Reviews for Healdsburg Vacation Rental - VRBO 212357ha - 3 BR Russian River House in CA, Classic Riverfront Retreat, Romantic Views, Vaulted Great Room

Great views of Russian River

Guest Steve M.
Date of stay 09/12/12
Review Submitted 11/05/12

My family and I had a great time at this rustic cabin located right on the Russian river. The views were wonderful, we enjoyed the kyacks and hot tub, and the proximity to Healdsburg was a definite plus. We had some concerns with the grill, but they were reponsive to the problem. All was well until we didn't get our security deposit, which was supposed to be returned to us within 15 days. After 3 weeks of broken promises that our check was in the mail, I finally contacted the Better Business Bureau about our situation, and we then, finally, received our check four days later. Needless to say, this ruined a great family vacation and has left our with a negative feeling for the owners. this is no way to run a business, we would never rent from these folks again!

Recommended for: Age 55+

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Wonderful view and stay

Guest Steve M.
Date of stay 09/12/12
Review Submitted 11/05/12

My family and I had a great time at this rustic cabin on the Russian River. We enjoyed the hot tub, kayacks, great views and proximity to downtown Healdsburg. We had a few concerns with the grill, but they were responsive in fixing them for us. The problem came when it was time for our security deposit to be returned. The owners were continually putting us off with promises that the check was in the mail, until after waiting 5 weeks, I contacted the Better Business Bureau about the problem, then we received the check within 4 days? What an awful way to run a business, we would never rent from them again! Hard to believe I had to fight with them for 3 weeks until finally receiving our security deposit.

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Rustic charm

Guest jengreenwood
Date of stay 04/08/11
Review Submitted 04/18/11

I live in the Bay Area and love to take long weekend escapes in wine country. For the longest time I have been trying to find an authentic vintage cottage experience. Well, I finally found it! The living and dining room areas were the best part. We lounged there for hours on the big couches . Also, the place is huge. I recommend it for 2-3 couples who want a relaxing vacation in wine country.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers

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Wonderful Rustic lodge, perfect location

Guest Hersh
Date of stay 03/20/11
Review Submitted 03/26/11

Although the unseasonably cool wet weather marred our recent stay, the spacious, inviting lodge on the Russian River more than made up for it. The lodge is exactly as described, was spotless, and everything fully functional. The place is rustic, but loaded with charm and just enough modern amenities (hot tub, wireless internet). Location is perfect for wineries and quick trips into Healdsburg. Would stay there again in a heartbeat and recommend fully. This is our second time renting from Lisa and both experiences have been exceptional.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

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Wine country happiness

Guest pat
Date of stay 10/10/10
Review Submitted 10/19/10

The home is very comfortable with a beautiful location overlooking the river. Home has lots of charm and is conveniently located close to town and with easy access to the wineries.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sightseeing.

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Beautiful house in an wonderful location

Guest mnaught
Date of stay 07/05/10
Review Submitted 07/24/10

We recently stayed at the Old River Lodge with family friends. Together we had children ranging in age from 5 to 10). The house is lovely, well maintained and in an unbeatable location. We enjoyed swimming in the river, using the kayaks and watching the world drift by. River access is easy but the cement dock can't accommodate many people and the dirt covering it insures that you are good and dirty upon returning to the house. Still...the set up and proximity to town are hard to beat. I'd highly recommend this home to anyone looking for a river getaway.

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Lovely home in a wonderful spot

Guest mnaught
Date of stay 07/05/10
Review Submitted 07/24/10

We recently stayed at the Old River Lodge with family friends. Together we had children ranging in age from 5 to 10). The house is lovely, well maintained and in an unbeatable location. We enjoyed swimming in the river, using the kayaks and watching the world drift by. River access is easy but the cement dock can't accommodate many people and the dirt covering it insures that you are good and dirty upon returning to the house. Still...the set up and proximity to town are hard to beat. I'd highly recommend this home to anyone looking for a river getaway.

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Quaint and perfect!

