We have booked VRBO rentals in CA for nearly 2 decades. Decanter represents the Best House and Hosts Ever!
We stayed 7 nights hosting a bi-coastal, 3-generation family gathering. We sought: 1) a house that offered each family member diverse facilities for entertainment and exercise; 2) wine country views and privacy from neighbors; 3) shared pool and hot tub time; 4) opportunity to prepare elaborate menus, dine together for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and (for the adults) to taste wine well into the night; and 5) separate ensuite bedrooms for 2 adult couples and the 2 teenagers. Decanter met and far exceeded these requirements. As an unexpected bonus, Jack and B were extraordinary hosts with near-instant, complete, and creative responses to all our questions/needs. Their Welcome cheese and charcuterie board set a hospitable tone for a superb vacation housing experience.
We prepared all meals at Decanter. Two adult couples collaborated bi-coastally over preceding weeks on menus/grocery lists. Our planning led to numerous questions to Jack and B about things like pizza pans, wok, rice cooker, roasting pan, instant meat thermometer, sharp knives, pancake griddle, and number of matching wine glasses. Along with direct answers, our hosts made additional suggestions about how to use their Roccbox pizza oven (complete with instructional videos), local sources for dough, and offered bottle “socks” for blind tasting. Clearly, Jack and B are foodies as evidenced by their exceedingly well-equipped (and labeled!) kitchen and enticing cookbook collection in the living room.
The diversity of dining and gathering spaces is exceptional! We used the formal dining room for lunches and dinners. Breakfasts were al fresco at the umbrella table on the pool deck. Games were played at the living room coffee table. For happy hours/sunset viewing we wandered the property, including the table and chairs on the ridge beyond the garden, adjacent to the neighboring vineyard.
The swimming pool and hot tub were magnets for many activities. Our granddaughter swam two 200-lap days. A menagerie of inflatable pool toys was provided. Pool lounges offered spots for reading and sunning. Many games of pool and foosball were played. Serious Peloton riding took place.
We were thrilled with our immersion in Decanter Life just a short distance from Healdsburg. Kudos to Jack and B for an exceptionally outfitted house and a meticulous approach to guest service!
