Sosta House

written by Kerry Newberry
photography by Kenna Beban

For brother-sister duo Nico and Mia Ponzi Hamacher, Sosta House means much more than an idyllic wine country retreat. “We are sharing the way we grew up,” said Nico. “With beautiful moments in the garden and around the table.” Their three-room bed and breakfast that opened mid-July is in the original home of their grandparents—wine legends Dick and Nancy Ponzi.

Over the course of a year, the siblings, along with extended family and friends, brought their vision to life, turning the home that housed multiple generations of the Ponzi family into a thoughtful wine country getaway. In fact, their 90-year-old grandfather helped build the back deck. One of Mia’s friends stitched all the curtains on her grandmother’s sewing machine. And their father, winemaker Eric Hamacher, spearheaded the organic kitchen garden that supplies ingredients for guest breakfasts and wine-paired dinners.

Most of the artwork gracing the rooms and airy community spaces was also created by their greater network. “It’s not perfected and manufactured,” said Nico. “But that’s part of the beauty and magic of it.” Guests can select from three different rooms and add on wine dinners that Mia cooks and pairs with her father’s wines on set evenings. Hamacher Wines is steps away, along with leafy vineyards for morning walks and sunsets.

“We want to create a really personal experience,” said Mia. From cooking for guests and providing garden flowers in rooms to filling the place with heartfelt beauty. “We recently launched an artist residency program,” said Mia. “The idea is that as time goes by, the space will be more enriched by the people who have been here.”

ROOMS

Choose from three distinct room options: The sunsoaked Garden Room overlooks the grounds and has a large rain shower. For families or groups, the Studio can sleep up to four and features a full bathroom with marble counters, plus a kitchenette. Solo travelers will feel at home in the Loft. Each space speaks to the family history with a mix of vintage decor and artwork made by friends and family.

FEATURES

Mingle with other pinot pilgrims in the shared spaces around the property. The art-filled Great Room is set for conviviality. You’ll find a cozy fireplace, communal library, hand-built chess table, vintage reading chairs and a corner banquette for working or dining. An extensive outdoor deck overlooks a kitchen garden, stately evergreens and a firepit ready for s’mores.

DINING

Enjoy freshly made breakfast delivered to your room, outside on the deck or in the Great Room. Recent morning bites ranged from a savory vegetable quiche to a cardamom and brown butter bun. Many of the ingredients are sourced from the onsite garden and neighboring farms. You can join a four-course dinner with wine pairings on Sunday and Thursday evenings. Picnic lunches are available on request for wine country adventures.

Breakfast at Sosta can be brought to your room.

AMENITIES

Since Hamacher Wines is just steps away, you can get an immersive wine experience, especially at the peak of harvest when you can spy grapes getting sorted on the crush pad and wine dogs romping through vineyard rows. When the tasting room is closed, guests can stroll the vineyard at sunrise with a cup of coffee or enjoy a sunset bocce game.