A Nature State of Mind
Imagine waking up to the serene sounds of nature, watching soft sunlight streaming through the Pacific redwood trees, and breathing crisp, fresh air. Picture yourself taking a leisurely morning stroll through forest trails before your personal chef prepares a meal with vegetables harvested just moments before and eggs still warm from the nearby chicken coop. It’s the perfect start to what promises to be a day filled with rejuvenation and relaxation.
Founder Edward Newell originally wanted NewTree Ranch to be a place to teach people about the origins of their food, but it is much more than that. Newell’s dedication to sustainable living and eco-friendly practices laid the foundation. Still, NewTree goes beyond organic, committed to sourcing the highest quality products, using sustainable farming practices that recycle nutrients and organic matter into the soil, and encouraging bee-friendly habitats to promote pollination.
“We’ve got five new species of bees this year. We’re in flow with the gardens. They’re in flow with us. Everything’s working beautifully,” Newell said.
Edward Newell
Most of the animals at NewTree Ranch are rescues and are now part of the ranch family. Guests can spend time with them, developing healing bonds for both. This experience is a form of therapy, providing another way to connect with nature and foster emotional connections.
The blissful oasis is just minutes outside of Healdsburg in the heart of Sonoma wine country—but you would never know it once there. The 120-acre uber-luxurious retreat accommodates up to twelve guests in two luxury villas on site, ensuring A-list, celebrity-level privacy, offerings, and service. The independently hired staff, including highly trained chefs, yoga and meditation instructors, sound journey guides, masseuses, and instructors for floral design, Wim Hof breathing, ice bathing, forest bathing, kayaking, and paddleboarding, are brought on-site to cater to your every need, ensuring the ultimate in personalized hospitality and comfort.
At NewTree Ranch, you will be spoiled for choice, with experiences like guided yoga sessions on the tranquil shores of Lake Andreas, Wim Hof breathing sessions followed by invigorating ice baths, and a Japanese tea garden to unwind with soothing massages and soaks in a Balinese tub to melt away any lingering stress.
Newell believes in the transformative power of nature and the unique ‘nature state of mind’ concept.
“It’s a state of being and a natural state you get when you’re in nature. To me, wellness is when you start bonding with nature and getting into the flow with it. I call it a nature state of mind.’”
Edward Newell
For the ultimate decadent convenience, arrive by helicopter from local airports to the NewTree grounds. Before landing on the property, the helicopter will fly over the rugged northern California coast and the Pacific Redwoods. Other amenities include a solar-heated pool, outdoor bathtubs, a luxury glamping tent, and wine-tasting outings in the ranch’s Tesla Model X.
As the stars begin to twinkle, the day concludes around a crackling campfire where marshmallows roast to golden perfection. Back in your villa, sink into Frette sheets that have been carefully ironed and are free of chemicals, with a sachet of lavender on your pillow to lull you to a restful sleep.
NewTree Ranch is located at 3600 Wallace Creek Road outside Healdsburg, California, and accepts reservations for long and short-term retreats. Prices start at $2000 per night for the two-bedroom Barn Villa and $5000 for the four-bedroom Estate Villa. www.newtreeranch.com.
ABOUT LAYNE RANDOLPH
While living in Italy for nearly a decade, Layne was legal counsel for Fendi in Rome and, as a side gig, a freelance travel writer. After relocating to Sonoma County, California, she dusted off her journalism degree to craft stories full-time as Roma to Sonoma. She’s led readers into the cellars and vineyards of hundreds of wine brands as a copywriter and contributor to publications such as Wine Enthusiast, AFAR, Napa Valley Life, Haute Living San Francisco, and Decanter. She is a 2022 and 2023 fellowship recipient of the Professional Wine Writers Symposium. She is pursuing an Advanced Level 3 wine certification from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and is a certified Napa Valley Wine Specialist through the Napa Valley Wine Academy. She focuses on travel and wine and dreams of places to add to the five continents, 50 US states, and 51 countries she has explored.