Location: Healdsburg
Top Things to do in Healdsburg
Top 10 Things to do in Healdsburg, California (CA)
Beautiful Northern California has many fabulous destinations, and the town of Healdsburg in Sonoma County is at the top of the list. Small town charm, beautiful landscapes and outstanding weather are just a few of the trademark qualities that make Healdsburg so popular. Healdsburg combines five-star cuisine, rolling hills and world-acclaimed wine growing appellations for an experience you will never forget. If you love the vibrant outdoors and colorful festivals, you will love Healdsburg. In April, you can help harvest roses and distill them into fragrant rose oil and rosewater as part of the Classic Perfume Rose Harvest & Distillation Tours. An annual sea food dinner at the Healdsburg Fire Department is also in April. From February to June, enjoy the "Russian River Good Old Days" exhibit at the Healdsburg Museum. And on the first Friday of the month, Williamson Wines sponsors an Epicurean Dinner at the Dry Creek Kitchen at Hotel Healdsburg.
Restaurants in Healdsburg
1. Alexander Valley Vineyards
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 355 reviews
Experience our historic property and taste award winning wines at our family owned estate winery located in Northern Sonoma County. Our Tasting Room is open by advance reservation daily with Seated Outdoor Tastings: Estate Tasting $10 or a Reserve Tasting $20 (Tasting fee waived with bottle purchase per person) or reserve a Vineyard Hike with Box Lunch $60. Enjoy the beautiful views of our 720 acre property and working winery. Since 1975 the our family has produced handcrafted estate grown and bottled wines. We are a Sonoma Green Business and CA Sustainable Winegrower. Our family creates wines of distinction for everyone!
Reviewed By clinden2001
It's always a spectacular time at AVV! The combination of a great variety of solid Alexander Valley wines to try (love the Redemption and the Cyrus), idyllic, quiet country scenery, and really really nice people make it top shelf. The property is beautiful, picnic tables make it a great place for a snack mid-day, and the wine-cave tour is really cool if you get the chance. You will be coming back for more!
2. Dry Creek Vineyard
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 783 reviews
Award Winning Family Owned Winery: beautiful picnic grounds, tasting room, private tastings, free Wi-Fi, a wide selection of wines including rare single-vineyard wines. David Stare founded Dry Creek Vineyard in 1972. Winemaking emphasis is on grapes from select Sonoma County vineyards, chosen for quality and character. Fume Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Dry Chenin Blanc, Reserve Chardonnay and Meritage are produced. Dry Creek has received over 1,000 medals for wines in 40 years.
Reviewed By ozczar - Lake Ozark, United States
We met Darren at the nightly wine tasting at The Healdsburg Inn (another great stop) and were invited to the winery for a private party. He put forth the effort to make our experience an exceptional one. Oh, and the wine is pretty good as well.
3. Gary Farrell Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 784 reviews
Open By Appointment Only. In the heart of the beautiful Russian River Valley, Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery offers a proud 35-year winemaking history and a unique sense of place. Perched atop a ridge along winding Westside Road, the winery offers a spectacular view of the sweeping valley below. Gary Farrell Winery benefits immeasurably from its long-term relationships with many of the Russian River Valley's most celebrated and sought-after vineyards including Rochioli, Allen, and Hallberg to name a few. Gary Farrell Winery helped put Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on the world stage, and the hallmark Gary Farrell wine style remains one of balance, elegance, texture and sense of place. Today these acclaimed wines can be enjoyed in their newly renovated Salon or upon the casual terrace and the view from the winery completes the picture.
Reviewed By I2133YXstevet - Boston, United States
Terrific views, GREAT wine and some outstanding cheese pairings at Gary Farrell. They were very responsible (social distancing) as well. We joined the Grand Cru before arriving, and the experience (and, did I mention, the wines? Just outstanding!) reaffirmed the decision. Can't wait until the next time!
4. Gracianna Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 641 reviews
Gracianna Winery is a family-owned business that symbolizes everyday gratitudes and graciousness in entertaining because our belief is that hosting a special meal with friends and family is an everlasting circle that fills all our lives. Visit our vineyard tasting room to sample our award-winning wines, and see the only vineyard in the world where the vines wear jewels -- medallions featuring the names of Gracianna Medallion Wine Club™ members.
