A stunning transformation is now complete at Wine & Roses, ushering in a new era for the beloved wine country retreat, with the debut of Appellation Lodi – Wine & Roses Resort and Spa. Operating owners Russ and Kathryn Munson, along with their longtime investment partners, have partnered with Appellation – the culinary-first hospitality brand co-founded by celebrated American chef Charlie Palmer and luxury hospitality veteran Christopher Hunsberger – to guide the resort into its next chapter. Appellation Lodi – Wine & Roses Resort and Spa marks Appellation’s first operational hotel, with several new-build properties in development, largely focused on California’s emerging wine destinations.
A REFRESH THAT CELEBRATES THE HOTEL’S LEGACY & LODI’S FUTURE
The renovations build upon the hotel’s rich legacy and incorporate Appellation’s guiding philosophy, where culinary artistry is infused into every aspect of the guest experience – well beyond dining venues – from design to botanical and culinary gardens, public spaces and programming. Together, the Appellation team and the Wine & Roses team will honor the hotel’s storied past while redefining the future of Lodi hospitality.
“Our beloved, historic estate has seen many lives, starting as a working ranch more than a century ago and transitioning to a 10-room bed and breakfast, which evolved into today’s 66-key boutique hotel,” remarks Russ Munson, operating owner of Wine & Roses. “Our newfound partnership with Appellation marks an exciting evolution for the hotel and Lodi hospitality, as we continue to elevate the guest experience together.”
“More than anything, we want Appellation Lodi – Wine & Roses Resort and Spa to serve as the hub for Lodi and greater Central Valley residents, where guests rub shoulders with the growers, makers and purveyors who make up the hotel’s vibrant community,” says Appellation co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Christopher Hunsberger. “Our goal is to preserve the hotel’s rich heritage and welcoming setting, while putting even more emphasis on a celebration of Lodi, creating a powerful sense of ‘here’ for guests, as we aspire to do with all our hotels and resorts.”
Appellation Lodi – Wine & Roses Resort and Spa’s newly refreshed accommodations are a reflection of the region’s deep-rooted agricultural heritage, honoring both its growers and winemaking traditions. Designed with a sense of place, the airy interiors feature light oak furnishings and handcrafted textures that evoke a warm, artisanal feel. A rich palette of harvest and eucalyptus greens, cognac, and honeyed oranges and yellows bring the essence of Lodi’s landscape indoors. Many rooms showcase custom-designed textures inspired by the rolling vineyards and golden grain fields, creating a space that feels both authentic and inviting.
A NEW CULINARY PROGRAM ROOTED IN THE RICH BOUNTY OF LODI WINE COUNTRY
Appellation Lodi – Wine & Roses Resort and Spa’s new culinary program is overseen by Michelin-starred Chef Charlie Palmer, Appellation’s Chief Culinary Director Chef Thomas Bellec, and Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Director Marco Fossati, featuring two signature Charlie Palmer dining concepts and a complete revitalization of culinary landscaping and programming.
“With more than 85 boutique wineries, Lodi is home to a vibrant wine and dining scene. Appellation Lodi – Wine & Roses Resort and Spa will serve as an anchor for discovering the destination and its vibrant offerings,” notes Appellation co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Charlie Palmer. “Our hope is to shine a much-deserved light on Lodi with the reinvigoration of this landmark hotel, while continuing to preserve its beloved spaces like the tasting room operated by the Lodi Winegrape Commission, representing more than 750 growers.”
As the first stage of the transformation, Maison Lodi debuted in February 2025, bringing a fresh, new concept to the former Towne Corner Café & Market. The new space brings the timeless craft of French baking to Lodi wine country, offering hearty breads, delicate pastries, and rotisserie-roasted chickens, all crafted in collaboration with Healdsburg’s acclaimed Quail & Condor Bakery. The menu also features seasonal salads, artisan sandwiches, and house-made marketplace selections, all served in a bright, contemporary farmhouse-style café with an open kitchen where chefs create everything fresh from local ingredients and produce each day.
The Towne House Restaurant is now reimagined as Americana House, retaining part of the restaurant’s original name to honor its legacy as the hotel’s first building. Staying true to its roots as a Charlie Palmer restaurant, the redesigned concept features his signature Progressive American Cooking, emphasizing seasonal produce and the rich bounty of the land in a refined yet approachable setting. Americana House sshowcase a dedicated cheese aging cabinet, allowing the restaurant to mature both its own house-made cheese curds and ricotta, alongside cheese selections from Lodi and across Northern California. A wine decanter station brings a bit of theater and encourage culinary exploration by guests, while spotlighting seasonal selections.
The restaurant design’s palette features warm wood, harvest-inspired tones, and accents of brass, copper, and bronze, complemented by refreshed outdoor seating with inviting greenery. Guests will also have the opportunity to engage with chefs at a culinary counter while enjoying small bites, wine tastings, and special menus.
Additional Appellation Lodi – Wine & Roses Resort and Spa enhancements include:
- Expanding the landscape with culinary gardens featuring seasonal produce, allowing the team to craft dishes using freshly harvested, hyper-local ingredients. Newly manicured meandering pathways invite guests to explore the hotel’s grounds, leading to charming outdoor patio spaces featuring fireplaces for gathering and relaxation.
- Crafted at Appellation programming, offering both the local community and hotel guests access to ongoing hands-on classes and workshops with local makers and artisans.
- An annual signature food and wine event, focusing on Lodi winemakers, growers, and restaurants with a charitable component benefiting community organizations and local student scholarships.
- The hotel’s much-lauded spa is rebranded as Wine & Roses Spa, commemorating the importance of the landmark hotel’s commitment to its wellness offerings.
- A thoughtfully-curated holistic wellness program establishing Appellation Lodi – Wine & Roses Resort and Spa as a premier wellness destination, incorporating yoga, sound baths, meditation, and more into its daily offerings.
AN IDEAL HOMEBASE FOR DESTINATION DISCOVERY
Appellation Lodi – Wine & Roses Resort and Spa is located within a stone’s throw of the scenic Lodi Lake and nature trails, as well as Historic Downtown’s theatre, shopping and dining. Nestled between the San Francisco Bay and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the city is aptly dubbed the ‘Zinfandel Capital of the World,’ where fifth generation artisan winemakers carefully craft award-winning vintages from California’s oldest vines.