Guest Easter Visitors
Date of stay 04/02/10
Review Submitted 04/18/10

My family (5 of us) spent Easter weekend at the Old River Lodge. The house was just as it was described. The family room had comfy leather sofas and a contemporary fireplace. There is a unique antique door that has a lot of character. The lot is tiny, as are all of the lots on the river, but the verticality of the design of the house with three deck levels created a sense of spaciousness and privacy. We enjoyed the hot tub even in the rain while enjoying the wonderful view of the river. Healdsburg, just a couple miles away, is a charming town with plenty of shops and restaurants. We were very close to hundreds of wineries. Too bad for us that we were a little early for fishing and river activities. Summer would be perfect.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

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Girls' Barrel Tasting Weekend

Guest Pattie from Carlsbad
Date of stay 03/04/10
Review Submitted 03/18/10

The 5 of us came up from North County San Diego for a relaxing Girl's Barrel Tasting Weekend in March. The Old River Lodge had lots of room for us! We each had our own comfortable bed with lots of linens. The house had a good kitchen, great patio and views, nice BBQ and kept very clean. Thank you for a great time!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.

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awesome overall experience

Guest floridaALI
Date of stay 02/16/10
Review Submitted 02/26/10

The customer service provided by Wine Country Lodges was outstanding. The pictures of the river view really don't do it justice - it's even better in person. I found sitting out on any of the 3 patios an extremely enjoyable "vacation experience." Because we live in a suburban area very near the ocean in Florida - we were looking for something a little different - and this river lodge was perfect. The property had a rustic lodge feel (which we really enjoyed although realize it may not be appealing to other travelers who are used to granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and plush carpeting). We had a mini family reunion at the lodge with 3 generations coming together from all over the country. We found the property plenty roomy enough for the 6 adults and 2 babies. it was nice that there were doors that closed off both sets of stairways so that it made the house more baby-friendly (for babies between crawling and opening door stage). There was even a baby gate, pack and play, and highchair on site! There were a few inconviences but nothing that should deter someone from staying there: there's no onsite laundry (but there is a free offsite service), and the parking and access to the road is a little precarious. It's also important to understand that the neighbors' houses are VERY close (arm's reach away) therefore it is not appropriate to make a large amount of outdoor noise. So this is not a house for partying on the deck after dark. One of our favorite things was that the property had a rural view/feel but yet it was a VERY short drive into town. It really was not far at all to get to the multitude of wineries that are west of Healdsburg. Overall, we highly recommend this property and Wine Country Lodges. If we make the trek to Sonoma County again - we are very likely to stay in the River Lodge again.

Recommended for: Romantic getaway

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Great stay at The Old River Lodge

Guest From the central valley
Date of stay 11/20/09
Review Submitted 11/24/09

An A Frame cabin/house directly on the Russian River. A great view of the river from three decks. The property was as described and will sleep 4 couples comfortably. An extra single bed is in the master bedroom downstairs. Convienent to downtown Healdsburg and the surrounding wineries. We would rent this property again without hesitation as well as consider one of the other three properties for future family get togethers. I would recommend that you rent this property and go enjoy this beautiful area of California.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, sightseeing.

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Wine Country Retreat

Guest Rocky Michael
Date of stay 09/10/09
Review Submitted 10/13/09

All aspects of this lodging was much more than it was billed. The property was mell maintained, clean and most importantly private. We could not have chosen a better location . The Russian River in the back yard with wonderful accomodations, Clean, comfortable and quiet. For those who have not been to this part of California you are close to many wineries and eateries, not to mention the back drop of the landscape. The food at Zin, Sopa, Willys's Wine Bar and Raw Bar was fab. We also dined at Syrah Bistro , a treat. And for the adventurer head out to Jenner to the Rivers End. WOW! Do yourself a favor and check out Acorn Winery and Amphora ! We celebrated 3 birthdays while we were there and they will be remembered for a long time. These folks have done it right! They give you a wonderful place to rest and re-charge at the end of a fun packed day. Don't be afraid to stay there and just soak it all in. WE all would return in a heart beat! Do yourself a favor and go. From: The four happy campers.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers

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Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 08/29/09
Review Submitted 08/29/09

Very clean and comfortable, though my bed in the upstairs green room was harder than I'm used to. Great spot on the river and we had a wonderful time!

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Frustrating experience

Guest kcousins20
Date of stay 08/26/09
Review Submitted 09/01/09

The views are beautiful and the owner responsive to our complaints. But those are the only positive things one can say about this rental experience. We felt that the house and property are much more rustic than described. The steep path to the dock beach was overgrown with bee-infested weeds, requiring river users to race through the brush to make it to the water safely. There were cob webs everywhere and insufficient dishes for a house that accomodates 9. The air-conditioning should not be advertised since only part of the house is air-conditioned - the hot upstairs bedrooms are not. And, this is definitely NOT a kid-friendly property. Finally, there is no washer/dryer, which is a must with any house. Lacking this basic amenity made it a very difficult stay. Overall, we would tell renters to use extreme caution if they are thinking about this place. We would never stay here again.

