Visit the Best Wineries in Healdsburg – Sonoma County
Healdsburg has so many good things going for it—a small-town vibe, a laundry list of exceptional bars, restaurants and shops clustered around the town square—but its biggest asset, arguably, is the fact that this wine country town lives at the intersection of three, top Sonoma County wine regions: Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley and Dry Creek Valley. I’ve lived in Sonoma County for 17 years, and I can’t think of a better way to spend a day (or three) than exploring wine regions by day and hopping from bar to restaurant to bar at night on the Healdsburg Plaza. Here’s my list of the best Healdsburg wineries to visit and why.
The Best Wineries in Healdsburg
- Jordan Vineyards & Winery
- MacRostie Winery & Vineyards
- Silver Oak Alexander Valley
- J. Rochioli Vineyards & Winery
- Seghesio Family Vineyards
- Lambert Bridge
- Copain Wines
- Idlewild Wines
- Marine Layer Wines
- Ridge Vineyards
- Reeve Wines
- Rodney Strong
- Lioco Wine Company
Jordan Vineyard & Winery
No visit to this town is complete without spending an afternoon at the 1,200-acre estate at Jordan Winery. Located five miles north of downtown Healdsburg, this pioneer in culinary hospitality and elegant wine raised the bar in wine excursions with the Estate Tour & Tasting debut in 2014. During this three-hour, food-and-wine-pairing experience, you visit their garden, lakes and vineyards and then soak in incredible views at Vista Point, Jordan’s highest hilltop at 700 feet elevation. It’s an ideal backdrop for gourmet food and wine pairings with chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon, their flagship wines. Executive Chef Jesse Mallgren carefully curates the seasonal menu to work seamlessly with the meal. If you don’t have the luxury of three hours, their Winery Tour and Tasting is only 90 minutes but equally luxurious. It includes a stroll through the chateau, a long pause to enjoy the scenic views overlooking the Estate Garden and vineyards and culminates in the cellar room for a seated wine and hors d’oeuvres pairing. Enjoy a one-of-a-kind culinary affair with their newest experience, Chef’s Terrace Tasting, hosted on select days June through September. Jordan also hosts interesting events throughout the year, such as vineyard hikes and tasting menu dinners, so don’t miss those. Reservations are required. $80-$160
MacRostie Winery
Steve MacRostie has been making chardonnay and pinot noir from the Sonoma Coast since 1974. In 2015, he opened a gorgeous property with expansive views of Russian River Valley, 5 miles south of Healdsburg. The 20-acre property includes Thale’s Vineyard, an estate pinot noir vineyard named after Steve’s wife. This stunning and innovative Estate House has quickly gained a loyal following and a best winery in Healdsburg designation from us for attentive hospitality and beautiful single-vineyard pinot noirs. The Estate House features their Signature Experience and highlights their single vineyard wines. During this hour-long experience, guests can enjoy personalized wine selections while learning about their winemaking process and soaking in the panoramic views of the estate vineyard. The Library Vintage Experience, held every Friday and Sunday, includes six cellared wines–an array of chardonnays and pinot noirs from Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast with a charcuterie pairing. Tastings are typically hosted in the Oak Tree area or in the Estate House’s private board room, which opens to a side terrace overlooking hillside vines. Guests can also request one of the three tables on its front terrace. Reservations are required for all experiences. $35-$75
Silver Oak Alexander Valley
Born in a dairy barn in 1972 in Napa Valley, Silver Oak focuses exclusively on one varietal: cabernet sauvignon. The founders, the Duncan family, still run the operation. Their relatively new Alexander Valley outpost is located 10 minutes east of downtown Healdsburg. A state-of-the-art green winery, the building is LEED-certified, open and modern. They host an array of different seated tasting experiences. All tastings begin with a tour of this architectural marvel, their estate vineyard and culinary gardens and then moves on to the wine. One of the tastings includes wines from Twomey, a sister winery in the Russian River valley. Another tasting includes a sampling of three Napa and Sonoma Cabernets held in the wine library. $50-$170
