By Liza Gershman
There’s always been a bit of mystery about NewTree Ranch. Tucked at the far end of Mill Creek Road, hidden behind ancient trees and private gates, it’s the kind of place locals speculate about.
“What are they doing up there?”
“Isn’t that where celebrities go to detox?”
The truth is quieter, and far more radical.
Edward Sittler Newell isn’t building a wellness retreat. He’s cultivating an ecosystem—one that nurtures the land, the animals, the guests and the greater community, all in equal measure. Every decision at NewTree is made with deep intention and harmony in mind. From the composting system that cycles graywater back into the soil, to the Rivian trucks and electric garden tools that minimize environmental impact, nothing is accidental.
The ranch produces a significant portion of its own power through solar, hydro and wind systems—over 90%. All vehicles are electric. Repairs are minimal. Waste is composted. This isn’t luxury for luxury’s sake—it’s stewardship in action.
“If it kills the plants,” Newell says, “I don’t want it on the property, for the sake of the animals, the soil, the guests or even my skin.”
The philosophy here is simple, though the execution is anything but. NewTree Ranch operates on permaculture principles and biodynamic practices, supported by renowned consultant Harold Hoven. Over the past decade, the land has been transformed. The soil is now some of the healthiest in Sonoma County—teeming with life, vibrancy and resilience. And it shows. The gardens flourish. The animals—chickens, donkeys, goats and cows—are content and thriving. Even the guests seem to breathe differently here.
This isn’t a passive vacation. Guests plant flowers, vegetables and trees. They participate in experiences that have been shaped by Edward, following a long path to his own personal healing after leaving a strenuous corporate life, to create harmony and balance for the inner self and for the land. Guests walk the property—they cook and they experience what it is like to find the quiet reflection of oneself. They leave something behind, too. A bit of themselves, perhaps—but also something that grows … a tree planted, a gift to the soil. That’s the heartbeat of NewTree Ranch: regeneration.
It’s in the soil. It’s in the sky. It’s in the idea that the guest experience should feed something larger than the individual, and Newtree has thoughtful partnerships in the community as an extension of this ethos as well, with Farm to Pantry, Food for Thought and other organizations that feed our hungry, reinforcing a simple truth: Wellness without community isn’t wellness at all.
Even the ranch stay proceeds themselves are frequently donated to nonprofits, and an onsite edible garden nonprofit is being developed to teach regenerative principles to the next generation.
The first time I visited, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but thought perhaps I would discover a quiet beauty in a luxury spot for tourists. What I found was something so much more purposeful and significant: a kind of reverent efficiency—systems working in balance. A steward whose entire existence is focused on the health and harmony of the land, the people who work with him and the guests who visit. This is a beautiful expression of nature in dialogue with human hands. A place where every choice feels like a conversation with the future.
NewTree isn’t just growing food or flowers. It’s growing consciousness. And in a world that too often asks, “What can I take?” this place quietly and consistently answers: “What can I give back?”
NewTree Ranch is a 120-acre luxury estate with two rental villas. More information online at newtreeranch.com.
