Healdsburg Square, Sonoma County – What to See, Where to Sip
Wine, Shopping, Art, Food – A Lively Addition to Wine Tasting in Sonoma County
Historic Healdsburg Square
Following a tasting trip to one of my favorite wineries in the Russian River Valley, Gary Farrell Winery, I wanted to reacquaint myself with the town of Healdsburg. The town surrounds an historic square complete with bronze statues. The Square was thriving on a Wednesday afternoon and as lively as I remembered. Always a mecca for shopping, this little town also hosts two dozen tasting rooms for several area wineries including another of my favorites, Ferrari- Carano Vineyards and Winery. See recommendations for local winery visits below. You can sip your way around the town with these mini-tasting rooms and drink in the small-town charm.
Healdsburg, California is located in northern Sonoma County. Three of the most important Sonoma AVA’s (American Viticultural Areas) are located nearby: Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valley. Healdsburg has been continuously recognized as one the “10 Best Small Towns in America”by Fodor’sTravel.
Specialty shops abound in Healdsburg. One “must see” shop is the Oakville Grocery. Oakville Grocery’s big brother was born on Highway 29 in Napa Valley. Its sister shop in Healdsburg has to be the busiest store on the Healdsburg Square. Specialty olive oils, fresh pastries, cheese, and bread choices welcome the day-tripping wine-taster to stock up on these staples prior to hitting the area winery tasting rooms.
Making our way around the square and stopping for lunch took a matter of 90 minutes. I was impressed with some of the more unique shops and even a Hand Fan Museum. To plan your visit to Sonoma wine country, look below at my recommendations for lunch spots, shops of interest, and local wineries. You’ll want to add a trip to Healdsburg to your wine country travel itinerary. At the end of the day, stop by the newest hotspot for a drink, the Rooftop Bar of the Harmon Guest House. For a more leisurely dinner, pre-plan your visit to the area’s only Michelin Three Star Restaurant, SingleThread.
Where to eat/drink in Healdsburg:
SingleThread - 131 North Street.
This 2020 Michelin three-star-award winning restaurant is famous. Consider the detail of the moss and flowers cradling the amuse-bouche presentation. This restaurant offers an eleven-course tasting menu customized to guests’ dietary preferences and restrictions. Advanced reservations required.
Healdsburg Bar & Grill - Family-friendly, huge outdoor pub grub. 245 Healdsburg Avenue.
KINSmoke BBQ - Western-inspired with Southern sides. 304 Center Street.
The Rooftop Terrace at the Harmon Guest House - 227 Healdsburg Avenue. – Gather around the fire pit for a drink and views of Fitch Mountain, featuring appetizers, dinner, and desserts like the Chocolate Crunch Pave.
Noble Folk Ice Cream & Pie Bar – 116 Matheson Street. – A contemporary ice cream shop featuring small batch ice cream. Try the Salted Caramel or Pistachio Cherry ice cream and the Walnut Chocolate pie.
Where to Shop/Healdsburg Square:
The Hand Fan Museum – 309 Healdsburg Avenue. – A museum and shop providing educational and cultural enrichment devoted to fans and the cultures and individuals who used them.
Clutch – 307 Healdsburg Avenue. – Bold, striking purse collections, luggage, and accessories.
The Oakville Grocery – 124 W. Matheson Street. – Founded in 1881 this is the oldest continually operating grocery store in California stocked with custom olive oils, honey, mustard, wine, pastries, meats, and cheeses.
Levin & Co Books – 306 Center Street. - Boasts the largest Fiction Section of any independent bookstore in Sonoma County with a health selection of wine, cookbooks, music, and children’s books.
Plaza Gourmet kitchen store – 108 Matheson St. – 30 years in historic Healdsburg Square. Don't miss the hand-carved bowls and specialty kitchen gadgets.
Wineries of Interest Nearby:
Lytton Springs Winery, Russian River Valley AVA
Where: Lytton Springs is one of Ridge Vineyard’s wine families of Ridge Monte Bello fame and is located in the Russian River Valley. The open terrace tasting is a perfect way to sample these wonderful wines. 650 Lytton Springs Road, Healdsburg, CA.
Wines to try:
2019 Lytton Springs Zinfandel, $45.
91-95 Points.
Gary Farrell Winery, Russian River Valley AVA
Stay tuned this fall for a more in-depth tasting recommendation in Wine Wanderings.
Where: Located in the heart of the Russian River Valley, this is one of my favorite wineries and a pioneer of the Russian River Valley. Gary Farrell is known for some award-winning single vineyard Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. From the balcony of Gary Farrell, the view of the valley is spectacular, only to be matched by the wines carefully crafted by winemaker, Theresa Heredia. The Single Vineyard Designates are amazing. 10701 Westside Road, Healdsburg, CA.
Wines to try:
2018 Martaella Vineyard Pinot Noir $65.
95 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Ferrari Carano Vineyards and Winery, Dry Creek Valley AVA
Where: Don’t miss the carefully manicured Italian gardens at Ferrari Carano. This is one of my favorite places to take wine country visitors. The setting is amazing, the gift shop is huge, and the wines are wonderful with some interesting Italian varietal blends. 8761 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, CA.
Wines to try:
2018 Ferrari Carano Siena, Sonoma Country -Sangiovese-based wine, $26.
90 Points, Wine Spectator
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