Gianna's Gem: Stanly Ranch, Auberge Collection, Napa Valley
Where a working ranch, wine country’s beauty and charm, and a world-class spa retreat become an unforgettable experience
Hi there,
Some brands create a very personal response through emotional connection and experiential immersion. For me, the hotel brand that moves me deeply is Auberge. It's where I said "I do," and every Auberge property I've walked into since has carried a little bit of that day with it from the moment of arrival to the finale.
Stanly Ranch, a darling in the Auberge northern California portfolio, exceeded my expectations and delivered an experience that I can’t wait to share with you. My stay was brief, but it was a 10 out of 10 from beginning to end. My only regrets? That my family wasn't with me, and that I couldn't stay longer. I left already planning my return (as I sometimes do at other Auberge properties), and I can honestly say Stanly Ranch is now my favorite Napa property. Here’s why.
First, a little history (because this land has a story).
Stanly Ranch was founded in 1856 by Judge Edward Stanly and is part of Napa's winemaking lore. Today the resort sits on 712 acres of vineyards and ranch land on the southern edge of Napa Valley, right at the crossroads of Napa and Sonoma, framed by 2.5 miles of Napa River frontage and sweeping views of the Mayacamas Mountains. Crowning the hilltop is Gordon Huether's "Infinity" sculpture, which you'll spot from almost everywhere on the property. Like its name, the sculpture changes shape before your eyes from every angle, and invites you to really slow down and take in what infinity means. Grazing deer, rolling vines, hawks coasting overhead creates a scenery that doesn’t feel like a hotel. It feels like you've been invited to a rarified visit on someone's beautiful ranch.
The magic starts before you ever arrive.
This is the part that made the experience designer in me light up. Stanly thinks through the entire guest journey. Well before my stay, the team reached out to confirm every detail and preference so I'd be completely comfortable. The morning of my stay, I received a personal email from my contact with her own insider tips for experiencing the ranch. It opened with a virtual greeting and a wish that she could be there to welcome me in person. That is next-level hospitality, and exactly the kind of care I want my attendees to feel. (And lucky you, I'm sharing her tips in the P.S so read on to the end.)
The little touches that tell you where you are.
Stanly is all about sense of place. A sprig of rosemary waiting by the bed so fresh, you could see the spittle from the local bugs still on it (in a glorious way, not a gross way). My favorite, LMNT electrolytes in the mini bar (my husband always forgets these!). A handwritten welcome note and hand picked crudite from the property’s garden. Cinderella pumpkins as large as I was made this a virtual fairy tale. Chickens to be fed, and vegetables picked right on the ranch that end up on your plate. I'm obsessed with the farm to table experience, but pair that with unparalleled luxury and amenities - next level decadence.
The rooms: spacious, serene, and seriously luxurious.
The cottage-style guestrooms blend modern farmhouse with progressive design, with grand doors that open onto generous private terraces with fire pits and lounge seating. Every time I’d look outside, I spotted something delightful like a quail trotting by. Most cottages include an outdoor shower, plus a yoga mat, meditation cushion, and Theragun, so your room feels like a private extension of the spa. Traveling with a crew? The one- to three-bedroom suites are built for gathering, the two-bedroom Villas come with gourmet kitchens and pantry stocking, and the Vineyard Homes go up to six bedrooms with their own plunge pools.
The wellness: a true destination of its own.
Up on the hill, Halehouse spa is flanked by a spa pool with what may be the most mesmerizing view on the property (go at sunset, trust me). Next door, the Springhouse recovery circuit is pure bliss for anyone who loves a good reset: a cedar sauna, THE largest sauna in Northern America, with wave-shaped stadium seating overlooking a mini vineyard that was so spectacular it moved me to tears as I meditated, a cold plunge, steam room, tepidarium, salt room, and yes, a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. And fitness is not overlooked - Fieldhouse offers daily yoga, Pilates, barre, and HIIT classes that are complimentary for hotel guests, plus personal training and private yoga. I took a yoga mat from the studio and practiced yoga out on the terrace overlooking the property and it was a peak moment.
The food: farm to table, for real.
Because Stanly is a working ranch, the menus here are deeply seasonal and connected to the land. Bear is the heart of it all and will leave you craving dishes like the fire-roasted carrots for days (pro tip, do not pass these up!). Led by Executive Chef Anthony Stagnaro, it's breakfast on the terrace, a buzzy lunch, and convivial dinners built around grilling, fermenting, and Napa ingredients at their peak.
