Come for the wine, stay for the design.
Victorian architecture meets modern design at MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa in Sonoma. Founded as an estate, vineyard and working farm over a century ago, the lush property’s buildings maintain their historic bones but the interiors have been modernized in a sleek black and white color scheme. 29 E MacArthur St., Sonoma, 707-938-2929, macarthurplace.com (MacArthur Place)
Guest room at MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa in Sonoma. (MacArthur Place)
Guest bath at MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa in Sonoma. (MacArthur Place)
Guest room patio at MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa in Sonoma. (MacArthur Place)
Outdoor shower at MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa in Sonoma. (MacArthur Place)
Layla restaurant at MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa in Sonoma. (MacArthur Place)
For casual but modern design, the H2hotel in Healdsburg is an eye-catching option. Sustainability is central to the design of this hotel and each area includes fine art pieces, from SkLO blown glass in the lobby to a spoon fountain by internationally acclaimed artist Ned Kahn in the restaurant. 219 Healdsburg Ave., 707-431-2202, h2hotel.com
A blanket of plants covers the H2hotel's undulating roofline. (H2hotel)
H2hotel's commitment to Wabi-Sabi design principles (embracing imperfection and transience) means the balconies and other metal elements are left to acquire a patina. (H2hotel)
H2hotel offers a plant-styling room upgrade called “Living Rooms.” Plants are sourced from nearby Dragonfly Floral, known for their innovative designs. (H2hotel)
For a vineyard-meets-art gallery tasting experience, head to Donum Estate. The Sonoma Valley property is home to more than 50 fine art sculptures from world-renowned artists, including site-specific commissions. Tickets can be purchased for guided experiences to view the collection and sip Donum’s award-winning chardonnays and pinot noirs. 24500 Ramal Road, Sonoma, 707-732-2200, thedonumestate.com (Donum Estate)
The Vertical Panorama Pavilion at The Donum Estate in Sonoma. (The Donum Estate)
A Louise Bourgeois spider occupies a glass pavilion at The Donum Estate in Sonoma. (Courtesy of The Donum Estate)
Inside the Donum Estate tasting room in Sonoma. (Eric Petschek/Donum Estate)
King and Queen, 1987, by Keith Herring at The Donum Estate in Sonoma. (Anthony Laurino)
Enjoy Sonoma Coast wines paired with mezze plates from Little Saint restaurant at Marin Layer Wines. Enhancing the experience is the stunning design of this tasting room, which is the work of Sonoma’s own noteworthy design duo, The Hommeboys. Design lovers will enjoy the mix of different shapes, layers and textures. 308 B Center St., 707-395-0830, marinelayerwines.com (Gretchen Gause)
At Marine Layer Wines in Healdsburg. (Gretchen Gause)
The Madrona in Healdsburg is an elegant spot for lunch, drinks or dinner. The newly renovated interiors by Jay Jeffers offer eye-catching, envelope-pushing style. Think bright yellow walls paired with geometric textiles in shades of brown, or pattern-rich curtains and furniture. The unexpected mix of design elements in this updated circa-1880s mansion makes the look sing. 1001 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707-395-6700, themadronahotel.com (Matthew Millman)
A warm ambiance in one of the three dining areas at The Madrona in Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
A wallpaper mural of the Madrona Manor, est. 1881, in one of the three dining areas at The Madrona in Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Unique artwork fills the walls at The Madrona in Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Fern Bar in Sebastopol has a greenery-forward dining room that takes its inspiration from the fern barns of the 1970s. There’s a collection of fern plants placed on overhead beams, hung from the ceiling and in large planters spaced throughout. The plant vibes are echoed in botanical wallpaper and the green hue of the upholstery. With experimental options on the menu, it makes sense that the design also is new and fresh. 6780 Depot St., Suite 120, Sebastopol, 707-861-9603, fernbar.com (Fern Bar)
At Fern Bar in Sebastopol. (Kelly Puleio Photography)
At Fern Bar in Sebastopol. (Kelly Puleio Photography)
Come for the wine, stay for the design. Sonoma County may be a wine lover’s mecca but it also offers plenty of sleek style and decor to take in while sipping on a drink or enjoying a meal. Click through the above gallery for a few tasting rooms, restaurants, bars and hotels that will please any discerning design lover.
