Bay Area Buzz Healdsburg Getaway Guide

Healdsburg is a wonderful Bay Area wine weekend getaway. It’s not too far, so even coming for a day trip is very doable. We came for the wine, but discovered all of the other great agriculture practices happening in the area. It is truly a farming community. Healdsburg has a vast variety of food and drink options ranging from quick and casual, to a slow and relaxing meal.

We had a great weekend away with friends and can’t wait to return to see more of what this great town has to offer! Below is a list of what we experienced on our trip. Let us know your Healdsburg favorites in the comments below.

Stay

Two Thirty-Five Luxury Suites is an amazing boutique luxury suites hotel in Healdsburg. It is the ideal place to stay if you have a large group. All of their suites have three master bedrooms so everyone gets their privacy, including their own (very large) bathroom. The suites are well maintained, modern, and have all of the amenities including a full kitchen, tv’s in all rooms, and more. It’s also conveniently located right smack in downtown Healdsburg. You can’t ask for much more than this when booking a weekend getaway.DSC02345.JPGIMG_9908_sm.jpgFossCreek8-slideshow.jpg

Drink

Trentadue Winery is located in Geyserville (Sonoma County) and have just a new wine experience that we can imagine ourselves at right about now! Enjoy a flatbread for two specially crafted using local ingredients by Park Avenue Catering paired with a hand-picked selection of Trentadue Winery award-winning Wines! Each flatbread contains three separate toppings to be paired with three separate wines, a treat for your tastebuds. 😋

SUTRO Wine Co. is a Female, Small-family owned brand created by Winemaker Alice Sutro. All fruit is estate fruit grown at Warnecke Ranch in Healdsburg, CA. Grapes grown in this Volcanic Terroir create wine that is strong and charismatic! They currently offer a unique 45 minute nature hike at historic Warnecke Ranch & Vineyard, home to SUTRO Wine Co. Discover the volcanic terroir of vine-covered Mayacama benchlands rising out of the narrow Russian River corridor. Carry home an intimate understanding of the aromatic journey from soil to wine glass for your follow up virtual tasting with the winemaker.

Sutro Wine Co. Hike Virtual Tasting
Sutro Wine Cabernet Sauvignon

Gary Farrell is synonymous with Pinot in Healdsburg…and we sure do love a great glass of Pinot Noir! Their tasting room is located atop a hill with gorgeous views. Tastings are by appointment early, so call ahead of time. They have a few choices for tasting experiences. We enjoyed the “Sense of Place Terroir Tasting” and were treated to a curated flight of current release wines as well as library vintages in their private tasting salon.

They just came out with their new Royal Blue label for their single vineyard wines for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. They have been making their award winning single varietal wines for more than three decades in the Russian River Valley.

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Da Vero is not only a winery, but they also have olive groves, animals, fruits and veggies. Their whole farm is biodynamic, which means no chemicals and a very diverse range of plants and animals. Their grounds are spectacular, so make sure you have time to wander around, see their impressive willow circle, and perhaps even enjoy a picnic. For special tastings, call to make a reservation ahead of time, but casual walk-ins are also welcome. Don’t forget to taste their olive oil, we couldn’t help but buy ourselves a bottle.IMG_9917.JPGDSC02388_smDSC02398_sm

Lancaster Estate is a beautiful property with divine wines! We especially enjoyed their wine cave which was a great escape from the heat outside. The Alexander Valley is emerging as a leading location for producing Bordeaux style Cabernet-based blends and Lancaster Estate’s wine fits the bill.  We enjoyed a private tasting in the wine cave among bottles from their vintage collection. Lancaster Estate wines are great for aging and are always changing in taste and complexity. Lancaster Estate also has a giant mansion on site that can be used as rental for big parties or family gatherings.File-Aug-09,-4-00-50-PM_sm.jpg

Medlock Ames is a boutique winery located on a beautiful piece of land hidden away from the main roads of Healdsburg. Medlock Ames was one of the first wineries really dedicated to keeping the land organic and healthy. Only 55 of their 338 acres are farmed. They chose to leave the majority of the land in it’s natural state – leaving acreage for oaks and wildflowers to grow and plenty of room for wildlife to roam free. All of the water used on the farm comes from ponds located on site. They’ve also placed many owl boxes throughout the vineyard and use the owls as a natural way of keeping pests away. On our tour we learned about all of the very cool ways Medlock Ames strives to keep the land natural and happy, all while producing unique and delicious wines!DSC04906IMG_9931.JPGDSC02485_sm.jpg

Seghesio Family Vineyards is located in a quiet Healdsburg neighborhood and has beautiful towering oak trees. You can enjoy a tasting in their indoor tasting room or opt to lounge outside with a bottle of wine and some house cured meats or cheese platter. They also have bocce ball courts to enjoy a fun game with friends and family.

Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves has everything you need for a picturesque perfect day in Wine country. With views overlooking surrounding vineyards, grassy areas for picnics, wine caves with private tastings or tasting flights, Bella could be a one stop shop for all things wine. They have a variety of tours and tastings to choose from to suite all guest’s tastes and preferences!

