Savoring The Autumn Harvest

September 3, 2023 by Perrie Hartz

Autumn is marked by changing leaves, crisp weather, cozy sweaters, and of course an abundance of produce from the harvest. While fleeting, this season is also one of the best times to travel, taking in the gorgeous colorful landscapes, enjoying seasonal produce, and savoring the last bit of balmy temperatures before the cold sets in. Hidden Doorways has gathered some properties that offer the very best fall harvest experiences, whether it be a stunning California winery, an idyllic provencal escape, or a regal manor set in the bucolic English countryside.

Coquillade | Provence, France

Situated in the heart of France’s Luberon region, Coquillade Provence is a true Provençal retreat that celebrates the bucolic beauty of this region, especially during autumn. It has long been a secret hideaway for cyclists and those seeking an active holiday or an indulgent reprieve from the busier summer months. Autumn brings crisp breezes and clear sunny days illuminated by vibrant foliage, all complimented by the sensational sweet smell of grapes picked for the last harvest of the year. This charming Relais & Chateaux 63-room property rests on 104 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds dotted with sumptuous vineyards, lavender fields, olive groves, soaring Cyprus trees, and a lovingly manicured garden. Guests will find all the charms of an autumnal countryside retreat, from quaint bastides to elevated seasonal dining experiences that harness local produce and wines at the estate’s award-winning Autero Winery.

Herdade da Malhadinha Nova | Alentejo, Portugal

A land of endless horizons and rich history, Baixo Alentejo is one of Portugal’s best-kept secrets, and the perfect place for a unique fall escape. Herdade da Malhadinha Nova sits in the heart of this bucolic region surrounded by 450 hectares of vineyards and rolling fields. This gorgeous estate also has a working Stud farm, along with lush vineyards, olive groves, and a vegetable garden from which the hotel’s farm-to-table restaurant gathers its fresh produce. Helmed by Michelin-starred chef Joachim Koerper, the menu offers traditional Alentejan dishes made with produce from the estate’s organic farm, from honey and eggs to fresh vegetables, olive oil and bread. Seasonal activities and experiences on property include wine tasting and vineyard/winery tours, hot air balloon rides, picnics, canoeing down the Guadiana River, cooking and artisanal bread-baking classes, horseback riding, archery, pottery workshops, and much more.

Heckfield Place | Hampshire, England

Revel in the glories of the autumn season at Heckfield Place, a luxurious Georgian countryside estate in North Hampshire, England. Set on 438 acres of lush gardens, woodlands, meadows, and orchards, this is the perfect place to relax and reconnect with nature. Each day, fall produce is picked fresh from the gardens and farm and served in restaurants Marle and Hearth (helmed by heralded chef Skye Gyngell), then, when the sun sets, the intimate Moon Bar comes to life serving estate-grown infusions that breathe new life into classic cocktails. With an extensive wine cellar, 67-seat screen room and all-natural spa, there’s much to do, though the beauty of the surrounding gardens and woods will be hard to beat. Guests can cap off a splendid fall weekend with specially-curated Heckfield picnic hampers that they’ll enjoy in the beautiful woodlands, rounded off with a wild water dip in the open water lake.

Twin Farms | Barnard, Vermont

A gorgeous Relais & Chateaux luxury resort nestled in 300 acres of pristine Vermont countryside, Twin Farms feels like your own private autumnal escape. Guests might wile away chilly fall afternoons by a fireplace after an active morning exploring the 300 acres of meadows and woodlands and basking in the spectacular colors, as autumns in Vermont bring leaf peeping to vibrant peaks. Other outdoor activities include canoeing on the serene pond or fly-fishing. The outstanding seasonal cuisine at Twin Farms’ award-winning Twiggs restaurant is not to be missed, and there is a 15,000-bottle wine cellar that complements the fresh farm-to-table fare, themed for each of the four seasons. For fall travelers looking to explore the local scene, antique shops, art galleries, and tours of a working farm are just around the corner of what may be one of the quaintest and most charming towns in America.

The Madrona | Healdsburg, California

Deep in the heart of California’s famed Sonoma county wine region is The Madrona, a historic 24-room property sitting on 8 sprawling acres of pristine land in Healdsburg. A fall getaway here promises quaint small-town charm, world-class wineries, and impressive culinary scene. Guests will wake up to misty autumn mornings, wander the leafy pathways and storied hallways, revel in delicious seasonal fare, and sip cocktails on the porch overlooking the tangerine-hued sunset. Even though it sits only a mile from the center of town, the estate manages to feel like a tranquil world unto itself. Beyond the perfectly-manicured gardens and fragrant citrus groves, there is also a heated outdoor pool and fire-pits that create the ideal cozy atmosphere for relaxing in the crisp autumn weather.

Southall Farm & Inn | Franklin, Tennessee

Southall Farm & Inn is a sweeping countryside enclave buried deep in the rolling hills of Franklin, Tennessee. Fall travelers interested in nature and sustainability will love this farm-based luxury eco-resort, home to 325 acres of lush greenery, Tennessee’s largest spa, two signature restaurants, and a working farm. Along with the biodynamic working farm that sustains the resort restaurants, the property boasts expansive apple orchards, an orangerie, thriving greenhouses and a seasonal farm stand. Its signature restaurant, Mary Amelia, serves seasonal farm-to-table cuisine not to be. Missed during the harvest season. Guests can stay active and take to the high ropes course, or try falconry, honey tastings, immersive farm tours, and canoeing on picturesque Lake Mishkin.

Pereh | Golan Heights, Israel

Located on a private estate in Northern Israel’s Golan Heights, Pereh Mountain Resort is an autumn escape surrounded by lush gardens and freshly-scented orchard that offers beautiful landscapes, amazing Israeli wines, and local cuisine at Rouge Restaurant that encapsulates the very best of Israel’s Galilee and Golan Heights region. The property’s convenient location allows for an abundance of outdoor fall adventures and activities, including hiking trails, wine tastings, vineyard tours, and more. Guests will enjoy the crisp fresh air while taking a relaxing stroll through the rolling Golan vineyards.

Contact:

Hidden Doorways

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