Owner response: We're very pleased when guests enjoy the Old River Lodge as much as we do, as we put a lot of thought and effort into making it enjoyable for them. These guests mentioned the beautiful view, and we agree! That's what led us to buy the classic old river property three years ago. It was old and quirky, but quaint and charming at the same time. We thought the trade offs were worth the effort, believing that there would be guests, like us, who would find charm and enjoy the unique experience of staying in an authentic, 1930's, knotty pine structure. We've tried to provide creature comforts without modernizing in a way that destroys character. We have much we intend to do, and are on a schedule of planned improvements. In July, we had a new flight of steps installed in the beach area, with another small area of steps to the dock will be replaced shortly. We also had the entire beach area cleared of vegetation this summer. A cluster of flowers recently sprung up, however, attracting bees. These guests called us to tell us of their concern, and we immediately responded, and sent someone that day to remove the offending flowers. We must apologize about the unexpected heat wave during their stay. Heat is not normally an issue, but daytime highs were in the hundreds. This home does not have a washer and dryer, and we do not advertise that it does. What we do offer is a free wash and fold service, with pick up and delivery to the door. Regarding children, we verbally tell our customers, and include disclaimers in our rental agreement, letting guests know that the home is not child proof, as it located on a steep bank above the Russian River and is over 3 1/2 stories tall. We also inform our guests in writing about the "rural realities" to be expected in a wooded environment. The natural habitat of spiders, etc., is right outside the door. We clear cob webs as fast as we see them appear. With every inquiry about this property we direct guests to our WineCountryLodges company website to view more than 80 photos of this property, and read extensive information to determine its suitability for their needs. We try, also, to be responsive to all of our guests' needs. If at any time a guest is in short of any item a phone call to us will have us making an immediate delivery. While a rustic 1930's retreat might not have been right for these guests, we trust that many others will enjoy experiencing this unique blend of old time charm and gorgeous views.

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Guest Cheryl47
Date of stay 08/19/09
Review Submitted 08/19/09

What a fabulous weekend! The Old River Lodge was the perfect location for our "girls getaway" weekend. Six of us (old high school pals) met at the Old River Lodge for a weekend of fun and relaxation. We were all extremely happy with our choice. From the moment I booked our reservation, Lisa and Jill were as nice as could be and were very accommodating. Thank you for your wonderful hospitality! We hope we can all stay at the lodge again. Until then, I will always remember the fantastic Russian River views! Wow!

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Guest Reen
Date of stay 08/04/09
Review Submitted 08/04/09

Had a wonderful stay. House was really lovely & lived up to & exceeded online description & photos. River location could not be beat, with fantastic views. Loved the serene mornings & evenings on the various decks just relaxing & watching all the wildlife. Would definitely stay again & highly reccommend.

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Guest Jon M.
Date of stay 06/16/09
Review Submitted 06/16/09

We had a great 3 night stay at the Old River Lodge. The property was very convenient to the multitudes of vineyards that we visited while in Sonoma County and close enough to Healdsburg that we could easily manage getting to and from restaurants and stores. We had two couples staying there, so the layout was perfect for us (one couple was able to stay in the master downstairs and one couple in the river room upstairs) giving us more than enough space, but also the chance for some privacy. The house itself was well maintained and nice for our group. The hot tub was fabulous and the river (while chilly) was nice for swimming a bit. While we didn't use the kitchen for more than light breakfast and snacks, it seemed more than adequate for a vacation rental. We'd definitely recommend the property!