Kobler Estate Winery is located a little south of Healdsburg in the town of Sebastopol. They have been producing wine since 1982 in the Russian River Valley with many highly rated wines. They produce a variety of wines including Pinot Noir and Syrah.

Young & Yonder Spirits is a fun place to visit to mix things up a bit. We all know Healdsburg makes great wine, but they are also home to this fantastic distillery. Visit for a tasting of their spirits: vodka, gin, absinthe, and bourbon, or try one of their mixed cocktails. Have you ever experienced an absinthe fountain? Now is your chance.young and yonder spirits healdsburg

Eat

Amy’s Wicked Slush is the perfect cool down treat on a hot summer’s day. They specialize in slush and soft serve, we love the splits: both of them together in one cup! They have tons of juicy and unique flavors, add drizzles and toppings to make a creation all your own. Their portions are big, so be prepared!amy's wicked slush healdsburg

Costeaux is a classic French Bakery located in downtown Healdsburg. They have the best brunch and cases full of breads, cookies, cakes, and other treats. We enjoyed a lovely Sunday brunch here. It gets quite busy, so we suggest going early and snagging a table if you have a larger party. There is something on the menu for everyone; popular benedicts, omelettes, or go sweet and try their cinnamon walnut bread french toast. You can’t leave without snagging something from their sweets case for later. Their filled florentines are to-die-for!Costeaux French Bakery HealdsburgCosteaux French Bakery Healdsburg

Moustache Baked Goods is the perfect stop for a sweet treat. Cupcakes are their specialty and we love that they even have gluten free options for those with dietary restrictions. It would be hard to pick a favorite flavor, but if we had to choose it would be the Carrot Cake. Who can resist a delicious cream cheese frosting? Not me!moustache baked goods Healdsburg Cupcakesmoustache baked goods Healdsburg Cupcakes

Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pie Bar is conveniently located in the Healdsburg Square. Their ice cream is some of the best we’ve had–flavored perfectly with fresh ingredients. The pies are scrumptious as well. One of our favorite treats were their homemade oreo ice cream sandwiches!noble folk ice cream and pie healdsburg

Taste of Tea is the perfect place to wind down after a day of wine tasting. They offer an exquisite menu of unique crafted teas and tea cocktails (non-alcoholic). They also have a great lunch menu including tasty chashu ramen, curries, sobas, and our favorite, the green tea soba salad. If you are a dessert person you will love it here. We can never say no to a green tea sundae, or mochi ice cream.

For a more in depth tea experience visit their relaxation room where you will be guided through a tea tasting and also enjoy a green tea foot soak, facial mask, hand and nail towel and warm herbal neck wrap. Taste of Tea is truly a special place, we can’t wait to go back and check out the relaxation room!DSC04900_smDSC02455_sm

Lucia is a New Portuguese restaurant located in downtown Healdsburg. They have a cozy patio and comfortable indoor seating. Chef Manuel and Lucia are a brother and sister team who opened this restaurant a few years ago. The menu is a wonderful blend of traditional Portuguese dishes with a little twist to keep things interesting. Lucia is open daily for lunch, dinner, and happy hour.  We enjoyed our dinner there and highly recommend any seafood dish! The mac and cheese, although unexpected was a highlight as well.DSC02407_smDSC04879_sm

The Wurst is just as fun as its namesake. This restaurant is kick back and perfect for a quick snack or a break from wine tasting and walking about downtown. The menu includes a variety of sausages, burgers, fries, and custards to finish up the meal. They also have a variety of rotating beers on tap and live music on the patio. Grab a beer and stuff your face with the “wurst” while you enjoy your time in beautiful wine country. The Jalapeño Cheddar Brat was definitely our favorite here!DSC02499_sm.jpg

El Gallo Negro is located in the small town of Windsor, 10 minutes south of Healdsburg. Their bar serves a large variety of tequila and mezcal, while the kitchen serves authentic Oaxacan dishes perfect for filling up the stomach after a full day of wine tasting. They are open every day of the week for breakfast, lunch, or dinner so make sure to schedule it into your day. Don’t forget to try the mole!

See

Healdsburg’s Town Square is where it’s happening. Here you’ll find plenty of restaurants, shops, tasting rooms and galleries to spend a whole afternoon perusing. Take a rest on a bench or in the gazebo of the centrally located park. DSC02477_sm.jpg

The Healdsburg Farmer’s Market is worth a stop if you are in town for the weekend. It’s located downtown and most of the sustainable produce comes from within 10 miles! In addition to fresh, seasonal produce, meats, fish, cheeses, eggs, bread, and flowers, there are also many local food vendors so you can grab a quick breakfast or lunch. Check out their website for up to date locations and hours.DSC02349File Aug 09, 4 02 58 PM

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2 Comments Add yours

  1. You forgot:

    Campofina & Bravas for some great eats!

    The Parish for breakfast

    Parkland Farms Open Space for hiking and dog walking close to town

    The Raven Film Center for movies

    Cocktails at Duke’s

    Tuesday music on the Plaza

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    1. we will have to check out those places next time! Thanks for the suggestions.

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