Reviewed By KateD381 - Sonoma, United States
Following a spectacular drive through the Russian River valley, we were treated to a fabulous experience at Gracianna. In their beautiful outdoor tasting room, overlooking hills & vineyards, we tasted a carefully crafted, well-rounded portfolio served by the very charming & knowledgeable Cyndee, who enhanced the wonderful flavors with anecdotes & history. We then met the affable owner, who gave us a grand tour of the stunning property. Altogether, Gracianna, for us, fulfilled it’s mission by giving us the gift of gratitude-however, far from everyday!
5. Jordan Vineyard & Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 263 reviews
Tucked into the hills of Sonoma County's Alexander Valley, Jordan Vineyard & Winery welcomes guests by appointment for four unique tours and tastings. From perennial gourmet wine tastings with food pairing in our cellar room and walking tours through our iconic chateau, to epicurean excursions across our scenic property and festive holiday celebrations offered seasonally, there is something for everyone to enjoy. All tours include both walking and seated tastings, each featuring seasonal tastes from the Jordan chef paired with vintages of Jordan Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Jordan's Estate Tour & Tasting also includes driving. Advance reservations are required due to the intimacy of tastings. Inspired by the timeless elegance of French wine and food, Tom and Sally Jordan founded Jordan Vineyard & Winery in 1972. Their vision was to create a wine estate that produced food-friendly Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay to rival the finest in France--and to capture the essence of gracious hospitality. Today their son, John, builds upon their legacy. Library Tasting Mon-Sun: 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. (closed Sundays, December-March) Winery Tour & Library Tasting Mon-Sun: 11 a.m. (closed Sundays, December-March) Estate Tour & Tasting Thurs-Mon: 9:45 a.m. (May-October only) Holiday Tour & Tasting Mon-Fri: 2 p.m. (select dates in December)
Reviewed By GoGlobalGo - Hong Kong, China
While I may be a few months behind in reviews, this is one which still leaves a fantastic memory on our minds and palate! Every time we open a bottle, we reminisce about our half day spent at this gorgeous winery! If you are anywhere in Wine Country, this is definitely one tour not to be missed, the Estate Tour and Tasting. Reservations are a must and for good reason. This 3 hour tour is carefully curated, designed and crafted with an intimate and amazing experience showcasing the grounds, food and of course wine in this beautiful estate. What would a tour be without a fantastic guide? Christopher, truly made each guest feel like a close friend or family member, taking the time to answer questions and go above and beyond in sharing his knowledge and love of wine. Couldn’t have asked for a better guide! As for the tour...each stop gets better and better! Guests are driven around in a very roomy, comfy, air-conditioned passenger van to various locations on the premise. (Gardens, lake and summit (?) area with breathtaking views of the valley. The weather was gorgeous on our tour day (early Aug) but I'd suggest comfortable shoes, sunglasses and definitely an appetite and thirst! The tour is mostly standing, except of course, when being driven around or during the final course, lunch. At the end of the tour we were given a nice chunk of dry sausage to enjoy later with our wine we purchased!
6. Sapphire Hill Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 203 reviews
SAPPHIRE HILL WINERY AND TASTING ROOM, IN THE HEART OF SONOMA WINE COUNTRY, HEALDSBURG CALIFORNIA. Small lot producers of Dry Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah, Merlot and specialty Blends like our signature wine Cinque Gemma and Cabochon. Wines from Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley and Rockpile. Please visit our tasting room to sample our wines and call ahead to reserve for private tastings in our barrel room, the ultimate food and wine experience on weekends.
Reviewed By wineofile4ever
We've been club members for a couple years now and would recommend this club to everyone who loves good wine. They have an amazing selection of wines and the giant bonus of super fun pick up parties with scrumptious food. It's great being part of the Sapphire Hill family!!
