My husband and I were fortunate enough to be able to spend a few days at The Madrones during our 29th wedding anniversary trip to Northern California. The estate itself is lovely with Mediterranean architecture and gardens anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring. It was the first few days in March, so too early for blossoms, but I've seen photographs of the gardens and know how stunningly beautiful they are, so we've pledged to return when everything is in bloom.
Upon arrival, we were greeted first by Cyndee at the adjacent Sun & Cricket store. She was exceptionally welcoming, as were the owners, who showed us the grounds, the stores, the tasting rooms, and even some of the guest quarters, which were all spectacularly designed and tastefully appointed. Elegant without being at all fussy is how I'd best describe it.
We stayed in the Living Room quarters at the cottage, a very large room with a stone fireplace, a sitting area, an elegant armoire with a giant TV, a fully accessible bathroom with a large shower and all the personal products you could need. But the star of our accommodations was the king-size bed with its plush comforter and the absolute softest sheets I've ever had the privilege to sleep on! You can even order a set for yourself. Out on the front porch, you can rock in the wood chair or glide on the bench while gazing up at a zillion stars and listening to the sounds of the nearby woodland. It's such a peaceful place, and we slept like rocks.
We enjoyed the best pizza ever at Stone & Embers, adjacent to Sun & Cricket. Quickly baked in the wood-fired brick oven, the pizzas were prepared in the Neapolitan style of Italy with the freshest ingredients. The ambience was comfortable and the service attentive. Adjacent to The Madrones is The Brambles, a new and more rustic property that's quickly becoming popular with wedding planners.
The owner, Jim, offered a lot of advice on where to go and what to see. Set among acres upon acres of vineyards, there are, of course, a ton of local wineries, a few of which have tasting rooms on site at The Madrones. Make sure you stop by Smith & Story and give Sandwich, their giant golden-doodle, a nice, long pet. We chose to take a drive out to Mendocino, where we met a local shop owner who had the nicest things to say about The Madrones, and he even had a coffee table book with Sandwich on the cover! Seriously, if you enjoy driving like we do, continue up Highway 128 all the way to the coast. You'll venture alongside a meandering river and through a forest of giant redwoods that tower over the asphalt, creating stunning natural tunnels with dappled sunlight.
We were hoping for a relaxed stay for our anniversary, and that's exactly what we got at The Madrones. Hospitality at its finest! I highly recommend! read more