Bal Harbour

P H OTO BY R AC H I D DA H N O U N ( K AT Z ) , M I C H A E L W O O L S E Y ( VA L E T T E ) ; C O U R T E S Y S I N G L E T H R E A D ; P H OTO BY G E N T L & H Y E R S , C O U R T E S Y DAW N R A N C H Jesse Katz doesn't mince words. "I truly think Healdsburg is the incubator right now for artistic minds—for those doing it at the top level in the culinary, hospitality, and wine spaces," says the 43-year–old winemaker and founder of Aperture Cellars. "You can redefine yourself here. You can find sites, like this one, that have never been farmed before." And in his case, create lots of 100-point wines; his 2020 Del Rio Vineyard was the first perfect 100-point Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon. Katz, who was named Wine Enthusiast's 2025 Winemaker of the Year, is also responsible for the new Montage Estate wines, whose grapes are harvested from the vines he planted at Montage Healdsburg in 2019. Capture the latest release, a rosé, exclusively at Montage and Pendry Hotels, or visit the architecturally striking Aperture Estate winery for the complete Bordeaux-style experience. Kyle and Katina Connaughton are the husband–and–wife team behind three Michelin–starred SingleThread restaurant and inn, (as well as the recently opened SoNoMa in Kyoto, Japan). In a twist on farm-to-table, guests are encouraged to visit SingleThread Farm as a part of the dining experience. "We bring people here to connect them with seasonality and locality," says Katina, who leads the farm and the floral design team, whose arrangements transform the restaurant in dialogue with the menu. "We feel very fortunate to be a part of the fabric of this agricultural community." Adds Chef Kyle, "There's a great connection between the farms, the winemakers, and the artisans. You might come try a wine at our restaurant for the first time, and then tomorrow you can end up meeting the winemaker—at Reeve, or Aperture, or LIOCO. Things sort of just naturally unfold here." Dustin Valette is the chef and owner of two beloved restaurants, Michelin-starred Valette (which he co-owns with his brother Aaron Garzini) and The Matheson—whose building once housed his great- grandfather's bakery. "Right now I'm thinking about tomatoes. We're heading into that stretch where everything comes in at once, heirlooms with real depth and sweetness, cherry tomatoes that taste like the sun. Stone fruit, too. A perfectly ripe peach on a savory plate is a Sonoma County moment you can't replicate anywhere else. This region gives us so much. Our job is just to get out of the way and let it speak." When not in the kitchen, "I like to take Highway 116 through the redwoods, out to the coast, then north to Hog Island in Marshall to shuck oysters on the water. The Russian River follows you out through the trees until the whole Pacific opens up." Just 30 minutes due west of Healdsburg is the quirky town of Guerneville, which has for decades maintained a free-spirited river resort vibe. At Dawn Ranch, that bohemian spirit takes an unmistakably luxurious turn. The 22-acre enclave offers myriad accommodations, from cabins and chalets to secluded bungalows in their own redwood grove. For those who want to really slow down and melt into the sounds, scents, and stillness of this enchanted region, the Spa Cottage is your sanctuary away from home. Beginning with the private courtyard entrance outfitted with a handcrafted redwood soaking tub and fire pit to the Le Labo bath products and in-room HigherDose infrared therapy mat, the message is clear: Make time for you. Pop into the spa next door to enjoy a treatment, or take a vial of Cause Medic CBD and lavender bath salts back to your own tub, and you might just miss your late checkout. OF PLACE The 100-Point Proof From the Ground Up Where the Chefs Go Meet the Makers SIDE TRIP Dawn Ranch is a magical escape where the Redwoods meet the Russian River. The Russian River provides a majestic backdrop at Dawn Ranch; at right, the Spa Cottage's Japanese-inspired soaking tub In Northern Sonoma County, Healdsburg brings together Michelin stars, 100-point wines, and an element of discovery that never loses its sparkle. The latest perch to embrace it all celebrates the region with a culinary-centric model that's reinventing the wine-country experience. BY TALI JAFFE-MINOR Indeed, the ritual of brewing a bright cup and enjoying it on the terrace (which all rooms have) while the kids explored the on-site vegetable garden, felt truly luxurious. Grounding is a big part of the Appellation philosophy. At Terroir Spa, each treatment begins with a 30-minute foot bath enjoyed in a lounge that looks out over a circular patio centered around a gnarled, 100-year-old olive tree. Guests are offered a cooling rose quartz eye mask, as well as a weighted neck pillow that effectively forces you to surrender. The lymphatic facial is a great antidote to a day of wine country indulgences; it perfectly pairs high-tech LED light therapy with ancient gua sha massage for a circulation-boosting glow. Most treatments incorporate herbs and botanicals grown on-site. To further the destination immersion that Appellation is rooted in—the name is a clever play, most often used to refer to a specific grape-growing region, or AVA (American Viticultural Area)—the hotel has created Crafted, a series of workshops led by local makers and artisans. These include ikebana with a local floral designer, a blind honey tasting with a revered beekeeper, and a monthly sound bath and guided meditation. And then of course there is the hyper- local menu at Folia, which spotlights many of the area's purveyors, as well as its own garden with a prix-fixe menu Thursday through Saturday, and an a la carte option Sunday through Wednesday. "We want the restaurant to be the living room of the community," says Charlie Palmer, a longtime resident of Healdsburg. Adds Hunsberger, "When we travel, we want to go where the locals go, and we think a lot of travelers feel that way." It just so happens that you're in Healdsburg, where the locals—winemakers, vineyard hands, celebrated chefs, and stewards of the land alike—all have a seat at the same table. GET TO KNOW A FEW OF THE STEWARDS OF HEALDSBURG'S FOOD AND WINE LANDSCAPE.

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