About Us
About The Sugarhouse
Set across 280 acres in the Hudson Valley, The Sugarhouse at Stone House Farm is a private 1854 estate where pastoral beauty and quiet refinement meet. Rolling pastures, timeworn barns, and golden hour light create a setting that feels both storied and deeply personal. With only one celebration hosted at a time and no double bookings, each gathering unfolds with intention, privacy, and unhurried attention.
Family-owned and thoughtfully stewarded, The Sugarhouse is more than a venue, it is a home. The Mace family welcomes each guest as an extension of their own, honoring the belief that life’s most meaningful moments deserve space, care, and presence.
Our Founder
Chef-Owner Douglas Mace has spent his life in pursuit of memorable experiences. His journey began in the kitchen at a young age bussing tables, washing dishes, and earning his place in the rhythm of service. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Douglas built his foundation in fine dining kitchens before spending over a decade in the hospitality world, holding leadership roles from Executive Chef to Director of Food & Beverage.
Unlike many chefs, Douglas understands that cuisine and service are inseparable. From large-scale event operations to intimate private dining, his career has been shaped by the belief that gathering around a table carries rare meaning. Meals mark milestones. They slow time. They turn moments into memory.
In 2022, when he first stepped onto the Stone House Farm property, the vision was immediate. The estate would become a destination for refined, chef-driven celebrations in New York’s Hudson Valley; a place where hospitality feels personal and every detail is considered.
A Family Vision
Douglas and his wife, Ayla, lead The Sugarhouse together while embracing the beautiful responsibility of raising their young family. Their own love story began over a home-cooked dinner in Denver, a meal that quietly shaped the course of their future. That belief in the power of gathering remains at the heart of everything they create.
Whether hosting a wedding, milestone celebration, or private event, their approach is the same: one celebration at a time, thoughtfully curated, warmly executed, and grounded in hospitality that feels both elevated and genuine.
The Mace family invites you to become part of the story here at The Sugarhouse.