Appellation Petaluma is set to open in 2026 in southern Sonoma County, California.

EKN Development Group and Appellation, a culinary-first brand co-founded by luxury hospitality veteran Christopher Hunsberger and renowned American chef Charlie Palmer, have partnered to develop the 93-room property, which they say will be the city’s first experiential boutique hotel.

“From the beginning, we intentionally designed this hotel  to pay homage to the integral role that food and wine play in Petaluma,” said Ebbie Nakhjavani, CEO of EKN Development Group. “We chose Appellation to bring this project to life because they uniquely put the culinary experience at the forefront of the guest experience and can offer a local Sonoma County perspective. Under Charlie and Christopher’s leadership, we know they will deliver the best in the industry.”

As with all Appellation properties, the culinary experience will go well beyond the hotel’s food and beverage venues. Food-focused amenities and programming will be blended into every aspect of the hotel, many of which will embrace Petaluma’s growing culinary scene. The five-storey Appellation Petaluma will also be home to the only rooftop bar in town.

“Chris and I are lucky to call Sonoma County our home, and over the years, we’ve had our eye on Petaluma as an emerging culinary destination in the region,” says Charlie Palmer. “With its bohemian, metropolitan setting, Petaluma will offer our future guests a different experience in Wine Country compared to other Sonoma County counterparts like Healdsburg, where we will be opening our first hotel next year.”

Located just an hour’s drive from San Francisco, Petaluma is often referred to as “Wine Country’s best kept secret.” It offers historic buildings, boutiques, art galleries and a range of eateries as well as award-winning vintages from the Petaluma Gap, which was designated an American Viticultural Area in 2017.

“Petaluma is characterezed by traditions that have been passed down for generations by local farmers, vintners, and artists. The town has an energy unlike any other in Wine Country with such an emphasis on history, art and culture,” said Nakhiavai. “Honouring Petaluma’s rich arts scene, we will invest over $500,000 in art including specifically commissioned signature pieces from local artists that will be accessible to everyone in the community.”