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Sundance logo and location Driftless kitchen view.png
Sundance logo and location Driftless kitchen view.png
Local Driftless Dinner outing

AnaCapri & Jodi at sunset Driftless dinner. 

Rooted in family. Enriched by friendship. Inspired by a lifetime of caring for others.

Making donuts with Grandma

AnaCapri & Great Grandma Thora making homemade doughnuts

Raspberries grown at Sundance Villa

Fresh picked raspberries at Sundance Villa

Apricots in the orchard.

Ripe apricots in the orchard at Sundance Villa

Peaches in the orchard.

Ripe peaches in the orchard at Sundance Villa

Our Story & Wellness Philosophy

Five Generations of Family Heritage · A Lifetime of Caring · A Celebration of Wellness & Connection

Rooted in History. Inspired by Wellness:

Welcome to Sundance Villa in the Driftless, a historic 1890s farmhouse nestled among the rolling hills of southwestern Wisconsin’s beautiful Driftless Region.

For five generations, this cherished family homestead has been a place of gathering, hospitality, hard work, and traditions passed from one generation to the next.

Today, following approximately 17 years of thoughtful restoration, the farmhouse where I grew up has begun a new chapter as a destination for physician-led wellness and longevity retreats.

Our vision is to share the beauty of this special place while inspiring guests to reconnect with themselves, nurture meaningful relationships, and discover simple, sustainable ways to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.​

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Discover Our Family's Five-Generation Legacy →

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​Meet Dr. Jodi · Physician, Veteran & Founder:

As a board-certified Family Medicine physician with more than 30 years of clinical experience, I have dedicated my professional life to caring for individuals and families.

My medical journey began at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I completed my medical education and Family Medicine residency, including a year as chief resident, establishing a foundation in evidence-based, whole person care.

My experience as a Hospice Medical Director, volunteer Medical Director for local Emergency Medical Services, and U.S. military physician has deepened my appreciation for compassion, resilience, service, and the importance of human connection.

Growing up at Sundance Villa, where I was lovingly surrounded by generations of family, taught me equally valuable lessons about purposeful living, the restorative beauty of nature, and the importance of caring for one another.

These experiences inspired our physician-led retreats, where evidence-informed wellness and longevity education are thoughtfully blended with mindful movement, creative arts, restorative experiences, and meaningful connections.

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Meet AnaCapri · Wellness, Creativity & Family Traditions:

My daughter, AnaCapri, brings creativity, warmth, and a new generation of family hospitality to Sundance Villa.

A devoted mother and talented musician with a gift for vocal performance, AnaCapri studied marketing in college and helps shape Sundance Villa’s marketing, social media presence, and guest experiences.

She shares her musical talents through live crystal singing bowl sound experiences accompanying our relaxing hot stone massages. As one of our sauna experts, she also coordinates our authentic wood-fired Nordic Sauna & Cold-Plunge Experience. She is currently nearing completion of her yoga teacher certification, further expanding the wellness experiences she brings to our retreats.

Having grown up playing in the farmhouse yard and visiting her grandparents and great-grandparents here, AnaCapri treasures the opportunity to preserve our family’s heritage while creating new traditions.

Her young son, Ryland, often accompanies her to Sundance Villa as she helps prepare the farmhouse between guest stays. Watching another generation grow up surrounded by the same countryside, family connections, and traditions makes this continuing family story especially meaningful.

Together, we are honored to welcome guests into a home that has been cherished by our family for generations.

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Meet Sally · Creative Arts & Lifelong Friendship:

One of the greatest joys of Sundance Villa is sharing this experience with Sally, my best friend since childhood.

Raised on a nearby dairy farm, Sally shares our deep appreciation for the Driftless landscape, nature, and the beauty of simple country living.

An exceptionally talented artist, Sally earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and spent more than 30 years teaching elementary art. Her artistic gifts were recognized early, when her work was selected for display at the Milwaukee Art Museum during high school.

Today, Sally leads our retreat Creative Arts Experience, helping guests discover the joy of watercolor painting, creative expression, and the natural beauty surrounding Sundance Villa. She also helps facilitate our nature immersion experiences.

Her cheerful spirit, generosity, and thoughtful attention to guests make her a treasured member of our retreat family.

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The Family Behind Sundance Villa:

While Jodi, AnaCapri, and Sally guide many of our retreat experiences, several other beloved family members help make Sundance Villa the welcoming place it is today.

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Grandpa Russell · Keeper of the Grounds & Family Traditions

Grandpa Russell lovingly maintains the lawns, gardens, and landscape, while also lending his remarkable talents to countless repairs and projects around the farmhouse.

Before guests arrive, he can often be found gathering fresh wildflowers for the tables, preparing firewood for the Nordic sauna and fire ceremonies, or adding a special finishing touch to the grounds.

He especially enjoys surprising guests with small gifts from the countryside—perhaps a freshly picked pumpkin, sweet corn from the field, or an apple pie from a local orchard.

His quiet acts of kindness are part of the hospitality that makes Sundance Villa feel like home.

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Jim · Behind-the-Scenes Hospitality

My husband, Jim, contributes in countless ways to preparing the farmhouse and grounds for our guests. Whether helping with projects, welcoming arriving guests, or carrying luggage, his steady support helps make each retreat run smoothly.

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Torre · Tea Traditions & Nature Connection

My oldest son, Torre, lives out of state but enjoys returning to Sundance Villa to share his appreciation for the history and culture of tea. He has also helped guide guests through our nature immersion experiences.

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John · The Next Generation of Family Hospitality

My youngest son, John, helps Grandpa Russell care for the grounds, lawns, and edible herb and flower gardens when home from college. He also enjoys helping welcome guests and assisting with luggage upon arrival and departure.

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Together, these contributions reflect something we deeply value: hospitality is not simply a service we provide, but a family tradition we share.

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Our Wellness Philosophy · The Power of Connection:

At Sundance Villa, we believe that wellness encompasses more than physical health.

The relationships we nurture, the friendships we maintain, our sense of purpose, and our connection to the natural world all contribute to living well.

Our own retreat team reflects these principles. Three generations of family members, together with a lifelong childhood friendship, share in creating experiences that celebrate connection, creativity, kindness, and caring for others.

During our Physician-Led Wellness and Longevity discussions, we explore the evidence supporting a healthy living, meaningful relationships, positive lifestyle habits, stress management, restorative rest, and purposeful living.

Our hope is that guests leave not only feeling renewed, but also inspired to carry these principles into their everyday lives.

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A Family Legacy That Continues:

From the European immigrants who built our farmhouse in the 1890s to the generations who have cared for it since, Sundance Villa has always been shaped by family, friendship, and a love of the land.

We are honored to continue that legacy as a woman-owned and veteran-owned retreat, welcoming small groups of no more than eight guests to experience the restorative beauty of Wisconsin’s Driftless Region.

Whether you join us for a weekend wellness retreat, a single-day experience, or a peaceful countryside stay, we hope you feel the warmth of our family’s hospitality and the meaningful connections that have made this place special for more than a century.

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We look forward to welcoming you,

Jodi, AnaCapri, Sally & the Sundance Villa Family

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Let’s Connect- Email us- historicdriftlessretreat@gmail.com

Get in touch so we can start working together. See our "Book Now" page to check availability and to book your retreat now.

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