Holiday weekends have a rhythm of their own. They pull us out of our routines, reconnect us with family and friends, and—ideally—place us in an environment where we can slow down, savor, and breathe a bit deeper. Not long ago, I had the chance to spend one of those long weekends at one of Exclusive Resorts’ spectacular Harvest Homes at Montage Healdsburg. And as if that weren’t enough, BMW handed me the keys to their brand-new BMW M5 Touring for the week—and were even thoughtful enough to send it in a suitably striking Smyrna Green.
A world-class residence in one of Sonoma’s most beautiful settings, paired with a high-performance touring car capable of swallowing luggage, food, wine, and family with equal ease?
Why Harvest Homes Make the Perfect Holiday Retreat
Montage Healdsburg is already one of the crown jewels of Northern California hospitality, but the Harvest Homes elevate the experience into something truly rare. Tucked among vineyards and oak woodlands, these standalone residences are modern wine-country lodges—with the comforts of a private home and the amenities of a five-star resort.
From the moment you pull up, you can feel the design intent. The lines are clean, confident, and quietly luxurious. Floor-to-ceiling glass pulls the landscape inside; the neutral palette blends with the surroundings; and indoors and outdoors flow seamlessly. These homes aren’t just places to stay—they’re architectural companions to the land around them.
For a holiday weekend, they are perfection.
There’s space to spread out. Space to cook. Space to gather. Space to entertain, and plenty of space to unwind—whether over a glass of wine by the fire pit or relaxing in the hot tub on the deck at the end of the day. And with the golden light of wine country spilling across the hills, sunsets stretching long over the Alexander Valley, and the scent of woodsmoke drifting at dusk, it’s hard not to feel like this is exactly where a holiday was meant to be spent.
Unpacking, Cooking, Hosting—Made Easier With the BMW M5 Touring
Now, I’ll admit: as someone who writes about cars with unapologetic enthusiasm, I already expected to enjoy the new BMW M5 Touring. What I didn’t expect was just how practical this 717-horsepower monster would prove in the context of a holiday trip, where the space and functionality of the car are paramount.
Space for Everything (and Then Some)
A weekend’s worth of groceries? Check. Produce, pies, and pantry items for a celebratory dinner? Check. Suitcases, jackets, boots, and board games? Check. A frankly irresponsible amount of wine from the cellar? Check.
Design That Balances Elegance & Muscle
BMW got the proportions right. The long roofline, broad rear haunches, and subtle surfacing give the Touring presence—not shouty, not aggressive, just purposeful. The stance communicates what it can do before you ever press the start button.
Inside, the materials, the lighting, and the new curved dual-screen setup feel modern without venturing into gimmick territory. The seats are supportive for long drives. The cabin has the sense of solidity and sophistication you want for a family trip.
And then, of course, there’s the part that reminds you this is an M5…
Performance in Wine Country
A quiet holiday weekend in Sonoma brings cool mornings, thin crowds, and roads that seem designed for a car like the M5. The Touring is shockingly composed for its size—rail-flat through sweepers, eager out of corners, and surprisingly nimble on the narrow vineyard routes.
The new hybridized V8 powertrain is a masterpiece: brutal torque when you want it, quiet electric creeping through resort areas when you don’t. The all-wheel-drive system gives confidence on damp patches under the redwoods. And when you finally point it down a long stretch of Alexander Valley Road, it accelerates with the kind of force that makes you laugh out loud—even as the car remains calm, stable, and utterly unbothered.
The Perfect Pairing: Harvest Homes & the M5 Touring
What struck me over the long weekend is how well the Montage Harvest Homes and the M5 Touring complement each other.
A Holiday Weekend Defined by Ease, Luxury, and a Little Speed
On the final morning, as we packed up and watched the fog lift from the vineyards, I found myself appreciating the quiet moments: coffee on the deck, early light coming through the pines, the simplicity of being somewhere beautiful with the people who matter most.
The base price of the 2025 BMW M5 Touring is $121,500. My demo car came in the optional Smyrna Green paint ($5,000), with Taupe / Lagoon Merino leather interior and with the jewel-like Carbon Fiber Silver Thread interior panels. It also had the Executive Package ($1,600), M Driver’s Package ($2,500), M Drive Professional ($900) and and Carbon Ceramic Brakes ($8,500). This brought the total retail price to $145,775, including delivery.
For more information on the BMW M5 Touring visit the website here.
Photographs by James Henderson.
