This article was originally published on Savored Journeys.
Healdsburg is a charming city located right in the center of the action in Sonoma County, and while visitor often discover it as part of a larger wine-tasting trip to the Sonoma Valley, it’s a destination all on its own, where you can easily spend a long weekend.
Healdsburg is the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine and a view at nearby wineries, eat at amazing restaurants, and enjoy the beautiful countryside. Wine Tasting in Healdsburg is a great experience and will create many positive memories.
» Looking for more inspiration along the route? Check out all our guides to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Diego. Find the best beaches in Monterey, waterfalls in Southern California, and national parks.
Whether you spend your time in town or venture to the surrounding countryside, there are endless possibilities for wineries to visit and dozens of Healdsburg wineries and restaurants to enjoy. It is easy to get around, with an abundance of possibilities within walking distance of each other, and the town itself is a great example of small town America.
» Also see our guides on Napa Valley wine tasting, Paso Robles Wine Tasting, or Santa Barbara Wine Tasting.
What to Do in Healdsburg
There are many activities to do in Healdsburg and the surrounding area. We like to mix and match, for a fun-filled weekend.
- Wine tasting tour
- Wine Tasting and Food Pairing Guided Walking Tour
- Horseback riding tour
- Kayaking tour on the Russian River
- Bike and wine tasting tour
How to Get to Healdsburg
Healdsburg is located about a 1 hour 15-minute drive from San Francisco. It’s a quick jaunt up Highway 101, which is also a very pretty drive and can be done as part of a larger California road trip if you’re so inclined.
The closest airport to Healdsburg is Santa Rosa airport, which is served by Alaska Airlines, United, American, and Sun Country.
Flights into the Bay Area airports can be a bit cheaper and are the way to go for anyone coming from an International destination, but then you have the drive to tack on.
Once you’ve landed at Santa Rosa airport, it’s a short 15-minute drive to downtown Healdsburg. This is my preferred option for ease and convenience. You can rent a car at the Santa Rose airport to get around.
Where to Stay in Healdsburg
There are a lot of great places to stay in Healdsburg. Check out the many Healdsburg hotel deals on Booking.com to find accommodations that suit you.
If you want to stay in complete luxury, you have a choice of Hotel Healdsburg right in the heart of the city (location, location, location), the Calderwood Inn, featuring an evening wine tasting hour on the terrace each evening and just a 10-minute walk from Healdsburg Plaza, or the Hotel Les Mars, a romantic French inspired hotel.
For a more budget-conscious stay, we like H2 Hotel and Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza.
Wine Tasting in Healdsburg and Wineries You Must Try
No matter where you stay in Healdsburg city center, you can easily walk to a number of wine tasting rooms, which makes wine tasting very convenient because you don’t have to worry about a designated driver. You can just enjoy yourself, relax, and experience the wine.
Healdsburg Plaza Wineries
- Williamson Wine Tasting Room
- Siduri Wine Louge
- Murphy-Goode Winery Tasting Room
- Toad Hollow Vineyards
- Hawley Winery
- Selby Winery
- Valdez Family Winery
- Rockpile Vineyard
Surrounding Wineries
- Geyser Peak Winery
- Blanchard Family Wines
- Breathless Sparkling Wines
- Sapphire Hill Winery
- Longboard Vineyards
- Pezzi King
- Davis Family Vineyards
Our Favorites
Stephen & Walker Winery
A small, artisanal family owned winery, Stephen & Walker has a classy wine bar located close to downtown that we pop into every time we’re in Healdsburg. The friendly service along with the award winning wines makes Stephen & Walker one of our favorite wineries in Healdsburg. We’re even wine club members because of it. If you’re a red wine fan, you have to stop in for a taste of their cult wines – the Zinfandel and the Cabernet Sauvignon are outstanding. And they have a port too.
Location: 1500 Grove Street
Hours: Daily from 11AM to 7PM
Thumbprint Cellars
The tasting room for boutique winery, Thumbprint Cellars, is artsy and fun, but also warm and inviting. The “tasting lounge”, as they call it, doubles as an art gallery featuring works by local artists. It’s open every day and you can pop in without a reservation if you haven’t thought ahead. They also have events like live music, happy hours, and book readings, so be sure to check their calendar of events. Thumbprint also offers cheese and charcuterie plates to go along with the wines.
