In the movement toward more mindful and sustainable travel, a growing number of prominent hotels are rethinking what it means to offer true luxury with greener guest experiences. Increasingly, the answer lies not only in five-star service and fine dining but in eco-conscious innovation. Among these pioneers is Sonoma County’s beloved Farmhouse Inn, a serene 25-room boutique property tucked along a stretch of the Russian River Valley, which has helped set a new standard in low-impact travel by partnering with Volvo to offer plug-in hybrid, and soon all-electric vehicles, as an amenity.

For many properties, the house vehicle—often a sleek town car or gas-guzzling SUV—is undergoing a quiet transformation. And in California Wine Country, where winding coastal routes and redwood forests beckon, the shift to electric offers visitors a new way to engage with the landscape: quietly, cleanly, and with a renewed sense of appreciation.

A More Mindful Way to Explore

The Farmhouse Inn’s collaboration with Volvo—one of the most forward-thinking and eco-conscious car brands out there—is a significant step in the evolution of green initiatives in hospitality. Make luxury travel a little greener, without sacrificing style or comfort. “Our partnership with Volvo really stemmed from shared values,” says Matthew de Quillien, General Manager of the Farmhouse Inn and sister property 27 North. “We’ve always tried to align ourselves with brands that reflect both thoughtful design and responsibility. Volvo’s commitment to safety, innovation, and sustainability was a natural fit.”

During my stay at the Farmhouse Inn, I had the chance to spend an afternoon in their current house car, the Volvo XC90 Recharge T8. These plug-in hybrids have been part of the experience here since 2020, and with the inn getting ready to switch to Volvo’s new all-electric EX90s, I happened to be one of the last guests to take one out for a spin. My route took me east along winding back roads to tiny coastal village Jenner-by-the-Sea, then north to Timber Cove, where I stopped to enjoy a clifftop picnic lunch provided by the Farmhouse Restaurant at a scenic viewpoint.

From there, I took a leisurely detour, cruising south along the winding Highway 1 and through Bodega Bay—made famous by Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 thriller The Birds—then headed east to Sebastopol, known for its apple-growing roots, before making my way back to the inn—just in time to unwind before dinner.

Driving Toward a Greener Future

According to de Quillien, driving an EV changes the entire vibe of the journey. “We’ve noticed that having EVs available encourages a more relaxed and intentional pace,' he says. 'There’s a certain mindfulness that naturally emerges and reflects our broader goal: to help people experience Sonoma not just as a place, but as a feeling.”

Few places embody that sentiment more than the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, a protected 805-acre preserve of ancient coast redwoods—some more than 1,400 years old and towering over 300 feet high—just north of Guerneville. Absorbing their presence while arriving in a quiet, emission-free vehicle deepens a sense of connection, awe and care for the land these giants have watched over for centuries.

Guests can take the wheel for up to four hours during the day or opt for a chauffeured evening “Dinner Drive” with a designated driver from the inn. The concierge team handles everything—from pre-arrival outreach with vehicle details to personalized route planning. “Our team loves curating scenic drives, from redwood loops to coastal adventures,” de Quillien shares, adding that a favorite is the Westside Road backroad, with tastings at Porter Creek or MacRostie, then Guerneville for lunch along the river.

And what a way to travel. Charging is a breeze with convenient on-site stations at the inn (although you’ll receive the vehicle fully charged before setting out), leaving you free to unwind and explore without the dreaded “range anxiety”. With a range of up to 300 miles, Volvo’s new EX90s will make it easy to venture out around the county—whether for a day of chauffeured wine tastings or a private 'countryside to coast' drive.

The Farmhouse Inn Experience

For the Farmhouse Inn, going all-electric isn’t a trendy move—it’s an extension of an already deeply rooted ethos. The fifth-generation family-owned property has long been a leader in responsible tourism, sourcing ingredients hyper-locally, supporting regenerative agriculture at its Chalk Hill Farm, and offering wellness experiences inspired by nature, like a flower reading with Wellness Barn Supervisor Wendy Wright.

“Wine country, while beautiful and enriching, does carry an environmental footprint, especially in how guests move through the region,” de Quillien notes. “The Volvo partnership supports our mission to offer luxury grounded in stewardship.” The EV program has already become one of the inn’s most talked-about guest experiences, with the response overwhelmingly positive.

“For many, it’s their first time driving a Volvo, and they’re often surprised by how intuitive and enjoyable it is. It’s become one of those delightful extras people remember long after they leave,” he says. 

A Natural Partnership with Shared Values

“Just as we design our vehicles with people, planet, and purposeful beauty in mind, we seek hotel partners who reflect the same values,” says Kelly Mason, Head of Communications for Volvo Car Americas. “And the Farmhouse Inn brings them to life, sharing our vision for thoughtful luxury that delivers extraordinary experiences.”

Indeed, the inn’s house EV program is just one thread in a tapestry of sensory and seasonal moments where everything is created with intention. Michelin-starred evening meals created by husband-and-wife duo executive chef Craig Wilmer and executive pastry chef Amanda Hoang being a delicious case in point. Ingredients for dishes at the inn’s restaurant are sourced hyper-locally—think sea bass from Bodega Bay, home-baked bread with honey from the property’s bees served in a perfectly molded butter spoon, and venison carpaccio topped with edible flowers.

There’s a genuine home-away-from-home feel here, too. Cottages and suites featuring featherbeds made up in fine European linens promise cozy evenings and restful sleeps, while balconies overlooking the peaceful landscape pair perfectly with slow mornings. Poolside yoga followed by a smoothie from The Farmstand adds to the restorative ambiance.

Thanks to Volvo, that restorative energy, coupled with understated Scandinavian luxury—think clean lines, calming tones, and a thoughtful balance between form and function inside the cabin—extends to the open road. But the Farmhouse Inn isn’t the only property reimagining what luxury travel looks like. Volvo has partnered with several like-minded hotels across the country—from a Gilded Age mansion in Upstate New York to an Art Deco treasure in Miami—to make EVs an accessible and elegant amenity. 

A Model for Sustainable Hospitality

Here in Sonoma, de Quillien says he is actively exploring ways to expand the Volvo experience. “At 27 North in Healdsburg, we’re designing itineraries where guests can be chauffeured to local farms. It’s about creating seamless, elevated experiences that connect people with the heart of Sonoma.” At a time where travelers increasingly seek more meaningful and good-for-you experiences, partnerships like this offer a promising model for the future. The Farmhouse Inn and Volvo have shown that reducing your footprint doesn’t mean scaling back luxury—in fact, it may just redefine it.