The Gables Wine Country Inn has been owned by Larry and Pam since 2013, who have added a vineyard, gardens, and decks to the property since they became the proprietors. The property was originally homesteaded by a family from Iowa who turned the land into a cattle ranch. The Cottage and barn are the oldest edifices on the premises, built-in 1850. The business was eventually converted into a bed and breakfast, offering a total of nine rooms for guests to reserve. Breakfast is provided every day by the owners, with some of the food items being grown on the 3.5 acres of property or purchased from local farmers in the area. The establishment is located in Santa Rosa, California, where there are hundreds of wineries in the area. Other common attractions include the beach, hikes, and museums. The inn is open year-round, but it is busiest during the fall when the weather cools down.
The Gables Wine Country Inn is located in Santa Rosa, California, on three and a half acres of land and has a total of nine rooms available for reservations, allowing a total of 16 guests on the premises at any given time. One of the units, the Cottage, is treated more like an Air BnB property. The rooms are named and decorated in a relatively unique manner, as for example, the Parlor Room was named after the lady’s parlor that was there when the edifice was first built. The Library Room was named after the fact that during the 60s and 70s, the building was used as a library. One of the most popular rooms, according to Larry, one of the owners, is the Parlor room due to it being the largest room and the Italian marble fireplace inside. The Milkhouse room is the only unit with a kitchenette attached to it.
The only common room in the building is the parlor, a general sitting area available for patrons; there are additional sitting areas outside of the main building. A relatively large deck is attached to the back of the house, where there is also a deck with a fire pit surrounded by five redwood trees that are over 120 feet tall. Additionally, there is a vineyard with a pavilion that includes an outdoor kitchen and a sitting area with a firepit. Patrons can roam the 3.5 acres of land and walk through the lavender fields and gardens located on the premises. There is also a barn on the property that is often used for events such as receptions, birthday parties, and corporate events, with a max occupancy of 50 people. The business has two barn owls that have taken residence on the property, which has become a draw for many visitors.
The inn uses the fresh produce grown on their land when making breakfast for the guests. Breakfast at The Gables Wine Country Inn is a three-course meal, including bread, fruit, and an entrée. Breakfast has been one of the most popular features of the inn, according to Larry, who also says one of the most notable dishes is the breakfast BLT, which has roasted tomato and a poached egg, as well as their squash soufflé. Breakfast is served every day at 9:00 AM in the dining room. During the reservation process, the owners will ask if there are any dietary needs or restrictions and reconfirm needs when visitors to the inn arrive. The establishment sells a cookbook that most of their recipes are located in that visitors are able to purchase and take home with them.
Events and activities that are often hosted at The Gables Wine Country Inn include weddings, retirement packages, bridal and baby showers, birthday parties, business meetings, and memorial services. The establishment is able to accommodate up to 50 people during these events.
One of the things the property does not provide is a TV in hopes of gearing the atmosphere of the inn towards couples who are looking to get away. Larry says that there is constant interaction with guests based on their preferences during their stay. The most frequent interactions include drinking a glass of wine together on the deck. According to Larry, the culture of the inn is one of immersing yourself in the food and wine of the surrounding area. Larry says that one way the establishment aids in this culture is from buying produce and wine from local farmers to provide “an all-encompassing experience for the guests.” One guest has remarked, “We had a lovely time at the inn; the house itself is historic and very well kept. Larry and Pam were both warm and professional and seemed to have thought of all the details.”
Some policies to note while staying at the inn include no smoking inside the buildings, however, guests can smoke outdoors if they choose. Additionally, no pets are allowed to stay at the business in an effort to preserve the cleanliness of the inn. Similarly, quiet time starts at 10 PM every evening. There are also reservation policies that can be located on the business’s website. The business is open year-round, with the busiest season falling between mid-August to mid-November. During this time, the harvest is happening, and the wine country in the area has become more popular due to the better weather as well.
Santa Rosa, California, draws visitors from all over with activities such as going to the beach, hiking, and the wineries. There are hundreds of wineries in the surrounding location; some wineries include Benovia, Ampola Creek, Croix Estate, and B. Wise Winery. Other recommendations that Larry often gives his patrons are to hike or zipline the Redwoods, kayaking, and canoeing on the Russian River, fish, a visit to the Charles Schwalts Museum, and riding in a hot air balloon. The area is also known for the wide venue of artists that have come to perform. When visitors are looking for a place to eat in the surrounding area, Larry recommends they try Ca’Bianca, Willi’s Wine Bar, and Jackson’s Bar and Oven, which are the restaurants closest to the inn.
The property of The Gables Wine Country Inn was originally a Native American reservation then was later settled by a couple from Ohio in the 1850s. They originally purchased 300 acres of land and became cattle ranchers, where they raised seven children in The Cottage, which was built in the 1850s, as well as the barn and the outhouse that is still located on the premises. The edifice that is now the inn wasn’t built until 1877 when the couple’s last child was born. The buildings are currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Gables Wine Country Inn has been owned by Larry and Pam since June 2012. The establishment has been active in the lodging industry since 1989. Larry and Pam were on vacation and stayed at a bed and breakfast and realized they wanted to own an establishment of their own, which led them to purchase The Gables Wine Country Inn. Since doing so, Larry has found the most satisfaction in meeting different people who come to their property and creating relationships with the visitors. The owners have added the vineyard, solar panels, pavilion, and deck to the property. Overall, Larry says that he and Pam have found success in their business through their attention to detail and adding their personal touch to the business.
4257 Petaluma Hill Road
Santa Rosa, California 95404
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Larry and Pam
