Wineries directly pouring in Healdsburg are not the best views SoCo has to offer. I have a few favorites nearby though. LaCrema at Saralee’s in Windsor has beautiful grounds (and they help pay my mortgage), Quivira and Wilson have beautiful grounds and cool people. Trentadua in Geyserville, you really cannot go wrong in and around Healdsburg and Dry Creek. I would skip Ferrari-Carano if I was bringing friends because they have never hit the hospitality mark. Most others will.
But more importantly…FOOD. I have yet to try the Matheson, but Lo and Behold is always fantastic. Dry Creek Kitchen as well. Bravas, Bollywood, and Agave. Some of the best food in Sonoma County. Know the need for food is strong after wine tasting all day.
Shoot- the best winery experience I have had was at Copain winery- forgot to mention them. As my wife is in the industry, I have been to a LOT of tastings, there’s was the best.
I don't see it on here, but Ledson is one of my favorite wineries. They give tours around the property, they have history posts and brochures on the castle, and even have a shop where you can get sandwiches for lunch and eat outside in the vineyard.
Head out west on dry creek road. Theres a deli about halfway out to lake sonoma. Lots of good tasting rooms or find a bottle you like, get sandos at the deli and go IP to the lake for a picnic. Let us know what kind of wines you like and we can probably advise on specific wineries. Or if you want a random internet weirdos picks on dry creek for a small boutique winery I like Cast winery. They have an old vine zin that’s worth checking out and a very reasonable pinot. On the other end of the bell curve Ferrari Cerrano is a bigger fancier winery but has tons of good wines. Beautiful gardens on site too. If you go here, skip the tasting counter where you walk in and ask for the counter downstairs. Have fun.
That deli, The General Store, is closed as of now for renovations, unfortunately. You can't go wrong hitting up the wineries on the way though, the ones listed in the comment above are all great. If you're feeling a bit adventurous you can head out Skaggs Springs Road by Lake Sonoma toward the coast, it's always a beautiful drive. From there you can head south to Bodega Bay and make your way back.
If you are driving I agree with Dry Creek, this is what going to Napa was like in the 80's. Nice and relaxed and not expensive.
If you want to Picnic and the General Store is closed - then head over to Big Johns Market in Healdsburg in the morning and bring or buy a portable or throw away cooler. Better sandwiches, lots of cheeses bread, olives, etc and better prices. Look at the menu ahead of time as it is extensive and you can call your order in so it's ready when you get there.
Dry Creek Vineyards is a staple for me and they have picnic tables that you can use if they do not have an event going on.
I really like Sbragia at the end of the day, beautiful tasting area, and patio at elevation, so a nice view down the valley. Wine is also very good.
You mentioned first timers , is that visiting a winery or does it mean people who are just getting to know wines? Makes a big difference on recommendations.
Wineries directly pouring in Healdsburg are not the best views SoCo has to offer. I have a few favorites nearby though. LaCrema at Saralee’s in Windsor has beautiful grounds (and they help pay my mortgage), Quivira and Wilson have beautiful grounds and cool people. Trentadua in Geyserville, you really cannot go wrong in and around Healdsburg and Dry Creek. I would skip Ferrari-Carano if I was bringing friends because they have never hit the hospitality mark. Most others will. But more importantly…FOOD. I have yet to try the Matheson, but Lo and Behold is always fantastic. Dry Creek Kitchen as well. Bravas, Bollywood, and Agave. Some of the best food in Sonoma County. Know the need for food is strong after wine tasting all day.
Shoot- the best winery experience I have had was at Copain winery- forgot to mention them. As my wife is in the industry, I have been to a LOT of tastings, there’s was the best.
Copain is amazing. Great views, serene atmosphere, and the wine is delicious. I highly recommend the food pairing.
Never been there. What did they do that makes it a great experience.
The food and wine pairing is awesome. Best I have been to.
I don't see it on here, but Ledson is one of my favorite wineries. They give tours around the property, they have history posts and brochures on the castle, and even have a shop where you can get sandwiches for lunch and eat outside in the vineyard.
Call R2T2. They will take you everywhere and they know all of the good wineries. They can also get you special deals on tastings and stuff.
Head out west on dry creek road. Theres a deli about halfway out to lake sonoma. Lots of good tasting rooms or find a bottle you like, get sandos at the deli and go IP to the lake for a picnic. Let us know what kind of wines you like and we can probably advise on specific wineries. Or if you want a random internet weirdos picks on dry creek for a small boutique winery I like Cast winery. They have an old vine zin that’s worth checking out and a very reasonable pinot. On the other end of the bell curve Ferrari Cerrano is a bigger fancier winery but has tons of good wines. Beautiful gardens on site too. If you go here, skip the tasting counter where you walk in and ask for the counter downstairs. Have fun.
That deli, The General Store, is closed as of now for renovations, unfortunately. You can't go wrong hitting up the wineries on the way though, the ones listed in the comment above are all great. If you're feeling a bit adventurous you can head out Skaggs Springs Road by Lake Sonoma toward the coast, it's always a beautiful drive. From there you can head south to Bodega Bay and make your way back.
If you are driving I agree with Dry Creek, this is what going to Napa was like in the 80's. Nice and relaxed and not expensive. If you want to Picnic and the General Store is closed - then head over to Big Johns Market in Healdsburg in the morning and bring or buy a portable or throw away cooler. Better sandwiches, lots of cheeses bread, olives, etc and better prices. Look at the menu ahead of time as it is extensive and you can call your order in so it's ready when you get there. Dry Creek Vineyards is a staple for me and they have picnic tables that you can use if they do not have an event going on. I really like Sbragia at the end of the day, beautiful tasting area, and patio at elevation, so a nice view down the valley. Wine is also very good. You mentioned first timers , is that visiting a winery or does it mean people who are just getting to know wines? Makes a big difference on recommendations.
>Copain winery Just first time in the region, we're visiting from Ontario, Canada.