Destinations / APPELLATIONS
Harmon
Guest House
Healdsburg’s Latest Attraction
Late last summer, Piazza Hospitality opened
its third Healdsburg property, Harmon Guest
House, named in honor of Harmon Heald, the
town’s founder. The group behind this luxe
trio has deep ties to Marin, founded by the late
Merritt Sher and Paolo Petrone, who along with
their families decided to make Healdsburg a
tourist destination in the ’90s, “It was a short
drive from Marin, and we all loved the small
town vibe. The downtown design including the
plaza was of walkable scale and there was a deep community feeling that was fostered by the town’s founder
Harmon Heald’s thoughtful urban plan,” explains Circe Sher, now a partner of Piazza Hospitality. In the late
’80s, the town council was looking for someone to come in and create a hotel, a destination near the square
to attract weekend visitors. Enter Merritt Sher, who had previously had success at Oakland’s Jack London
Square. “My dad and his partner Paolo Petrone have had a passion about Healdsburg and when they learned
the western block of the plaza was an economic development site zoned for hotels, they were thrilled and
took their time to make sure it was done with respect to the community and environment,” Circe says. With
sustainability and green initiatives among its priorities, Harmon Guest House features numerous envi-
ronmentally friendly elements, including a sun-shading slat system to reduce solar heat gain, electric car
charging stations and all LED lighting. The hotel also includes a rainwater harvesting system that provides
100 percent of the property’s irrigation needs. Additional green elements include a solar thermal water
heating system, low/no VOC paints and coatings, a storm-water bio-swale, recycled-content and regional-content materials, reclaimed finish materials, high-efficiency irrigation system with weather-based controls,
and water-efficient plumbing fixtures. The property also utilizes FSC Certified wood throughout the building. “My dad, who recently passed would have been thrilled to see the opening of Harmon Guest House,”
Circe adds. “The 39-room retreat features inviting public spaces, such as our rooftop bar and lounge, and a
1,493-square-foot event space named after him, called Merritt Hall.” MIMI TO WLE
WALK AND WINE
Wine — it can be crispy or
creamy, opulent or unctuous and scores of other
things depending on the
kind you’re having. Whatever it is, however, it is not a
slimming beverage. A standard five-ounce pour is anywhere between 113 and 126
calories, which tallies up
pretty quickly. Want to reap
the benefits of wine without
sacrificing your waistline?
Join artist and wine producer Alice Sutro of Sutro
Wine Co. for a 35-minute
hike at her family’s historic Warnecke Ranch and
Vineyard in Healdsburg.
Learn about the development of the ranch by world
renowned architect, John
Carl Warnecke and after
the hike, head down to the
Jimtown Store in Alexander Valley for a tasting of
Sutro’s three acclaimed
wines paired with delicacies from the kitchen. Over
in Calistoga, Amici Cellars
offers a half-day immersion
experience in the form of a
boots-in-the-field tour and
tasting from two of these
centuries-old vineyards,
known as the Beckstoffer
Heritage Vineyards. The
day wraps up a visit to
Amici Cellars’ Calistoga
winery and a seasonally-inspired meal. sutrowine.
com, amicicellars.com K.P.
The Whole Lot
Planning a big party, whether it’s a milestone birthday or family reunion, is understandably stressful. It’s one
thing getting everyone to show up, and the other issue is how to accommodate the entire crew. Fortunately,
the new Vista Collina can handle all of those concerns. The property is a mini community, offering visitors
an abundance of amenities like Fivetown Grocery, a market featuring freshly baked pastries, salads and
sandwiches, wine and cocktails as well as an event calendar packed with wine dinners, concerts, a seasonal
Artisan Market, and an expansive community lawn that you can kick back on. But of course it wouldn’t truly
be wine country without tasting, and there’s no shuttles required to get in on them here. Around the lawn are
nine tasting rooms — eight boutique wineries including Cornerstone Cellars, Jayson by Pahlmeyer and The
Wine Foundry, plus Napa Smith Brewery for the craft brew ilk. As for lodging, there is not shortage of it. A
vast space, Vista Collina boasts 145 rooms, including 39 suites with gourmet kitchens and large adjoining bal-conies perfect for hosting unforgettable alfresco fetes. meritagecollection.com/vista-collina KASIA PA WLO WSKA
