The sun shines brilliantly against a bluebird sky as I navigate along a two-lane highway toward High Hill Farm tucked away in the Piney Woods off County Road 217. The GPS chirps to life, instructing me to take a left before announcing that I’ve arrived at my destination as I pull up to the gate.
Once inside, I’m greeted warmly by Sharon Romano – she and her husband Jason Romano are the proprietors and visionaries of High Hill Farm.
My tour begins with a brief history of High Hill Farm as I follow Sharon down a hall that’s reminiscent of a gallery. The walls are filled with local artists’ art, offering pops of color against the understated color scheme and polished concrete floors.
“My daughter competed in dressage, and the first time we came to East Texas, I fell in love. I just love it out here, the hills, the pines; it’s so green!” The couple began searching for land and bought the property in 2012. Not sure what they’d do with it, they began brainstorming.
“ We thought about it and started thinking about travel and things we liked to do to escape. We had younger kids at the time and didn’t have a quick escape,” says Sharon. The couple resided in Dallas at the time. Avid travelers, the pair drew inspiration from places they’ve visited, specifically the California wine country and the Florida panhandle. “We just started talking to friends and thought, we could do that,” explains Sharon.
Our first stop is Napoleon Bar, a nod to Jason’s hometown, New Orleans, and one of the couple’s favorite watering-holes.
Next door sits Cote, the 48 seat restaurant where chef Ryan Dove creates delectable dishes such as Seared Seabass with a Passion Fruit Gastrique and Coconut Rice and Seared Magret Duck Breast with Cabernet Demi-Glace. Locally sourced goods are used when available – some of the produce comes from the onsite garden.
The pool, set in the manicured lawn, overlooks the vineyard. Chaise lounges beg for a good book and a fluffy towel to while away an afternoon. Every inch of the property is understated elegance. I can easily see myself sipping a glass of wine and catching a sunset in front of a crackling fire in the stone fireplace under a lovely wooden pergola.
High Hill Farm has several accommodation options.
The sherbert-colored bungalows, each named for something significant in the Romanos’ lives, offer luxurious linens, enormous walk-in showers, sumptuous robes and slippers, and, my favorite, a private outdoor patio. The larger four-bedroom unit, Gatsby, comes complete with a fire pit.
While the focus of High Hill Farm is relaxation and rejuvenation, there is plenty to do. “We’re not really activity-driven. We offer skeet shooting, and, of course, we have the pool. There are trails all over the property to explore, bocce ball, and lawn games. You can always book a massage.” Sharon notes, adding, ” We’re about escape and relaxation, laid-back luxury. You can do as much as you want to, or as little as you want to.”
For East Texans, the perfect getaway is right in your own backyard.
Imagine the exquisitely indulgent moment when you sink into a luxurious hotel bed after a day of relaxation, only to wake up to a lovely continental breakfast and perhaps a pitcher of mimosa to start the morning. A home away from home, only much, much better.
“A shorter drive means when you get here, you’re already on vacation as you come through the gate – not tired out from a long trip,” says Sharon. “You feel like you’ve totally gotten away even while remaining close to home.”
High Hill Farm is located at 12626 CR 217, Arp, TX 75750. Visit them online HERE.
As always, thanks for reading. XOXO
Originally published in ETX View Magazine. Photos courtesy of High Hill Farm.
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