7. MacRostie Winery and Vineyards
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 144 reviews
"The MacRostie Estate House is OPEN Thursday-Monday, 10am-4pm, for to go sales and order pick-up, but temporarily closed for onsite tastings. Our online shop is always open and we would love for you to consider supporting MacRostie and all of your favorite businesses online. Our team is available to respond to all questions and fulfill orders."
Reviewed By brmusicman - Chicago, United States
I was in Sonoma County visiting some friends from college for a mini-reunion. MacRostie came recommended from a friend with great knowledge of wine; he'd tried their pinot noir and loved it. We really enjoyed our visit! I recommend making a reservation in advance; we did so online just a couple of days before our visit, and the process was seamless. We did a seated tasting, sitting at an outdoor table. The view from the table was gorgeous! The winery specializes in chardonnay and pinot noir, and our tasting included a curated selection of both types of wine. We enjoyed several of the wines, and it was fun to compare each chardonnay and each pinot noir, giving you a sense of how both the grape's location and the winemaker's style affected each type offered. We purchased some pinot noir to bring home, where it was a hit. The service during our tasting was excellent, and the pace was just-right--leisurely. Highly recommended for both the experience and the wine itself.
8. Ferrari-Carano Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 512 reviews
Ferrari-Carano, located in picturesque Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, is home to world-class wines, five acres of award-winning gardens and breathtaking vineyard views. Taste Classic Wines in the Villa Fiore Wine Shop or taste Reserve Wines in the Enoteca located in the underground cellar. Tasting Rooms open daily. Tour and private tastings are available by appointment.
Reviewed By HeidiD451 - Lambertville, United States
We have found that each winery we visit in this area is more beautiful than the next, but it all be hard to top family owned Ferrari-Carano winery. With breathtaking grounds, a nice wine shop and wonderful pairings this winery located along Dry Creek Road outside of downtown Healdsburg, is worth a trip. We splurged on the cheese and chocolate tasting ($50), which although pricey, mirrors the expense of the wines (the wines we tasted ranged from $34-90). This wound up being a private tasting, and we were shown to a nicely appointed room downstairs where wines were poured, each with a small slice of cheese and a chocolate. Our guide suggested we taste the cheese first, then the wine, then follow with the wine and chocolate. The pairings were excellent and great complements. We got to taste the Cab, reserve Cab, Tresor, Prevail and Prevail Back Forty. I liked all the wines, and even cheese I don't normally love was good as well. The cheeses and chocolates were locally sourced. Following the tasting we spent some time walking through the gardens. This was a very nice experience, and will be very difficult to beat.
9. J Vineyards & Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 225 reviews
Renowned for our inspiring wine tasting experience, we encourage you to join us at the sleek J Visitor Center to experience our Russian River Valley wines. Taste a range of sparkling and varietal selections - from Brut Rose to Pinot Noir - while you enjoy the elegant setting that includes a striking original art installation created by Gordon Huether and inspired by our wines. Enjoy sparkling and varietal wines while you enjoy the atmosphere and discover why Sunset Magazine named J Vineyards & Winery the “Best Winery Tasting Room in the West.” Enjoy the J Signature Tasting with our signature wine flight that includes a selection of 5 of our Russian River Valley sparkling and varietal wines. Join us in one of our Legacy reserve rooms for an exclusive sampling of our award winning Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sparkling Wines available exclusively through our Tasting Room. The Bubble Room is the ultimate Russian River Valley tasting experience. In a beautifully appointed full-service tasting salon, you and your guests will enjoy an exclusive tasting including rare Russian River Valley library and small-production wines, served with delicious wine country fare.
Reviewed By 565brentv - Chagrin Falls, United States
One of the best tasting we had in the region. The cheese try was wonderfully matched to the wine. The service was very attentive, and explained their winery very well. We were not rushed at all and offered generous pours. The wine was a little expensive.
10. Healdsburg Plaza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 523 reviews
Reviewed By 245SusanS245 - Alameda, United States
When looking for a respite from the craziness of the big cities, this is the place to come! The plaza is calm and enchanting and surrounded by book shops, restaurants, cooking stores, elevated grocery and deli shops, wine tasting nooks, incredible ice cream place, elegant and quirky retail... Go for a weekend or week of relaxation and enjoyment.
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