Location: 102 Matheson St
Hours: Daily 11:00am – 6:00 pm
Seghesio Family Vineyards
Located just a few blocks from the downtown area is the Seghesio Family Vineyards. This is one of the oldest wineries in the area, started in 1895. They specialize in Zinfandel and Italian varietals. It’s a must-visit when in Healdsburg, for the wine and also for the wonderful space and activities. It’s a beautiful large winery with lots of outdoor tables. You can take a tour of the vineyards and the winery, and then enjoy a tasting of their wines. They also have a picnic area where you can enjoy some wine and food with your friends and family.
Location: 700 Grove St
Hours: By appointment daily
Williamson Wines
Williamson Wines is a family-owned winery that’s known for its delicious wines and friendly staff. They offer a variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. You can enjoy a tasting in their beautiful tasting room, or you can take a tour of the vineyards and the winery. They also have a wine and food pairing experience that’s worth checking out. They’re open every day for indoor or outdoor patio tastings.
Location: 134 Matheson St, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Hours: 11am-7pm every day
Selby Winery
Selby Winery is a boutique winery located just off the plaza in Healdsburg that’s known for its small-batch wines. The winery is 100% owned and operated by Susie Selby. She offers a variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel. You can enjoy a tasting in the outdoor patio from 11am to 5:30pm every day. Make reservation on their website! Selby Winery produces over sixteen different varietals and has won numerous awards and accolades.
Location: 215 Center Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Hours: 11am-5:30pm every day
Aeris Tasting Room
Aeris Tasting Room is a unique winery that’s known for its innovative wines. Here you can taste wines made from the first Carricante and Nerello Mascalese grapes ever grown in California. And taste Carricante from the town of Milo, the “Grand Cru” region for Carricante on the Etna volcano in Sicily. They offer a variety of wines, including their popular sparkling wine and their unique orange wine.
Location: 337 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Hours: 11am-5pm every day, closed Monday
Wine Varieties in Healdsburg
Healdsburg is home to a wide variety of wine grapes, with many wineries producing award-winning wines that are sure to please any palate. Here are some of the most popular wine varieties you can expect to find in Healdsburg:
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied red wine that is known for its rich, complex flavors and aromas. Many wineries in Healdsburg produce excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, which pairs well with hearty dishes like steak and roasted vegetables.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a popular white wine that is known for its buttery, oaky flavors. Many wineries in Healdsburg produce excellent Chardonnay, which pairs well with seafood, poultry, and creamy pasta dishes.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel is a bold, spicy red wine that is often described as “jammy” due to its fruity flavors. Many wineries in Healdsburg produce excellent Zinfandel, which pairs well with grilled meats and spicy dishes.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is a lighter-bodied red wine that is known for its delicate, complex flavors. Many wineries in Healdsburg produce excellent Pinot Noir, which pairs well with lighter dishes like salmon and mushroom risotto.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing white wine that is often described as “grassy” due to its herbaceous flavors. Many wineries in Healdsburg produce excellent Sauvignon Blanc, which pairs well with salads, seafood, and light pasta dishes.
Sparkling Wines
Healdsburg is also home to several wineries that produce excellent sparkling wines. These wines are perfect for toasting special occasions or pairing with light appetizers.
Rosé
Rosé is a light, refreshing wine that is perfect for sipping on a warm summer day. Many wineries in Healdsburg produce excellent Rosé, which pairs well with light salads and grilled vegetables.
Overall, Healdsburg is a great destination for wine lovers, with a wide variety of wine grapes and styles to choose from. Whether you prefer bold, spicy reds or crisp, refreshing whites, you’re sure to find a wine that suits your taste buds in Healdsburg.
Where to Eat in Healdsburg
If you love food, you’re going to absolutely love Healdsburg. Some of the best restaurants in Sonoma County are located downtown and there are plenty of great experiences to be found for hungry wine tasters.
- Campo Fina for Italian
- El Farolito for Mexican
- KINSmoke for BBQ
- Barndiva for American
Oakville Grocery
My favorite place to pick up lunch is the Oakville Grocery. Located right in the town square, the grocery has an incredible selection of handmade sandwiches, salads and picnic fixings. They have a wide array of local artisan products to help you put together a truly gourmet lunch. I’ve never had a sandwich from Oakville that I didn’t love. They have breakfast sandwiches too, if you’re looking for some quick brunch. Eat it there or take away.
Location: 124 W. Matheson St
Healdsburg Bar & Grill
Another popular spot in town for a quick lunch is Healdsburg Bar & Grill. Sometimes, during the busy season, you need to put your name on the list but don’t fret, there are tasting rooms nearby that you can enjoy while you’re waiting.
