Campus-style resort will deliver a culinary-first experience in the heart of Sonoma’s wine country
Healdsburg, Calif. - September 15, 2025 – R.D. Olson Construction, an award-winning general contractor in California, has announced the opening of the Appellation Healdsburg resort. The project is a partnership amongst the renowned Comstock Development, and Appellation co-founders Chef Charlie Palmer and Christopher Hunsberger. R.D. Olson Construction provided a full-service build on the campus style resort, which spans over eight acres and offers a culinary driven experience.
Located approximately 80 miles north of San Francisco, the resort spans 81,700 square feet of conditioned space, (approximately 125,000 square-feet under roof) and is within Healdsburg’s North Village, a quaint town mostly consisting of Sonoma’s rolling vineyards. The resort is comprised of 15 buildings that hold 108 guestrooms alongside food-first dining areas and robust amenity spaces.
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The guestrooms are within two story bungalows that are spread across the property. 60 rooms are located within the West Bungalows and 38 within the East Bungalows. Additionally, 10 rooms are located in the 3-story arrival building with a Presidential Suite on the top floor. Among the buildings is also a 200-seat restaurant that is centered around farm-to-table cooking and Andy’s Beeline Rooftop, a bar built to provide sweeping views of the surrounding vineyards.
Appellation Healdsburg is one of the first campus-style projects for R.D. Olson Construction, which presented extensive site work. However, the firm maintained a strong partnership with the City of Healdsburg and building inspector, Bureau Veritas, which supported navigation of the site and provided hands-on collaboration to ensure the project could be completed within 22 months.
Guest amenities include an 8,500 square foot spa, fitness center, lap pool along with a family pool and jacuzzi in the West bungalow area. R.D. Olson Construction also built the 14,398-square-foot barn-style Grange Building, which features an astroturf surface for flexible use and easy tent setup—ideal for milestone events.
“Building Appellation Healdsburg was a unique opportunity to construct a resort that immerses guests into Sonoma’s food and wine culture,” said Bill Wilhelm, president of R.D. Olson Construction. “Chris and Charlie are great partners and to see one of their first Appellation properties come to life is a privilege.”
The development of Appellation Healdsburg brought approximately 400 construction jobs and was a collaboration with architect Hart Howerton, EDG Interior Architecture & Design, structural engineers IMEG, MEP engineers EXP, civil engineer Carlile Macy, and soils engineer Kleinfelder, Inc.
Previous R.D. Olson hospitality and renovation projects include AC Hotel Pasadena, The Lido House in Newport Beach (currently undergoing an expansion), Sheraton at the Park in Anaheim, and W Hotel in Westwood.
Appellation Healdsburg is located at 101 Dovetail Ln, Healdsburg, CA 95448.
About R.D. Olson Construction
Founded by Bob Olson in 1979 and led by President Bill Wilhelm, R.D. Olson Construction commemorates 46 years of building and is one of the top 40 general contracting firms in California. R.D. Olson Construction is a premier builder of hotel and multi-unit properties for several national hoteliers and developers, including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Ritz Carlton, MBK Living, Related Properties and Meta Housing, and has a robust portfolio of renovation projects including Atria Senior Housing, Chapman University’s Reeves Hall, the conversion of the historic Bank of Italy Building into the Nomad Hotel and more. The firm also has a rich history as a builder of office, retail, restaurant, education, senior living and recreational projects. Learn more atwww.rdolson.com.
About Appellation
Appellation, meaning “to give a name to a place,” crafts unparalleled culinary-centered places of hospitality that immerse guests in the uniquely local aspects of exceptional destinations. The first hotel brand born from the merger of culinary and hospitality, Appellation is about comfort and connection over formality and extravagance – perfectly blending luxury amenities with real world experiences born of this place. The company is the vision of co-founders Charlie Palmer, one of America’s best-known chefs who arguably created the successful hotel restaurant model, and Christopher Hunsberger, who spent over 30 years in strategic leadership roles with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. When the first Appellation hotels open in Healdsburg (CA), Sun Valley (ID), Petaluma (CA) and Pacific Grove (CA), they will set a new standard for immersion in culinary, culture and community that can only be found “here.” To learn more, visitwww.appellationhotels.com.
Originally reported by R.D. Olson Construction.
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