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Owners: Rolly and Linda Wahl
Rolly Wahl, a marketing executive, and his wife Linda, an
interior designer, bought Redwood Tree House the day it
came on the market. They had no idea they’d beaten former
California Governor Jerry Brown and Hollywood producer
Ron Howard to the punch.
At the time, the home was more of a “fisherman's cottage”
than the wine country retreat the couple envisioned. With just
three weeks until the first booked guests arrived for the
Thanksgiving weekend Rolly and Linda rolled up their sleeves
and got right to work. They upgraded furniture, linens, artwork, appliances
and accessories, added a new lawn, patio and hot tub overlooking the river,
finishing at 4 a.m. the morning guests were due to arrive.
A gracious experience
“We love receiving positive feedback from our guests,” Rolly says. “We're
delighted that many of our guests return and enthusiastically refer friends,
family and business colleagues. We've created several custom-designed
certificates for bookings given as gifts.”
They even keep in touch with some former guests. When a hurricane
delayed the arrival of a Florida couple by several days, the Wahls were
happy to help them reschedule. It proved to be the beginning of a
friendship.
“They graciously invited us for a home-cooked dinner,” Rolly remembers.
“We treated them to a members-only wine club event beforehand at one of
our favorite local wineries. We had a wonderful evening sharing
backgrounds, philosophies and politics. We still keep in touch and they've
invited us to stay with them in Florida.”
REDWOOD TREE HOUSE
Where it is: On the banks of the Russian River, just outside of Healdsburg.
What’s unique about it: Redwood Tree House has a 150-foot redwood
tree—growing up through the center of the house. (The trunk is enclosed in
glass.)
Why you should go: “With more than 60 wineries within 10 miles of the
house, there's a new wine experience in every direction,” Rolly says. “Hop
on a bicycle and 10 minutes later, you're in the Russian River Valley sipping
chardonnay or pinot noir. Drive west to the Dry Creek Valley and there are
fabulous zinfandels and syrahs growing along winding roads. Just over the
hill is the Alexander Valley with its world-class cabernets.”
- The New York Times
- Wine Enthusiast magazine
- The Marin Independent Journal
- The Fine Living Channel's
"Around the World in 80 Homes"
