In a culture that quietly rewards exhaustion, choosing rest can feel like an act of defiance. For one writer accustomed to running on fumes, three days at the Rituals of Renewal retreat hosted by members only lifestyle service Velocity Black at the Montage Healdsburg in California’s Sonoma wine country turned out to be exactly the kind of defiance she needed.
Arriving at Montage Healdsburg
The experience began before the retreat even officially started. A private car waiting at the airport, stocked with snacks for the drive to the resort, set the tone immediately. The Velocity Black team greeted attendees warmly, and an early bonding session over lunch helped break down any awkwardness before the programming began.
A welcome check in featured a curated herbal tea blend the kind that makes you want to recreate it the moment you get home. A tarot card reader was also on hand, offering personal reflections on creativity and life direction, giving the opening hours a quietly introspective, almost ceremonial feel.
Day 1: Movement, meals and a sound bath with Jhené Aiko
The first full day opened with a workout session led by trainer Kirsty Godso, known for her high energy signature routines. A nourishing breakfast followed, with sweeping views of surrounding vineyards making it feel less like a meal and more like a moment to actually sit still.
The day’s most anticipated offering was a sound bath led by Grammy nominated singer and wellness advocate Jhené Aiko a first for many attendees. The session used layered tones and vibrations to guide participants into a deeply meditative state, providing a restorative close to what had been a full travel day. Rooms were stocked with Therabody sleep masks, a thoughtful Velocity Black touch that extended the relaxation well into the night.
Day 2: Skipstone Ranch and the magic of Sonoma
The second day brought an excursion to Skipstone Ranch, a working organic estate where the group enjoyed a leisurely lunch paired with olive oil and honey tastings against a backdrop of rolling hills that looked almost too beautiful to be real. It was the kind of scenery that makes it hard to look at a phone.
Conversations throughout the retreat went deep. Jhené Aiko shared a personal mindfulness habit setting daily alarms not for meetings or reminders, but as prompts to pause, breathe, and count blessings. It was the sort of small, replicable practice that stuck with attendees long after the retreat ended, the kind of thing you quietly add to your routine without making a big announcement about it.
Day 3: A Michelin star dinner at Cyrus
The final evening delivered an experiential dinner at Cyrus, the Michelin starred restaurant from chef Douglas Keane in Healdsburg. Guests were brought into the kitchen’s orbit, watching the culinary team work with precision before sitting down to a multi course meal that moved from one beautifully composed dish to the next. A chocolate fountain added a playful, unexpected finish to the night.
It was the kind of meal that felt like a celebration of rest chosen, of community formed, of something important finally being prioritized.
What to know before you go
For anyone considering a Velocity Black retreat, a few practical notes are worth keeping in mind. Flying into Santa Rosa Airport offers the most direct access to Healdsburg. Velocity Black operates as a digital concierge service, with membership running around $3,000 per year, covering access to curated experiences like this one. Sonoma’s dry climate also calls for heavier moisturizers than most people pack a small humidifier in the room is not a bad idea either.
Wellness expert Dr. Jonathan Leary, whose work focuses on longevity and preventive health, has long emphasized that human connection is among the most underrated tools for a long, healthy life. After three days at Montage Healdsburg, that idea felt less like a talking point and more like something lived.
The writer came home lighter. Not because anything dramatic happened, but because nothing had to. Sometimes the most transformative thing a retreat can offer is simply the permission to stop.
