visit to wine country.

Our favorite restaurant during our time in Healdsburg was Valette. After a long day of bouncing around we were ready for a relaxing dinner and Valette was just the place. Valette was born from two brothers’ lifelong dream of creating a unique dining experience their hometown. We even got to meet the brothers’ dad who greeted chatted with us about how proud he is of his sons. It was the perfect date night spot with a rustic ambiance and the food was delicious!

All in all I cannot say enough wonderful things about our stay at Farmhouse Inn. If you’re looking for a relaxing and peaceful getaway, you must look into a trip to Sonoma County. It made for an idyllic anniversary trip but would also be great fora girl’s weekend or a relaxing family vacation. Here’s to many more trips back in our future!

Have you ever been to Sonoma? What was your favorite experience? Let me know in the comments below!

xx Hunter