J. Rochioli Vineyards & Winery
There are a handful of old-school wineries around Healdsburg that serve as continued connections to the past. Rochioli is one such place. The Rochioli family has been farming grapes in the same Russian River Valley location since the 1930s, making them one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in all North County. In 1985, Rochioli released their first vintage of their Estate Pinot Noir and it was named the best Pinot in America. Today guests can enjoy the Estate Flight, which typically includes their flagship wines – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. All wines are Estate grown and carefully handcrafted by their winemaker, Tom Rochioli. In 1985, Rochioli’s pinot was named the best pinot in America. Perhaps the best thing about visiting Rochioli is the star factor; if you’re lucky you might spot Joe Rochioli wandering around. If you do, you’ll be in the presence of a Healdsburg icon. $25
Seghesio Family Vineyards
Founded pre-Prohibition by an Italian immigrant, Seghesio proudly carries on the sacred tradition of food and wine pairing at their historic winery just outside of Healdsburg. They specialize in zinfandel but have a wine geeky list of Italian varietal wines, ranging from barbera to sangiovese. It’s a perfect place to explore new wines. They offer a Classic Tasting featuring their infamous zinfandels and Italian varietals, and a Tour & Tasting that dives into their winemaking process from grape to glass. Seghesio’s Wine Garden is available for walk-ins. They also have a tasting package that includes time on one of four full-size Bocce courts or in their garden. The atmosphere at Seghesio is so warm and welcoming, you won’t want to miss it. $30-$100
Lambert Bridge
Lambert Bridge is situated at one of the hairpin curves of West Dry Creek Road—naturally, then, everybody slows down to peek. What grabs the attention of passersby (in addition to the wine, of course) is the spectacular garden; a perfect spot for socially distanced wine picnics. The winery also hosts dinners and events in the garden throughout the year. The Barrel Room Tasting Experience is perhaps the best introduction to the brand with four tastes of single-vineyard wines. For a more sophisticated experience, the Cellar Room Tasting Experience features five limited release wines complete with a cheese and charcuterie platter. On most days, winemaker Jennifer Higgins is often flitting about the winery; be on the lookout to stop her and ask her questions if you can. $35-$125
Copain Wines
Established in 1999, Copain echoes the French sentiment that wine enhances life’s happiest occasions with friends and family. Their wines reveal restraint and elegance with lower alcohol syrahs, pinot noirs and chardonnay as the focus. Situated high on a hill in the Russian River area, their contemporary farmhouse tasting room is located about 10 minutes from downtown Healdsburg. Copain offers a seated wine tasting experience with five, single-vineyard wines and a food pairing consisting of artisanal cheeses, fruit, and charcuterie. The Reserve and Library tastings are both private experiences showcasing their limited-release wines and also paired with plates of snacks. Copain is a laid-back winery with glorious views that are best enjoyed from the Adirondack chairs across from the entrance. These are generally reserved for members, but if it’s not too busy, those lounges become available on a first-come, first-serve basis with a reservation. $65-$100
Idlewild Wines
As one of the best wineries in Downtown Healdsburg, Idlewild has a casual, cool vibe in their spot right off the square. They focus on Piedmont varietal wines grown in California and they do an amazing job. The atmosphere feels more like a wine bar than a tasting room. Cozy nooks and living room-style service make you feel like family, and owner Sam Bilbro is often present to say hello. You can order cheese and salumi platters to pair with your Idlewild Tasting, which can be customized. The winery works closely with local purveyors to source favorite charcuterie, artisanal cheeses and other bites to creatively match with their full lineup of wines. If you’re seeking a more intimate gathering, Idlewild also makes private experiences available. Reservations suggested. $30-$55
Marine Layer Wines
