Hello! In two weeks, my husband and I will be spending Wednesday afternoon through Friday early afternoon in Healdsburg, CA. My plan was to spend Wednesday afternoon/evening in Healdsburg proper, enjoying the square and having dinner, and then visiting wineries on Thursday (any suggestions on a good route? There are so many! Also, do we need reservations to taste?). Finally, we have to leave Friday by 2:30, so thoughts on what to do before we head out? (will be flying out of STS airport)

Thanks for your time!

The Coppola winery! It is absolutely beautiful. I believe it's a little north of Healdsburg- not far.

Francis Coppola Presents Rosso&Bianco
tel. +1 (707.857.1400
300 Via Archimedes
Geyserville, CA 95441

Also, the Simi tasting room is lovely:
tel. +1 707.473-3232
tel. +1 800.746.4880
16275 Healdsburg Avenue
Healdsburg, CA 95448


Enjoy!

Gary Farrell in Healdsburg does some very nice Pinot Noir! ***kim***

For Pinot Noir & Chards, try the Russian River Wine Road (mostly that's Westside Road out of Healdsburg).
For Zins, Sav. Blanc, Cabs, thy Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys. Ridge Lyton Springs, which is on Lyton Springs Road off the 101 is great for reds. For sparklers there is "J" just a little south of Healdsburg and Iron Horse, near Forestville. Also in the Dry Creek area are Ferair-Carano and Fritz.
You can Google Russian River Wine Road and probably find out where you need reservations, but none of the ones I mentioned require reservations, unless you want to spend extra for the "J" Bubble Room.
Enjoy!

Ferrari Carrano has gorgeous gardens.

I would say that the one downside for the consumer in both Napa and Sonoma counties is the need for a designated driver who only sips and spits at the wineries. The roads were crawling with police when we were there in March, and they were clearly enforcing DUI/DWI laws with vigor.

No offense to Michelle, but Coppola went in there and brought the high prices and lower quality to the consumers. Simi was right off the main drag and too congested to enjoy- we walked out. Those two are the most commercial in the area. We've been there 4 times and my favorites are Papapetro-Perry, Ferrell, love "J", Dutcher Crossing, Wilson, Ferrari-Carrano. Also love the wineries of Alexander Valley...the quaint Johnson Family Vineyards and Robert Young.

While in Healdsburg Square, don't miss Rosenblum. FUN room! Also visit Camellia Cellars and Sapphire Hill.

As a local, I would recommend you visit Preston which is on West Dry Creek behind Ferrari Carano. Their Barbara is fantastic. They also have home baked bread, and olive oil from their property. Not at all touristy!!!

Thanks all. Regarding what Ackislander said regarding police enforcement, is this an issue we should think more about? We have a rental car but we were both planning on tasting. Ideas or suggestions?

just follow the simple plan...taste only what you want...we always split tastings. Sip. Spit out if it's not great. Keep water and cheese/crackers snacks with you. Eat a big breakfast and lunch.

My wife was just up in Healdsburg last weekend with two friends, and she was very enthusiastic about a place called Locals (http://www.tastelocalwines.com). It's sort of a collective where you can try a bunch of different wines by different small vintners. There's also a very good pizza parlor right next door, and a gift shop she was drooling over.

I don't have the names of either the pizza place or the gift shop, but they're supposedly all together in Healdsburg. She loved it; perhaps you will too.

That is a wonderful place, but it's a bit north of Healdsburg in Geyserville. Agree, not to be missed! The place next door has a bit more than pizza and is an excellent Italian restaurant, Santi.
I haven't been there in 2 years, but if Meeker Winery is still in Geyserville, it's a GREAT stop!

Linda & All,
Yes,Locals is in Geyserville, not Healdsburg and I am pretty sure
the pizza place next door(literally next door) to Locals is Diavola-
http://www.diavolapizzeria.com/
Dino Bugica, who was at Santi, opened it. Bugica is still exec chef at Santi.

R5

Oh, and leeni8 -
Healdsburg is less than a 20 minute drive from STS. BTW, It's a tiny airport as airports go

R5

Thanks for the tip about "Locals" - we will check it out! Thanks!

wow...didn't know there was new pizza place. What's the status with Meeker?

You have to check out Williamson Wines - it is right in Healdsburg Square - 134 Matheson Street.

It is owned by an Australian couple - Bill and Dawn. Hubby and I were there in May. They are delightful and so knowledgeable. They do food pairings with their wines. Everything was declicious and free. I could not stop talking it!

Here's a link to a trip report from our last visit in September 2007. I really enjoyed the Dry Creek area. Also, regarding the "enforcement", I agree with the advice to make sure you start out with something substantial in your stomach, sip water and eat crackers. Most of the wineries have a tasting fee now (although they may waive it if you buy wine) so it does get expensive. As you can see from my report, it's a wonderful area to visit.

Ooopps! Here's the link http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...e=MarieF&fid=1 I posted too quickly.

I'm having a bad day here...here's the link to the actual post as I'm sure you don't want to read all the others (in case anyone still cares??) http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35081738

Sorry...I'm leaving now!