The food is casual and good. And they have a nice outdoor patio that is perfect for enjoying the beautiful weather, during the more seasonable months. The best part is that you don’t have to drive anywhere to get there. It’s right in the heart of downtown.
Location: 245 Healdsburg Ave
Bravas
We’ve eaten Spanish tapas in Spain, so we know good tapas when we see them. Bravas does an outstanding job of serving up incredibly authentic tapas. The restaurant is in a cute little house a street over from the main street in Healdsburg, with a dark and romantic vibe inside and beautiful outdoor seating in the back.
We ordered about 10 dishes and loved every morsel that was put before us. The patatas bravas were crispy. The pulpo was tender and dressed perfectly in olive oil and paprika, just the way I love it. There’s nothing more to say. Bravas is a fantastic restaurant.
Location: 420 Center Street
Food and Wine Pairing
When it comes to wine tasting, pairing wine with food can enhance the experience. Fortunately, Healdsburg has plenty of wineries that offer food pairings. Here are some of the best wineries in Healdsburg that offer food and wine pairing experiences:
- Rodney Strong Vineyards: This winery offers a variety of food pairings, including cheese, charcuterie, and chocolate. The winery’s chef creates the pairings, which are designed to complement the flavors of the wine. You can enjoy the food pairings on the winery’s modern terrace, which overlooks one of the Chardonnay vineyards.
- Williamson Wines: This winery offers a unique food and wine pairing experience. The winery’s tasting room is designed to look like a kitchen, and the food pairings are prepared on-site. You can choose from a variety of food pairings, including cheese, chocolate, and even popcorn.
- Seghesio Family Vineyards: This winery offers a food and wine pairing experience that focuses on the winery’s Italian heritage. The food pairings include Italian meats, cheeses, and bread, and are designed to complement the flavors of the wine. You can enjoy the food pairings on the winery’s outdoor terrace, which overlooks the vineyards.
- J Vineyards & Winery: This winery offers a food and wine pairing experience that focuses on farm-to-table cuisine. The food pairings feature seasonal ingredients sourced from the winery’s own gardens and local farms. You can enjoy the food pairings in the winery’s elegant tasting room, which features panoramic views of the vineyards.
- Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery: This winery offers a food and wine pairing experience that focuses on wine and cheese. The food pairings include artisanal cheeses sourced from local creameries, and are designed to complement the flavors of the wine. You can enjoy the food pairings in the winery’s cozy tasting room, which features a fireplace and views of the vineyards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the most beautiful wineries to visit in Healdsburg?
Healdsburg is home to some of the most beautiful wineries in California. If you’re looking for stunning views and picturesque surroundings, be sure to visit Robert Young Estate Winery, Jordan Vineyard & Winery, and Ferrari-Carano Winery. These wineries offer breathtaking views of the surrounding vineyards and hills, making for a truly unforgettable experience.
What are some Healdsburg wineries that offer food?
If you’re looking to pair your wine with some delicious food, there are several wineries in Healdsburg that offer food options. Some of the best wineries to visit for food include Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery, Francis Ford Coppola Winery, and Seghesio Family Vineyards. These wineries offer everything from light bites to full meals, all designed to complement their wines.
Which boutique wineries are worth visiting in Healdsburg?
Healdsburg is known for its boutique wineries, which offer unique and limited-production wines. If you’re looking to explore some of the best boutique wineries in the area, be sure to visit Amista Vineyards, Merriam Vineyards, and Thomas George Estates. These wineries offer a more intimate and personalized experience, with knowledgeable staff who are passionate about their wines.
How many wineries should I aim to visit in a day in Sonoma?
While there’s no hard and fast rule about how many wineries you should visit in a day, it’s generally recommended to limit yourself to no more than three or four. This will allow you to fully enjoy each winery and take your time tasting the wines, without feeling rushed. It’s also important to remember to drink responsibly and have a designated driver or transportation plan in place.
CONCLUSION
Now that you know where to eat and drink in Healdsburg, California, it’s time to book that trip to Sonoma you’ve been wanting to take. You are going to love the Healdsburg wineries!
Have you already been to Healdsburg? Tell us where your favorite places are to eat and drink when you’re there.
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Laura is a travel fanatic who loves seeing and doing new things. She lives in Ventura, CA, and spends a lot of time exploring California’s cities, beaches, and national parks.
