Healdsburg Favorite Wineries Close By??
 

We will be in Healdsburg for 3 nights in September. We like all different types of wines,so that is not an issue for us in choosing which wineries to visit. We are looking for scenic areas, unique features, entertainment??? Which wineries would you suggest visiting close to Healdsburg??

You can start just south of town where "J" and Rodeny Strong share a parking lot. Following the same road into town you pass the family-run Foppaino Winery. Then you can take Westside road to several, or, go north of bit on 101 to Ridge Lytton Springs, then cross over into Dry Creek Valley for a bunch more.
J, Lytton Springs, Richoli (on Westside Road) and Ferrari-Carano Vineyards in the Dry Creek area are my favorites. Also Mazzocco Vineyards on Lytton Spring Road and the Rosenblum Cellars tasting room in downtown Healdsburg.

Ferrari-Carano has beautifully landscaped area separate from the winery, worth visiting.

Stop at the Chamber of Commerce as you come into Hbg and ask them for a Wine Road map. They can also suggest different wineries. There are several tasting rooms around the town square, and on adjacent streets. There are free concerts in the square on Tues nights, and a lovely Farmer's market on both Saturday morning, and Tues. afternoon. Rodney Strong often has concerts on Sunday afternoon. My favorite winery is Preston, which is on W. Dry Creek "Behind" Ferrari Carrano.

J is a great stop for the food/wine pairings. Do it around lunch time and you won't have to bother with lunch! I have many favorites in the area Papapietro-Perry, Amphora, Wilson and Dutcher Crossing. However, if you're staing in town, definitely do a "wine walk". Hoof it to the various tasting rooms in town, stopping to shop occasionally. Pick up a bottle of something you like (Rosenblum!) and slide into Willi's for tapas. They have a $25 corkage fee- a good thing.

Thank you for your suggestions. Do any of the vineyards specialize in making champagne, that you would suggest that we try?

For sparkling wine (champagne) try "J" or Iron Horse (near Forrestville) and there is always the mass producer, Korbel. I think Jepson makes a sparkler, but am not sure.