As if Sonoma as a whole weren’t scenic enough, there just so happens to be a little pocket of the country’s favorite wine destination that outshines its cohabitants in more ways than one. Healdsburg combines the charm of a small town, locally-sourced food and drink around every corner, and of course, some of the best wineries the region has to offer, all in a concentrated and super manageable area. It’s almost too easy to fill 72 hours in Healdsburg — but we’re always up to the challenge.
Ferrari Carano
Friday Morning: Touch down at San Francisco (SFO) and take a car to Healdsburg. It’s approximately an hour and a half drive, but it’s nothing if not breathtaking along the way.
Friday Afternoon: Check in at Hotel Healdsburg. After exploring the strikingly airy modern structure and settling into your room, freshen up and head a few blocks over for a light, healthy (and aesthetically pleasing) lunch at Healdsburg SHED — you’ll likely want to take some time afterward to browse the wide selection of local products and kitchen accessories. If you’re thinking of picking up some souvenirs, this isn’t a bad place to start.
From there, take the long way back to the hotel and window shop (or actually shop) around the main drag until dinnertime calls.
Friday Evening: Walk over to the Hotel Les Mars, a stunning French-inspired Relais & Châteaux property with some of the most luxurious accommodations in town. Get a taste of the property by exploring the ground floor before sitting down to a quiet dinner at Chalkboard, just off of the lobby.
Hotel Les Mars
Saturday Morning: A copious carb-forward breakfast awaits at Costeaux French Bakery. Fuel up — you’ll need it for this afternoon’s bike tour. Enter Sip ‘N Cycle, the perfect way to experience a handful of the region’s top wineries in one shot while getting a bit of cardio in to offset all of the wine intake. The tour culminates in a well-deserved picnic lunch. Photo opps abound.
Saturday Evening: After a quick disco nap back at the hotel (highly necessary following the tour), stroll down the street for dinner at Spoonbar at the h2hotel. Chef Matthew D’Ambrosi’s seafood prowess will prove unforgettable.
Trattore
Sunday Morning/Afternoon: Rise and shine for one last wine-soaked hurrah in the form of an entire day of tasting indulgence — kick things off at Trattore for a crash course in artisanal American olive oil followed by lunch al fresco at Jordan Winery. In part two of this tasting marathon, make your way to the Dry Creek Valley for two more must-see stops: Ferrari Carano and Cast Wines. The former will showcase decades of family-owned craft while the latter demonstrates a younger, more modern facet of Healdsburg’s wine scene, and neither one disappoints.
Jordan Winery
On your way out of Healdsburg, be sure to pay a visit to the newly-opened Journeyman Meat Company, where homemade charcuterie beckons (and also serves as a great plane snack). Bid farewell to this charming little town and hop in a car for the ride back to the airport.
All photos by: Erik Delanoy