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Guest Carole6
Date of stay 05/23/09
Review Submitted 05/23/09

What a lovely house and what a great time we had. Our daughter had just received her master's from the Art Institute of SF and we needed some quite time after a hectic week (art shows, graduation, parties, etc.) This was exactly what we needed. The house was rustic, but very clean. The scenery was gorgeous. My son wanted to fish and since the info said fishing poles included and there were none, he called and had necessary equipment delievered in a VERY short time. Thank you. My daughter and daughter-in-law and I went wine tasting and had a very good time. Try the Wiliamson Wine shop in town; it is an amazing experience; none other like it. This is a fantastic house for a family and our grandchildren (ages 4 and 8) would have loved it. I would suggest that if you have a very large group that tends to get very noisy, likes loud music, etc. this is not the place for you. Hot tub and music on the deck must be turned off at 10pm. However, for a more mature group, this house is great. We hope to go back in the near future.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 01/01/09
Review Submitted 01/11/09

Fabulous!, January 12, 2009 My brother's family and mine (a total of 7 people)stayed here in late December. We loved the glorious river views, and the quiet, peaceful setting. There was lots of space for us all to spread out. The kitchen, dining room and living room, as well as the 2 decks were all great spaces for family gathering. The hot tub, kayaks and comfortable hammock on the deck all lent themselves to vacation relaxation. The beds were all comfortable as were the cozy comforters. The house is well appointed, but casual. Its location is fairly close to the charming trown of Healdsburg. The house met our expectaions and more!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 11/01/08
Review Submitted 11/23/08

What a wonderful retreat! My girlfriends and I had a terrific weekend sipping wine on the deck, relaxing in the hot tub and playing Scrabble around the fire. Great common areas and lovely bedrooms. What a treat!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Tom & Ali
Date of stay 10/01/08
Review Submitted 10/26/08

You could have put a shack on this piece of land and I would have still flown from Cape Cod to stay in it. The house is really lovely--the setting is something out of Conde Nast Traveler. Clean, spacious, cozy, everything worked very well--good hot water, stong pressure, cold fridge--all the worries you get from rentals are not a factor here. Most of all the real treat was the bed we slept in was more comfortable then our bed at home (and we have a killer bed!)--What a bonus that was! The girls loved their nightly hot tub soak in front of the burning yellow, reds & purples of the sunsets. The proximity to town is perfection.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 10/01/08
Review Submitted 10/25/08

What a place! We came to Sonoma to unwind and enjoy the wine country with friends and The Old River Lodge was the perfect home base to do it all. Comfortable, great location, wonderful view of the river. We loved it.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 05/01/08
Review Submitted 05/26/08

Our reason to be in Wine Country was the celebration of my sisters 50th birthday. The 4 sisters and mom stayed at the Old River Lodge and loved it. The river is so peaceful, the hot tub wonderful, the beds comfortable and most important, the living room was a great place to sit and talk. We did not want a traditional hotel where it would be difficult for us to gather and share our lives. The private home was perfect. The furnishings are lovely. Thank you so much for a wonderful stay, Julie Williamson

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 05/01/08
Review Submitted 05/21/08

Everything was even better than we imagined it would be. We had everything we needed and had a wonderful time celebrating our 40th anniversary with our children and grandchildren. The scenery was beautiful and location great for doing lots of things to do. Thanks for making our visit a memorable experience.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 05/01/08
Review Submitted 05/15/08

I rented this property for a family reunion in May, 2008. It is always difficult to get a feel for a property over the internet, but let me just say that everyone LOVED it here! The location is perfect: Close to Healdsburg Bar and Grill (the BEST hamburgers and garlic/truffle french fries to die for) and shopping, but far enough away that we definitely had a feeling of having an entire lodge to ourselves. We had four children with us, ages ranging from 2 yrs to 10 yrs, and they were running all over the place, with no problems on the stairs (you can close the upstairs off with a door, and there were child-proof fences provided on location), but they learned quickly to go down the stairs on their bums. We all went Kayaking--what a blast and the water was warm enough for swimming and enjoying. 2 Kayaks and intertubes were provided, along with 4 life jackets. The best part is that we never really felt the need to leave. The kitchen IS REALLY fully stocked, including food that had recently been left behind, unopened. (We left some, also!) There were games for every age level, and the layout is just perfect to give adults total privacy on the top level, and kids totally great times in the game room on the bottom level. The hot tub was a huge hit after a hard day of lounging in the hammock! I got up a couple of mornings early and caught pictures of deer crossing the Russian River, and there were tons of birds, so bring your binoculars. We even spotted a Great Blue Heron! The mist coming off of the river in the morning is worth getting up for! From the second and third level balconies, the view was so good we could see very large fish swimming in the river! We took about 300 pictures and enjoyed our stay so much, we are already planning on booking the same place for next year. YOU WILL TRULY HATE TO SAY GOODBYE!

