Healdsburg, California’s Honor Mansion

One of the 10 Most Romantic Inns in America

by Marian Betancourt

When Dr. Herbert Honor bought his Italianate style Victorian mansion on Grove Street in Healdsburg, California in the late 1800s, he probably did not imagine that a century later it would become one of the most romantic inns in America, complete with elegant vineyard suites, gourmet breakfasts, and garden paths. Dr. Honor’s neighbors, European immigrants such as Francesco Passalacqua, Edoardo Seghesio and S.P. Hallengren, came to this same town to plant grapevines and make wine in the New World. Today, descendants of those farmers are making outstanding wines in this gateway to the Dry Creek, Alexander and Russian River valleys, in Sonoma County. Honor Mansion is the place to stay for a visit to wine country.

Innkeepers Steve and Cathi Fowler fell in love with Dr. Honor’s house and bought it from his family in 1994 to begin their own new life, not far from where they fell in love as high school sweethearts. When they married, Steve’s corporate job took them to many other places while their family grew. However, their own extensive travel shaped their ideas for a luxury resort inn where the romantic spirit is alive and well. Over the years they have renovated and expanded, doing the work themselves. The Mansion itself operates as a bed and breakfast with five suites upstairs. Then nestled around the property are several other accommodations including the Garden Suite, Poolside Suite, and the Tower Suite. There is a secluded Squire’s Cottage near the koi pond. Four Vineyard Suites, with trellised back yard and covered Jacuzzi, face a field of grapevines.Place Jacuzzi photo here

Cathi Fowler is a passionate decorator and when you stay here you feel as though you are in the pages of a sophisticated home and garden magazine. Each suite, or cottage is individually decorated.  And while they are sublimely comfortable and luxurious, with Egyptian linens and top line toiletries, they are also interesting. You may find yourself exploring your suite wondering where they got the floor to ceiling mirror with rococo frame; or the glass pedestal table by the window where you can enjoy your morning coffee. Each item, from the clock to the basket that holds your pocket change each night, to the vase of flowers to the cut glass decanter of sherry, has been chosen with care and will add to your appreciation. The beautiful Italian tiles in the double shower in the Vineyard Suites were installed by Steve.

As they renovated and decorated, Cathi and Steve spent at least one night sleeping in each suite to be sure it felt right. For example is the tiny lamp near the entry giving just the right amount of light to see with if you get up in the night but not enough to keep you awake? Is the angle of the bed as well as the couch conducive to watching the TV if desired? This type of attention to detail is what makes Honor Mansion so exceptional. And one of the reasons it has been rated among the top ten most romantic inns in America for eight years, according to guidebook publishers of American Historic Inns, Inc.

Each morning a basket with coffee (or tea) and a fresh-baked pastry is left at your door so you can enjoy it whenever you wake up. A gourmet breakfast buffet is available from 8 to 10 am in the Mansion. The menu changes daily with offerings such as the Mansion’s signature eggs Benedict or spice pancakes with fresh lemon sauce. Breakfast can be enjoyed in the dining room or out on the tree-shaded deck over the koi pond, or you can take it on a tray back to your suite.

In the afternoon from 4 to 6 pm, taste some local wines with canapés and cheese in the Mansion. A complimentary cappuccino machine is also available there 24 hours a day. And should you want some milk and cookies before retiring, just ask.

The romance carries over to the grounds. There are many secret sitting spots among the rose and herb gardens and fountains where you can relax or read or even meditate. Take a stroll hand in hand along the garden paths. The region’s Italian heritage is celebrated with a bocce ball court. There is a putting green, tennis court, basketball hoop, jogging track, swimming pool, and full croquet court.

There’s room for only 26 guests at a time in this small inn, so book early, especially during the fall wine harvest, the busiest time. The rates from $220 to $550 depend on room or suite, availability and season.  This includes everything, so you won’t need to put out more money for so called “extras,” often added in other inns, such as parking and bottled water.

On the other side of Grove Street visit the Seghesio Family Winery, operated by ten members of the family of the original farmer, Edoardo Seghesio.  On Lambert Road, Jason Passalacqua, the great grandson of Francesco Passalacqua, carries on the family winery tradition.  On Dry Creek Road Clay Mauritson operates the family winery started by his great great-great grandfather S. P. Hallengren, the rare Swede among Italians, who pioneered the famous rock pile region along an active fault line with a microclimate that produces exceptional grapes.

Healdsburg celebrated its 150th birthday last year with a giant cake prepared by The Costeaux French Bakery, which opened 1923 as The French American Bakery. Current owners Nancy and Karl Seppi have retained its French roots and prize-winning breads and pastries. The bakery is now managed by their son William Seppi, who like his high school classmates, Clay Mauritson and Jason Passalacqua, left home for college and to pursue his fortune elsewhere but came back to honor their hometown roots.

Healdsburg isn’t as touristy as nearby Napa County. Here, you are in a real town with shops, restaurants, and book stores—even a wine library--all built around a park-like square of greenery. This is an ideal place for a romantic weekend getaway—or even a midweek break.

www.honormansion.com, www.seghesio.com, www.passalacquawinery.com, www.maritsonwines.com, www.costeaux