Sonoma Coast wines are on full display at this sparkling new winery right on the Healdsburg Plaza with Banshee Wines alums Baron Ziegler and Rob Fischer. Pinot noir is the star of the show, but the eponymous Marine Layer flight also includes a splash of chardonnay (and, depending on when you visit, a bonus rosé). Guests also can opt for a platter of plant-based spreads from chefs at Little Saint on the other side of town; these goodies usually include pickled veggies, bean spreads, and gluten-free crackers. Before you leave, be sure to check out the ultra-modern shared washroom and take an Instagram photo in front of the wine wall toward the back. $35-$50
Ridge Vineyards
With deep roots in the Dry Creek Valley, Ridge Vineyards has been crafting authentic, “hands-off” wines since the late 1800s. Cabernet sauvignon and zinfandel make up the majority of their full-bodied wines, but they also produce syrah, grenache, carignane, petite sirah and chardonnay. Perched on a ridge with sprawling vineyard views, their Lytton Springs estate is surrounded by 115 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards, many of which are low-lying, gnarly old vines that emerge mysteriously from the ground. Primarily solar-powered, their building is built from straw bales and vineyard clay, something Ridge is very proud of—and should be. They offer several different experiences at both their estate locations. At their Lytton Springs location in Healdsburg, they offer an Estate Tasting, The Century Tour and Library Tasting, and their Monte Bello Cabernet Tasting. The Century Tour and Library Tasting adds an element of surprise where you can compare older vintages with their current counterparts. Their Monte Bello Cabernet Tasting provides a deep dive into the Monte Bello vineyard in a seated, private tasting experience. At their Monte Bello location in Cupertino, they offer a Monte Bello Estate Tasting and Private Library Tasting. Private tastings and events are also offered upon request at this location. Cheese and charcuterie boards are available to add to any tastings. $30-$70
Reeve Wines
A short drive from downtown Healdsburg sits the Reeve 55-acre estate and chic tasting room—an open-air and modern-rustic veranda with sweeping views of Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley. Noah and Kelly Dorrance are the husband-and-wife collaborative team that runs Reeve Wines; Noah operates the winemaking side while Kelly manages the hospitality program and tasting room design. They produce wines primarily from Anderson Valley, Mendocino County and the Sonoma Coast regions that include rosé of pinot noir, dry riesling, chardonnay, pinot noir, a carbonic sangiovese from Chalk Hill and the Libertine red blend (when available). The low-key yet elevated vibe at Reeve is truly unique–with small seasonal bites to accompany every tasting. Be sure to check out their villa on the property too, a four-bedroom suite with panoramic views of Dry Creek Valley. There’s even a pool. Tastings by appointment only, open seven days a week. $50
Rodney Strong
One of the largest wine producers in the Healdsburg region is Rodney Strong, which anchors the vineyard land on the southernmost tip of town. The parent organization has existed since the 1950s and today has five brands in all. Visitors to the newly refurbished tasting room can sample wines from Rodney Strong ($40), Davis Bynum ($40) and Rowen ($50); tastings also are available in an outdoor area called The Terrace. In the summer months, the winery hosts outdoor concerts on a large green with views of the vineyards. Our personal pick is to spring for the Rowen tasting; winemaker Justin Seidenfeld uses this label as his laboratory and is producing some interesting wines such as the single-vineyard cabernet from high-elevation Cooley Ranch. $40-$75
Lioco Wine Company
Situated across the street from downtown Healdsburg’s Oakville Grocery, Lioco’s vibrant and modern tasting room is hard to miss when strolling around the town square. Owned and operated by husband-and-wife duo, Matt and Sara Licklider, the two produce wines spanning from Santa Cruz to Mendocino with an emphasis on chardonnay, pinot noir, and carignan. Lioco offers three different tasting experiences to be enjoyed inside or outdoors in a new parklet overlooking the Healdsburg Plaza. A fourth option, the Elevated Tasting Experience, is a guided tasting of library, large-format and off-menu wines that can include food pairings prepared by Sara herself. Guests of the high-end tasting sip from handblown stemware from Gabriel-Glas. Walk-ins welcome, reservations suggested. $25-$55
