Hello,
Well, I've finally narrowed my search for a two night stay in Healdsburg to either the Grape Leaf Inn or the Camellia Inn. They both sound very nice, but I guess I'm just looking for a little push to one or the other. If anyone has any input I'd really appreciate the help.
Any info about resturants, special wineries, tours, etc. is also welcome.
Thanks!

Sunshine~I haven't stayed at the Grape Leaf but it does look nice and you will be in close walking distance to the center of town. We(as you might know) always stay at the Camellia..it's a fine place and has a pool which is a big plus! To my memory you are going in September..this could be a mighty hot time of year..which might make the pool a desirable option. See the Wine-O's thread under other topics for a discussion of the wineries in the area(we just returned). We've eaten many places in the area and always book Ravenous for our favorite meals. This is in a small house close to the Plaza. Good fresh food..always an interesting vegetarian option..no attitude and lots of locals. Reservations are essential especially on the weekend.(they are closed Mon and Tues I think). What wines do you like and what are you looking for in a winery..let us know and that might help narrow the recommendations.

Sunshineboca~I've been looking at the Grape Leaf site and trying to compare and contrast it with the Camellia which I know quite well. From what one can glean from websites, the Grape Leaf looks a bit more "done up". The rooms at Camellia have antiques although there is a mix of wicker and collectibles(as they are called). The Camellia while comfortable does seem a bit more worn around the edges to us on our last visit(last week). Our room at Camellia had its own ac although it seemed to be somewhat tempermental. The ac at Grape Leaf is billed as "central". The breakfast table at Camellia is communal while the tables at Grape Leaf look to be individual. For some folks this can be the defining point of choice. The Camellia does have wine tastings of the owner's wines
which seem to happen every few days. There is nothing like the "speak easy" at the Grape Leaf. One sits in what was a sunroom, I believe, and samples his wines. The Camellia seems to be closer to town. The blocks in Healdsburg are relatively flat,short,easily travelled.
You will be safe in either part at night. I already wrote you of the pool issue. For wine expertise, it is a hard call between the two. It is so easy to travel around the Healdsburg area for tastings I don't frankly think it would make much difference. Do check out www.wineroad.com for a great map of the area. As I mentioned previously, if you write of your wants for wines I'm happy to offer what knowledge I can. I hope this helps you with your decision.

Hi Pam,
Thanks for your thoughtful responses. I appreciate the time you have spent to help me make a decision.
I've decided on The Grape Leaf. I spoke with the innkeeper, who was real sweet and helpful. It's more expensive than The Camellia but I guess I can find justification since it's just 2 nights.(it's only money, and vacation too!!)
I'll let you know in Sept. after our visit how it was.
Now on to the really important things--- WINE and food.
We are lovers of Zinfandels especially. Sounds as if we're in the right area for the nice big Zins. I'm not as fond of the more comercial, tour oriented wineries as of the more picturesque, smaller ones that taste better wines. (not that I know much about this) Any suggestions are welcome.
I hope we have the opportunity to try Ravenous. I'll have to check their hours, as we will be in Healdsburg on Mon and Tues nights.
Thanks again,
Ellen

Zins are as overrated as Kauai!

Funny "The Grape" should come up. We will be trying to stay there as part of a wedding party next May/June for a wedding in G'ville.
Then we have to beat meat back to Sackatomatos for the rest of the Jazz Jubilee.
The things I do for this economy.
$) $)
If you pick The Grape, let us know how it turns out.
Mahalo,
Kal

Ellen~check out the "Wine-Os" thread under other topics. We are big Zin fans as well and just returned from wine buying in Healdsburg. You can see the list of what we bought and where we tasted.

Ellen, if you get a chance, drive to Meeker in Geyserville. They are a hoot there! If you like "big reds", you'll find no better. Also, if you can find a bottle of Wilson red anything, they are delicious. I'm not sure if they're open for tastings, we stumbled in there, met the owner and they were great. We celebrated our first anniversary with a Wilson wine, it's that good. The best Zin made, IMO, is Campus Oaks Old Vine Zin.It is my house wine, but I'm stingy. Has a smoke and oak flavor, yum. If you'd like my Napa/Sonoma trip report, write me at [email protected] -don't forget to drop in at the tasting room in Healdsburg- especially if you're through driving for the day!

LLinda, I hope you are not talking about the wine tasting room around the corner from the Oakville Grocery. I was disappointed -- it wasn't even wine from the region.

You will LOVE the Grapeleaf Inn! We just spent 3 nights there and will definitely go back. Perfect location, beautiful rooms, great breakfast, and wonderful wine tasting each evening behind the "secret door!"

It's right down the street from the Seghesio family winery - they make some awesome zinfandels that you should try!

Borrowing for a moment to say to Budman~we were up in Healdsburg last weekend. Bought a few bottles at Sapphire Hill-see just what under the Wine-O's thread under "Other Topics"forum.

There were several tasting rooms. We did get to sample area wines at one; sorry, I'm not certain of the actual name. Pam? We tasted a couple which convinced us to visit the wineries later. If you get a chance, drive to Amphora for a private taste/tour. The owner is great- we got to "tap off" the barrel and he has a grape stomping event for guests at certain times.

There are many tating rooms. The ones
I know about that have two or more local wineries are The Meeker and The Locals Tasting Rooms in Geyserville and Sapphire Hill which shares with another small winery. This doesn't mean there aren't others. Rosenblum has a tasting room next door to Oakville but their wines are delicious. Most are from the Healdsburg area vineyards but they do have some from vineyards in Napa and Contra Costa. This is a good place for Zins.