Fable Sonoma began as an architect's family home. In the mid-1970s, Santa Rosa architect Jacob Lehrer designed the house for his own family of eight and set it on ten forested acres just outside town, under cathedral ceilings and walls of windows that look straight into the trees. It has since been reimagined as a purpose-built retreat center with a clear idea of who it is for: teams on an offsite, wellness and therapy groups, workshop leaders, and families who want to gather with some intention. That focus is what sets it apart from the wine-country rentals around it. The tasting rooms and dining of Santa Rosa, Sonoma Valley and Healdsburg are all within easy reach, yet once the forest closes in, the house feels a long way from any of them.
Rooms
Three kings, one queen, a double with a twin; three baths.
Distinctions
Interiors shaped by neuroscience-informed design for intentional gatherings.
Specialty Offerings
Pool heat by request; concierge books private chefs and massages.
The great room is the heart of a stay, with a stone fireplace, a generous dining table and a chef's kitchen made for cooking as a group. Five bedrooms and a finished lower level sleep ten, and the whole house is wired for sound, from whole-house Sonos to a PA and karaoke setup with wireless microphones. Between sessions, groups drift to the pool, the hot tub and the cedar sauna. Trails wind out to swings, camping hammocks, meadows and panoramic viewpoints, and a ceremony tent with custom lighting stands in for a conference room. About half a mile down a dirt path through the forest, a glamping tent waits for meditation, journaling or a night under canvas. Sturdy shoes help, and after heavy rain the path can turn muddy.
