DH and I are heading to Healdsburg for 3 days in September. We get in Monday night and check in (staying at the Old Town Apartment run by Camellia Inn). I am a big cheese fan and I enjoy wine (zins, pinot, syrah, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. DH is a big wine fan--really likes big reds as well as sweet Alsace type wines and gevertz(??) (I cannot spell that word for the life of me!). Here is my current thought on itinerary. I am not going to be drinking all of this--I intend to spit and/or share DH's glass. We will also tour one winery--not sure yet which one. Please let me know your thoughts on this itinerary/vineyard choices. Thanks!!

Tues:
Russian River Valley, Wine Tasting at Selby in Healdsburg, Farmers Market (cheese), dinner at Zinfandels
Wineries to include: Hop Kiln, Gary Farrell, Hartford Family. (supposedly Rochioli is good but I can't find it on the current Russian River map--is it still there?) Possible others include: Rodney Strong, Martinelli, Hanna

Wednesday:
Plaza Farms in am (cheese), Dry Creek Valley, Dinner at Cyrus.
Wineries to include: Michel Sclumberger, Preston, David Coffaro, Ridge/Lytton Springs, Bella. May include Mazzoco and Ferrari-Carono

Thursday:
Cheese shop stop, Alexander Valley, Dinner at Dry Creek Kitchen.
Wineries to include: Alexander Valley, Stryker Sonoma, Clos du Bois, Locals Tasting Room. May do Rosso & Bianco--not sure.

This agenda is amazing! How did you do your research?

I get almost all my research from these boards! I printed out 2 complete threads on Sonoma Valley wine country. (I planned a week in France completely from these boards!)

I started with the Fodors book and I added 2 others (I just feel comfortable with more info) I used the online websites recommended here for reservations (food and lodging). And I paid attention to the winery recommendations from other posters.

The cheese part (the 2 stores) were noted in the guidebooks. I also checked out the California cheese website for artisan cheese makers.

Then it comes down to--is this doable? Is this the best use of our time? And that is where all these great fodor members come in--thank you!

Hmmmmm.
Healdsburg is considered Sonoma County North, not Sonoma Valley.

Sonoma Valley is Kenwood, Glen Ellen,town of Sonoma, Boyes Hot Springs, etc. All of which are about an hour's drive south/south east of Healdsburg.

Also, Plaza Farms is closed. There was never a cheese shop, per se, in Plaza Farms. Bovolo may have carried some cheese - and they are the only tenant remaining of what was Plaza Farms - the rest of the space is a Copperfield's Bookstore.

Rochioli is nearly next to Hop Kiln.

In Alexander Valley, plan to have lunch at the Jimtown Store.
You do have rezzies for Cyrus, yes ?

R5

Thank you for the info. Plaza Farms closed? Well, I'm glad I know now as opposed to when I show up! I was looking for cheese in general there. The actual cheese shop is listed as being on Center with a name like "The Cheese Shop". I emailed the owner and saw the website. I am hoping it has not closed. (??)

By next to Hop Kiln, do you mean "walk across the driveway" or hop back into the car and go up the next driveway?

We do have reservations at Cyrus and Dry Creek Kitchen. I have to call for Zinfandel.

Have I given sufficient time for the wineries we want to visit? It is hard to get a feel for driving distances--IME mileage is not the best predictor when driving small roads/country side. TIA!