Start your morning at Gavel with Sightglass coffee, fresh-baked pastries, and picnic provisions for the vineyard. Spend the afternoon at Basin Bar, a Provence-style, guests-only spot between the Lavender pool and the kids' pool, with wood-fired pizzas and refreshing wines. And on weekends, The Window in the Village serves up sweet treats and icecream scooped to go.
Ranch life, curated.
What I love about this property is the range. Days here can be as active or as lazy as you like. Hawk walks and falconry, lavender harvesting, botanical cocktail classes at The Grange (hey even have mocktail tasting for kids!), cycling the vineyard roads (they’re even thought to have kid-sized bikes so the whole family can partake - that’s really thinking through the needs of guests). The bikes in all sizes and Mercedes-Benz house cars are included with your stay, which makes it easy to explore wine country without ever thinking about logistics.
Three mountain-view pools round it all out, and the ranch is dog friendly, too so you can bring the whole family. This is where my "next time" plans kicked in. Kids get their own version of ranch life: little sommelier moments, feeding the chickens, touring the farm, bikes to explore, hawk walks, and learning to grow vegetables on the farm. Parents can slip off to wine country while the littles spend the day at Little Ranchers Camp with gardening, art, and movement. There's a dedicated kids' pool, cribs and Pack 'n Plays on request, and the Acre Family Two Room cottage is made for a family of four, with a fire pit on each terrace for s'mores.
For my event planners - here comes the best part:
I cannot wait to bring events here. Stanly Ranch has 135 cottages and suites, more than 17,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor event space, and venues for groups from 8 to 450. It's ideal for a full buyout, so your group gets the whole ranch to themselves. A few spaces I'm obsessed with:
Glasshouse Barn: the showstopper. Panoramic windows over the vineyards, up to 450 guests, 4,532 sq ft, and divisible.
Glasshouse Terrace: welcome receptions overlooking the Lavender pool, with Mayacamas sunsets. Up to 300 guests.
Garden House and the adjoining Cutting Garden: French-inspired flower gardens, a big fireplace, and a manicured lawn. Up to 175 indoors and 300 outdoors.
Lavender Lawn: surrounded by hillsides of lavender and fragrant day and night. Perfect for picnics or evening cocktails for up to 300.
The Grange: dinners, mixology, and cooking classes for up to 40, right in the chef's garden.
Private Dining Room at Bear for up to 20, and The Porch, an eight-person boardroom with its own covered porch.
Layer in team experiences like falconry, plein-air watercolor, lavender harvesting, and garden-to-glass cocktail workshops, plus a team that reaches out to every guest before they arrive, and you have an attendee experience that sells itself. Getting there is easy, too: it's about 50 minutes from the Bay Area and 10 minutes from Napa County Airport, with Oakland, Sacramento, and SFO all within about an hour and a half.
More about Stanly’s meetings and incentives here.
The score: 10/10 easily.
From the natural beauty to the world class wellness, the incredible food and grounds, the luxurious, spacious rooms, and service that's truly unparalleled, there was honestly nothing to complain about. It's Auberge at its best - creating a memorable sense of place you can’t help but rave about.
Want to experience it for yourself or plan an extraordinary event at Stanly? Reach out and I’m happy to make a personal intro to the team or brainstorm with you on how to make an unforgettable experience for you.
P.S. Here are the Pro Tips I'm sharing with you as a bonus
Straight from my contact at Stanly, exactly as she sent them to me the morning of my stay:
"Here are my favorite things for you to try if possible:
Walk up to Infinity Hill under the sculpture, either early morning or at sunrise. It's beautiful and serene and one of the reasons that I love to work here!! Try to look for rocks with words. We often have groups and team members leave their intentions on rocks to start their journey. If you see a tiny white house in the distance, that was the house of Stanly Ranch's original owner, Judge Edward Stanly.
Visit The Grange (near the entrance) and speak with a farmer. Ask farmer Nick and Syd for an impromptu tour and sample some fun delights. One of my favorites is the chocolate mint (if still in season).
Visit Halehouse (especially beautiful at sunset) or arrange a time at Springhouse (cedar sauna).
Bear: Try the sourdough ice cream. I don't even eat ice cream and I LOVE this unique version.
Finally, enjoy the incredible wildlife: hummingbirds, hawks. It's so beautiful and special to be so immersed in nature."