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Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 11/28/06
Review Submitted 11/27/06

The house was exactly what we'd hoped for, providing a desparately needed, comfortable break from our stressed-out lives. The management was seamless -- all the info we needed, when we needed it; plenty of amenities; and everything well-maintained. We will definitely look forward to coming back! - Anonymous, Kentfield, CA

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Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Suejin K.
Date of stay 10/02/06
Review Submitted 10/01/06

Old River Lodge was a wonderful place to stay for the weekend! My family and I stayed there during my wedding weekend. It was so nice to relax in the hot tub and be away from all the activity and chaos that was occurring at the hotel. The house was extremely clean and the location perfect for a weekend of relaxation. It was close enough to downtown to be able to quickly run errands if needed. My sister stated that we should instead have the wedding at the house instead of at the vineyard b/c it was such a serene atmosphere! -Suejin K., San Francisco, CA

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Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Janet P.
Date of stay 09/18/06
Review Submitted 09/17/06

We booked our stay at The Old River Lodge because my son was getting married in Healdsburg. We could not have made a better choice. The house was lovely and accommodated me and my family members very comfortably. The kids especially had fun on the beach and in the hot tub. Thanks so much for making an already enjoyable event even more memorable. - Janet P., Park City, UT

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Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Marcia S.
Date of stay 09/03/06
Review Submitted 09/02/06

We loved our stay at The Old River Lodge, and it was hard to go home at the end. The house suited us perfectly and we were very comfortable. We hope to return for another visit very soon! - Marcia S., Carmel, CA

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Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Nora M.
Date of stay 07/23/06
Review Submitted 07/22/06

The house and furnishings were rustic and beautiful. The views from the many decks were great. We had a wonderful weekend in the wine country and at the house. - Nora M., San Jose, CA

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Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Nina M.
Date of stay 07/07/06
Review Submitted 07/06/06

This property provided a wonderful environment for a family vacation which included parents, two grown children and their spouses. We felt safe and left the windows open all night to enjoy the cool air. We loved waking up to the early morning fog along the river. We took morning walks and found all the neighbors we met to be friendly as well as all the people we met in town. The house design provided privacy to all of us, comfortable beds, was newly furnished and clean. We particularly enjoyed having the gas grill, new hot tub, the hammock, and the two kayaks to use on the river. We combined eating out with cooking some meals at home and found the kitchen to be well equiped. Staying here gave us the proximity to the vineyards plus options to do a variety of other things. Our entire family would highly recommend this property. - Nina M., Yorktown, VA

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Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Wine Country Lodges
Date of stay 05/08/06
Review Submitted 05/07/06

Welcome! We are pleased to announce the opening of one of our newest properties, The Old River Lodge, located at the foot of Fitch Mountain in Healdsburg's historic Russian River resort district. (just under 2 miles from the Spanish-style plaza in the heart of Sonoma County Wine Country).A year-round getaway only 70 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco, in an area known for its ideal climate, picturesque vineyards, towering redwoods, spectacular coastal beaches, and the Russian River. We welcome you to come enjoy this home's rustic decor... a charming river retreat perfect for family gatherings, an ideal “home away from home” for those attending wine country weddings, and a great destination for a weekend getaways wtih good friends. This comfortable riverfront vacation home is warm and inviting and has a large lodge-style great room. The riverview deck with BBQ (and hot tub) is the perfect place for outdoor dining and lounging.Relax, explore, enjoy!Jill JensenWine Country Lodges - Offering Distinctive Riverfront Vacation Homes in California Wine Country866-786-2778 toll free

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Vacation Rentals by Owner

Classic Riverfront Retreat, Romantic Views, Vaulted Great Room [#173421] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (32)

Great views of Russian River

Great views of Russian River

Wonderful view and stay

Wonderful view and stay

Rustic charm

Rustic charm

Wonderful Rustic lodge, perfect location

Wonderful Rustic lodge, perfect location

Wine country happiness

Wine country happiness

Beautiful house in an wonderful location

Beautiful house in an wonderful location

Lovely home in a wonderful spot

Lovely home in a wonderful spot

Quaint and perfect!

Quaint and perfect!

Girls' Barrel Tasting Weekend

Girls' Barrel Tasting Weekend

awesome overall experience

awesome overall experience

Great stay at The Old River Lodge

Great stay at The Old River Lodge

Wine Country Retreat

Wine Country Retreat

Frustrating experience

Frustrating experience

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