Some of our favorites are:
Dry Creek Valley Tour
Dry Creek is one of the prime growing regions for Zinfandel and
Cabernet. Leaving Healdsburg via Dry Creek Road brings you to the
small and intimate Wilson (all reds), Unti (great grenache), Talty (zins), and David Coffaro Wineries. Travel on to
Family Vineyards (everything from A-Zin) and Peterson Winery
(appointment only during the week), and take in the breathtaking valley views from
their property. Make sure you stop at the Dry Creek Olive Oil
company next door the Family Winery. A little further up the road brings you to Lake
Sonoma (for hiking or just looking), Sbragia Winery (killer zins and
cabs) and a
beautiful overlook. Heading back toward town, a stop at Ferrari-Carano Winery--their gardens
are incredible and definitely worth a
stop. Head west
to West Dry Creek Road, and your next stop is Bella where
they are tasting in their wine cave or call ahead to schedule a
wine cave tour. Don't miss Quivira's organic and bio-dynamic
vineyard and garden, and completely solar-powered facility . Then it’s on to our
favorite tour at Michel-Schlumberger (beautiful Rhone-style wine). Going south on West
Dry Creek your next stop is Raymond Burr Vineyards where you’ll find
wonderful memorabilia in tribute to the late actor, and tour his
orchid greenhouse and sample some yummy cabernets. Other great stops on your
way back to town include Lambert Bridge,
Everett Ridge, and Mill Creek. Head back toward town with a final stop
at Alderbrook Winery to cap your day!
Alexander Valley Tour
A short drive north brings you to our largest and warmest valley.
Visit Trentadue for some delicious port tasting and
then Trione (love the bordeaux blend) before proceeding
to Geyserville, where you can stop at the bank-vault tasting room for
Meeker. Locals is a great stop for a presentation of several small local
family wineries, including Eric Ross and Hawley wines. Grab a pizza
for lunch at Diavola or Catelli's in Geyserville, or if you're not hungry yet, head south on Hwy 128 to
visit Stryker-Sonoma, Hawke, and don’t forget
to stop at the eclectic Jimtown Store for a little shopping and sample
their delicious deli. Proceed to the end of the valley at Fieldstone Winery
where for wine tasting (don't miss their sangiovese and port) and a picnic lunch
under their sprawling oaks. Head back toward town and stop at
Alexander Valley Vineyards (home of Cyrus Alexander, the
founder of the Valley), Stonestreet (big cabs here) and Sausal
(great old vine zins) before
heading back to town.
Russian River Valley Tour
Leaving town on Old Redwood Highway, you’ll want to stop at
Foppiano (great petite sirah), one of our oldest wineries, then visit
the wineries on Limerick Lane and Merriam on Los Amigos Road.
If you call ahead you can taste at Acorn Winery...a real treat! Continue on to J Winery
(for some sparkling) and Rodney Strong (great cabs). Meandering the back roads
make a stop at Copain (you may have to call ahead) and then work
your way over to Lynmar (awesome gardens), Dutton Goldfield
(delicious pinots and chardonnays), and Martin Ray (great cabs and a little bit of everything else too).
Meandering over to Westside Road, stop at Moshin, Arista
(for their beautiful Japanese gardens), and Rochioli. Visit the most photographed historic
Hop Kiln Winery before proceeding on to Matrix, Armida, and Mill
Creek Wineries for a great finish to the day.
Want to stay in town?
Right in Healdsburg, we have Harts Desire,
J. Keverson, Sapphire Hill and more--all in the Front Street Winery Group.
Just north of town you can visit Seghesio for wonderful Italian
varietals, play a little bocce ball, or by appointment only, a food/wine pairing
at their Family Table. Other
wineries include some of our favorites around the
Plaza like Selby, Portalupi, Thumbprint, LaCrema,
Kendall-Jackson, Williamson, and Murphy-Goode.
Next: For the Energetic
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