Last month Vegas Wine News took a trip to the Sonoma Valley along Highway 12. Although probably the most well traveled route in the Sonoma wine country, for my taste the northern part of Sonoma county has even more to offer. We begin the journey in the little town of Healdsburg. This village just oozes charm. To get there, simply take Highway 101 twelve miles north from Santa Rosa and follow the signs to the town. 

      In the center of the town you will find a small park-like plaza, with an ancient bandstand and a fountain.  Several good opportunities for wine tasting line the streets bordering the plaza.  Rosenblum Cellars, Windsor, Gallo, and Kendall Jackson all maintain tasting rooms along these tree-lined streets.  If you like Zinfandel wine, you should make a point of visiting the Rosenblum tasting facility, near the southeast corner of the plaza, very close to the Oakville Market.  They produce some outstanding Zinfandel wines and have a vast array of their vineyard specific Zins, along with other varietals, available for tasting.  Some of these wines prove difficult to find in retail stores.  Try the Richard Sauret Zinfandel and see what you think.   

    Other notable wineries located in Healdsburg, but not actually on streets bordering the plaza include the Seghesio Family Vineyards, Optima Winery, and the Simi Winery.  Simi has a picnic area nestled in a grove of redwood trees.  Seghesio produces some fantastic Zinfandels that have earned good marks from noted wine critics. 

    Exploring outside Healdsburg presents the visitor with a myriad of wine tasting adventures.  Located just south of the Healdsburg plaza from the town, Westside Drive crosses the Russian River and winds to the southwest, roughly following the course of the river. 

    Proceeding further south on Westside Drive you will come to many other wineries in short order, including Twomey, Belvedere, Hop Kiln, Rochioli, Arista, Davis Bynum, Porter Creek, Moshin, Gary Ferrell and Korbel.  Twomey has a lovely new facility and makes some very nice reds, of which the Merlot has garnered the most praise.  The Hop Kiln winery resembles two big barns, but has nice grounds and produces a wide range of local varietals.  Rochioli has some of the finest vineyards in the state, and produces exquisite Pinot Noir, along with a very nice Sauvignon Blanc.  Vegas Wine News featured one of their vineyard specific wines, the Rochioli East Block, as its “wine of the month” in the October edition.  Arista has a great assortment of good wine, and also a path through a faux Japanese garden with some breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.  Gary Ferrell has a swank modern winery that specializes in producing high quality Pinot Noir. 

    After stopping at Gary Ferrell, you will have three options.  Heading back and taking in the view at Armida, continuing on Westside Drive until you reach Korbel , or turning left on River Road and crossing over the bridge to explore the east side of the river.  If your designated driver (you better have one to make this trip) feels like it, crossing the river will take you to Eastside Drive, and by turning left you will head back to Healdsburg and pass Rodney Strong, J Vineyards, and Foppiano.  Rodney Strong makes all varietals and has a nice facility.  Located right next to Strong, J Vineyards emphasizes Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wine.  They have tastings paired with food, and a gorgeous modern winery.  Foppiano is best known for their Petit Syrah, and has a small, family operated establishment.  After Foppiano, you will find yourself almost back to Healdsburg.  From the turn to cross the river, the drive constitutes less than 15 miles.

     Should you elect to proceed further south on Westside Drive, you will see Korbel about five miles after leaving Gary Ferrell.  Korbel houses its winery in a very picturesque classic red brick structure.  They pour generous amounts of sparkling wine, which they inaccurately dub as “champagne” (real champagne only comes from a specific region in France…!!!).  Still, it tastes good.  Korbel also features a great deli-like restaurant where you can get freshly made foods and enjoy it with the sparkling wine on the tree-shaded patio.  It makes for a great last stop of the day.  Should your spirit of adventure take hold, after visiting Korbel, continue on the same road (which turns into River Road) until you reach Guerneville, where you can catch some nice views of the Russian River before heading back to Healdsburg. 

     Hopefully, you will find a place to stay in or near Healdsburg.  The village has several great places to eat and consume some of the wines that you sampled earlier in the day.  Almost all restaurants allow carry-in bottles with a corkage fee.  Sometimes they waive the corkage fee if you bring in local wines.  Some suggestions for eating include Ravenous, Manzanita, Zin, Barndiva, Bistro Ralph Cena Luna, and the Bear Republic Brewing Company, all located very close to the Plaza.

     Bistro Ralph features French cooking and local wines, telephone (707)433-1380.  A local favorite that carries a great reputation, Ravenous is situated in a small cottage and offers great local dishes and lots of ambience, and has a good reputation with wine country lovers from the Bay area (707)431-1302.  Barndiva offers eclectic California cuisine with exotic cocktails and an impressive local wine list.  Check out the alfresco dining.  The tables sit upon the natural earth, yet somehow the area retains a classy and relaxing ambience.  Telephone (707)431-0100.  Zin has a modern feel to it, with concrete walls adorned with art showing vineyard scenes.  The chef Jeff Mall, trained under the renown Bradley Ogden, and prepares gourmet dishes for his guests.  Contact Zin at (707)473-0946.  If you feel like a beer after all this wine, try the Bear Republic Brewing Company (707)433-2337.  They offer an informal atmosphere with a long list of ales and innovative sandwiches.

     After spending the night in Healdsburg, go north the next morning to explore the wineries along Dry Road.   If in downtown Healdsburg, catch it by heading north on Healdsburg Avenue and turning left on Dry Creek Road. Dry Creek also has an off-ramp on Highway 101.   You can visit a plethora of wineries along this route.  You may visit Ridge Winery, which produces fabulous zinfandels, just off Dry Creek by turning right onto Lytton Springs Road.  Should you continue towards the end of Dry Creek, you will come to the palatial Ferrari-Carano Winery.  It features manicured grounds, beautiful architecture, wine tasting, a gift shop, and abundant photo opportunities.  Other wineries located in this same area include Mazzocco, Bella Vineyards, Martin Family Vineyards, Unti Vineyards, Quivara, and David Caffaro.  Follow the sign posts to the many wineries and have fun.