Appellation Healdsburg
With a desire to create a deeply immersive expression of Sonoma’s flavors, landscape, and culture, Appellation Healdsburg owners partnered with the brand and design visionaries at EDG around a simple and soulful philosophy: exceptional hospitality begins with honoring the land and celebrating the artisans who bring it to life.
In charming Healdsburg, where Sonoma County’s small-town ease meets refined wine country living, Appellation founders Charlie Palmer and Chris Hunsberger envisioned their flagship culinary hotel as an authentic extension of the region’s agrarian roots. Every detail would have a meaningful connection to the place.
Architect John Hill embraced this philosophy from the outset, with designer Matt Vuolo of EDG translating it into a richly layered environment. “Appellation is a culinary-focused brand with design at its core,” Matt noted. “The John Hill-designed campus plan and brand framework informed the project at every scale.”
The result is what Matt calls “purposeful luxury,” elegant and approachable. A restaurant experience attuned to gastronomy and wine culture alongside a hotel where foodie travelers, families with children, and even four-legged companions feel equally at ease.
Rather than a traditional lobby, guests arrive directly into a contemporary great room anchored by a glowing fireplace, at once grand and intimate. Designed to accommodate everything from intimate tastings to full-property events, flexibility was essential. “We have a beautiful concrete tile floor,” Vuolo explained, “and because of its natural variation, the chairs need to move effortlessly across it – lightweight without compromising stability.”
After evaluating 35 options, the team selected Sossego pieces. Rooted in the legacy of Brazilian modern design, Sossego’s sculptural forms, expressive joinery, and reverence for natural materials had impressed Matt on other projects. The Appellation group experienced them in situ, moving them throughout the space before reaching unanimous agreement: the pieces aligned seamlessly with Appellation’s ethos. Matt said, “They’re not only beautiful, but comfortable, sturdy, and timeless. Guests can stay seated through a two- to three-hour tasting menu and still be wowed by the chair’s beauty.”
At Folia Bar & Kitchen by chef Charlie Palmer, guests settle into Angela Armchairs and Duda stools, distinguished by their three-quarter-length arms. “You still have a place to maybe rest your elbows, but it’s not a full arm that kind of blocks you in at the bar. Bars, you want them to be a little bit more open and inviting, so you can be closer to your neighbors and not feel like you’re stuck in there”.
In the guest rooms, warm woods, soft textiles, and custom finishes create a sanctuary layered with modern Brazilian influence, featuring the Pitu Lounge Chair, the Guadalupe Lounge Chair, the Lily Stool, and the Gisele Balanço. Taking advantage of Sossego’s COM capabilities, Matt tailored selections to complement each space, while higher-end suites extend the experience outdoors with loungers, dining chairs, rockers, and Guilherme Wentz side tables set against Sonoma’s open skies.
Throughout the property, Matt achieved a quiet throughline that anchors the narrative of Appellation Healdsburg itself – a destination where terroir, design, and hospitality converge.
Appellation Healdsburg
With a desire to create a deeply immersive expression of Sonoma’s flavors, landscape, and culture, Appellation Healdsburg owners partnered with the brand and design visionaries at EDG around a simple and soulful philosophy: exceptional hospitality begins with honoring the land and celebrating the artisans who bring it to life.
In charming Healdsburg, where Sonoma County’s small-town ease meets refined wine country living, Appellation founders Charlie Palmer and Chris Hunsberger envisioned their flagship culinary hotel as an authentic extension of the region’s agrarian roots. Every detail would have a meaningful connection to the place.
Architect John Hill embraced this philosophy from the outset, with designer Matt Vuolo of EDG translating it into a richly layered environment. “Appellation is a culinary-focused brand with design at its core,” Matt noted. “The John Hill-designed campus plan and brand framework informed the project at every scale.”
The result is what Matt calls “purposeful luxury,” elegant and approachable. A restaurant experience attuned to gastronomy and wine culture alongside a hotel where foodie travelers, families with children, and even four-legged companions feel equally at ease.
Rather than a traditional lobby, guests arrive directly into a contemporary great room anchored by a glowing fireplace, at once grand and intimate. Designed to accommodate everything from intimate tastings to full-property events, flexibility was essential. “We have a beautiful concrete tile floor,” Vuolo explained, “and because of its natural variation, the chairs need to move effortlessly across it – lightweight without compromising stability.”
After evaluating 35 options, the team selected Sossego pieces. Rooted in the legacy of Brazilian modern design, Sossego’s sculptural forms, expressive joinery, and reverence for natural materials had impressed Matt on other projects. The Appellation group experienced them in situ, moving them throughout the space before reaching unanimous agreement: the pieces aligned seamlessly with Appellation’s ethos. Matt said, “They’re not only beautiful, but comfortable, sturdy, and timeless. Guests can stay seated through a two- to three-hour tasting menu and still be wowed by the chair’s beauty.”
At Folia Bar & Kitchen by chef Charlie Palmer, guests settle into Angela Armchairs and Duda stools, distinguished by their three-quarter-length arms. “You still have a place to maybe rest your elbows, but it’s not a full arm that kind of blocks you in at the bar. Bars, you want them to be a little bit more open and inviting, so you can be closer to your neighbors and not feel like you’re stuck in there”.
In the guest rooms, warm woods, soft textiles, and custom finishes create a sanctuary layered with modern Brazilian influence, featuring the Pitu Lounge Chair, the Guadalupe Lounge Chair, the Lily Stool, and the Gisele Balanço. Taking advantage of Sossego’s COM capabilities, Matt tailored selections to complement each space, while higher-end suites extend the experience outdoors with loungers, dining chairs, rockers, and Guilherme Wentz side tables set against Sonoma’s open skies.
Throughout the property, Matt achieved a quiet throughline that anchors the narrative of Appellation Healdsburg itself – a destination where terroir, design, and hospitality converge.
