Top 5: Healdsburg Wineries & Restaurant Guide

Healdsburg is nestled away in Sonoma County, which is less than an hour by car from San Francisco. The short drive to the village in the hills is just shy of breathtaking. Located at the convergence of three famous valleys, the Russian River, Alexander, and Dry Creek, Healdsburg features a perfect trifecta for exponential wine-making possibilities for the growth of robust varietals. Winding roads that lead from one winery to another display an elegant landscape of grape vines, each unique to its own viticulture region. This guide will help you map out wineries in Healdsburg. 

Wineries

1. Thumbprint Cellars - 102 Matheson St, Healdsburg, CA 95448 - Ph (707) 433-2393

Owners Erica and Scott Lindstrom-Drake’s Thumbprint Cellars 2010 Climax, a Sonoma County Red Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Viognier, which is served at their tasting room located in the town’s square. Scott is the mastermind behind the crafting of each wine and it is his thumbprint that is emblazoned on the bottles. The tasting lounge is filled with ever-changing eclectic art pieces and epitomizes the essence of Thumbprint Cellars.

2. Rosenblum Cellars Tasting Room - 10 Clay St, Oakland, CA 94607 - Ph (510) 995-4100

Just off the town’s main square, Rosenblum Cellars Tasting Room offers one of the region’s best Zinfandel varietals, a smaller production of Rhone-style wines, and a new series of Bubbles. The tasting room encompasses a modern-chic lounge, with natural light pouring in, making it an inviting, spacious, and ultra-cool space. A brief period of sunbathing can be enjoyed while sipping a fruit-forward glass of wine on the fully furnished patio. The 2010 Winemaker Select Zinfandel is a bottle that you will, without a doubt, wish to bring back from your trip featuring juicy, bold tannins and a dark cherry finish, it is a definitive representation of a damn good Zinfandel.

3. Dry Creek Olive Company - 4791 Dry Creek Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448 - Ph (707) 431-7200

Head out early to the steep rolling hillsides of Trattore Farms at the eastern end of Dry Creek Valley. Owner Tim Bucher’s inspiration for the name comes from an old red tractor transported from Europe. Bucher’s admiration for the craftsmanship of tractors is translated into his detailed commitment to producing a collection of wines and olive oils that pay tribute to rich farming traditions. The stone-strewn soils of the region mimic the terrains of the Côtes du Rhône region of France, yielding Petite Syrah, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Viognier and Zinfandel. Trattore Farms is also home to Dry Creek Olive Company, where a seven-ton granite wheel is used to make olive oil, a tradition that dates back to the Greeks 5,000 years ago. Trattore is the only olive oil company in the region to use this ancient method of procuring oil from the olives. Bucher invites visitors to sip on estate wines, paired with unique olive oils and delicate food bites, at Trattore Farms.

4. Quivira Vineyards and Winery - 4900 W Dry Creek Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448 - Ph (707) 431-8333

One of Healdsburg’s truly eco-friendly wine experiences takes place at Quivira Vineyards and Winery in Dry Creek Valley, setting the standard for sustainable farming. Quivira brings in heirloom breed chickens, organic gardens, beehives, and a wild pig to help create the ultimate ecosystem for crafting the best varietals. This type of agrarian practice has been the carefully crafted vision of Pete and Terri Kight, owners of Quivira. Their vision of biodynamics entails organic farming practices that focus on proactive sustainability through biodiversity. Quivira’s romantic views of Mount St. Helena and vineyards stretching to the horizon make it a perfect spot to enjoy an afternoon picnic while sipping on Quivira’s signature Dry Creek Valley 2011 Zinfandel. This perfectly balanced wine has a mid-palate density, just the right amount of acidity, and an indulgent mix of dark berries and subtle spice that make this red oh-so-complete.

5. Jordan Winery - 1474 Alexander Valley Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448 - Ph (707) 431-5250

Jordan Winery, a 1,200-acre estate located in the Alexander Valley, should be included in any wine tour of Healdsburg. CEO John Jordan’s innovative practices have brought about a new wine-tasting event for visitors. During the Estate Tour & Tasting experience, guests are taken on a three-hour excursion in a custom Mercedes Sprinter to revel in the resplendent winery, bursting at the seams with wildlife, lush vineyards, and fertile gardens. Guests are taken to the remote destination of Jordan Estates and at each stop, they view the natural beauty of its countryside. Food and wine pairings prepared by Chef Todd Knoll, using ingredients brought in from the chef’s garden, are showcased at each stop. The tour includes the current release of the winery’s two varietals—Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Hotels

Calderwood Inn, owned by Wilson Winery, is a quintessential bed and breakfast. Built-in 1902, this Queen Anne Victorian-style house is embellished with young redwoods and cypress trees. The opulent interior is adorned with layered hand-printed Bradbury Art wallpaper and decorative antiques of the period. Mornings are welcomed with fresh coffee and a sure-to-please breakfast, complete with freshly baked pastries. Evenings are celebrated with a five o’clock wine pour, served with a variety of fresh fruit and delicate cheeses in either the foyer or the welcoming front porch, overlooking the intricate gardens designed by the late horticulturist Luther Burbank.

H2 Hotel, affectionately referred to by locals as "h2o," stands out as one of Healdsburg’s newer establishments, perfect for the modern, eco-conscious visitor. The hotel, built to the standards of the LEED Gold Green building certification, features 36 eco-chic rooms with private balconies, sustainable materials for decor, and creative amenities. Each room offers complimentary flat and sparkling water refill stations on each floor, acknowledging that hydration is a must after a day of wine tasting.

Restaurants

Spoonbar

Spoonbar is not just a place to eat but an experience that extends beyond the ordinary. The Spoonbar is located on the ground floor of the h2hotel. Named after the “Spoonfall,” an outdoor water sculpture consisting of 3,500 espresso spoons, it provides a dramatic and whimsical entry point to the dining experience.

The restaurant is renowned for its modern American fare, creatively crafted yet approachable. The artfulness of each dish, served on custom plates made by local potter Jered Nelson, mirrors the restaurant's airy, contemporary interior. Spoonbar sets itself apart with a unique "farm-to-bar" approach. Their beverage program deserves special mention for its innovative use of locally and domestically produced spirits and organic ingredients, sourced from Sonoma County purveyors.

The drinks menu is ever-evolving, with a quarterly refresh that showcases a handpicked selection based on a single spirit, embodying the essence of the season. It's a nod to both the time of year and the local products that shine during that period.

Wine enthusiasts will appreciate Spoonbar’s comprehensive wine list, featuring predominantly local bottlings, with a generous selection from southern Italian, Spanish, and French vineyards to complement the menu’s diverse culinary influences. Particular attention is paid to top varietals from neighboring wine regions, including Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley, and the Sonoma Coast. Aligning with h2hotel’s eco-conscious ethos, Spoonbar also presents a variety of biodynamic, organic, and sustainable options, alongside four wines on tap, reducing excess packaging and spoilage.

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