California Wine Country
California Wine Country is the fourth largest producer of wine in the world, following France, Italy and Spain. More than 90 percent of all wine produced in the United States comes from California Wine Country and Central Valley.
Wherever you go in California from Mexico to Oregon and from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, you will find great vineyards and spectacular wineries.
The Wine Country is actually a region of Northern California in the United States known worldwide as a premium wine-growing region. Viticulture and winemaking have been practiced in California Wine Country since the mid-19th century. The region is defined in terms of not only viticulture and terroir, but also based on its particular ecology, geology, architecture, cuisine, and culture.
Wine lovers and California visitors may get confused by the term “California Wine Country” due to numerous wine growing regions in California from San Diego in Southern California to Mendocino in northern California . California Wine Country
Is the area or wine growing regions of California distinguished as “the Wine Country” referring to wine the growing regions in North California. Less than 55 miles upstate from San Francisco, Sonoma and Napa countries are the Wine Country heartland.
Including all four counties, the Wine Country occupies an area of over 7,000 square miles. It is home to several hundreds of wineries , lodging accommodations, fine dining restaurants, and a numerous of shops and marketplaces. California Wine Country growing wine regions are:
Sonoma North is the wine growing region centered around Healdsburg and includes Alexander Dry Creek and Russian River valleys.
Sonoma South includes the town of Sonoma where lies Sonoma Historic Town Plaza and Sonoma Valley ,also known as the Valley of the Moon, and Sonoma southern side of the Carneros district. Carneros district is famous for growing best chardonnays and Pinots thanks to its proximity to San Pablo Bay and the particularity of its terroir.
Western Sonoma includes the town of Bodega, Freestone, Valley Ford, Occidental, Jenner and Fort Ross.
Napa North covers the Upper section of Napa Valley including Calistoga, St Helena, Silverado trail wineries and Rutherford wine growing region.
Napa South covers the bottom half of the valley including the Oakville and Yountville areas, the town of Napa and Napa’s Carneros growing region.
Mendocino County and Lake County are each composed of four wine districts. In Mendocino County, the districts are Hopland and Redwood Valley along Highway 128, and Mendocino Coast along Highway 1 (California Coastal Highway).
In Lake County, the four growing regions are Guenoc Valley , Red Hills along Highway 29, High Valley along Highway 20, and Clear Lake wine growing region.
The Wine Country is served by two major highways. US Highway 101 runs north-south, connecting San -Francisco with Sonoma and Mendocino counties. US Highway 101 connects to highway 37 and Highway 121 running through southern and northern Sonoma Valley . Interstate 80 runs northeast-southwest between San Francisco and Sacramento, connecting to California highway 12 running into southern Napa and Sonoma counties. Important branches off I-80 are I-880, run along the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay and I-580 connecting Oakland with San Rafael on the western side of the Bay.
Visitors come to the wine region not only for wine-tasting, but also for hiking, bicycling, hot air ballooning, and to visit historic sites parks , as well as the extensive culinary choices. Numerous notable chefs and restaurateurs are present in the Wine Country. Besides the obvious winery attractions. the Wine Country is also known for its hot springs baths, petrified forests and other natural areas
Other wine country growing regions are:
NORTH SONOMA WINE COUNTRY
Join our Wine Country Private Tours to visit North Sonoma Wine Country. You will tour great wineries and boutique wines along the Russian River that twists and turns its way throughout the Valley to the Pacific Ocean. Capture the Russian Valley gentle hillsides that fan out on both sides of the Russian river surrounded by giant redwoods. The Russian Valley banks are strewn with sandy beaches where local enjoy their sunny days. The Russian Valley river goes through three major wine valleys ; Alexander Valley , Dry Creek Wine growing Valley and Russian River Valley.
Healdsburg
Healdsburg is located in the northern part of Sonoma Country. Healdsburg is surrounded by Alexander Valley in the northeast, Dry Creek Valley to the northwest and Chalk Hill and Knights’ Valley in the southeast.
The beauty of Healdsburg is incomparable – centered in the Northern California wine country, visitors often compare the area to Tuscany. Healdsburg Town Plaza offers great boutique wineries, restaurants, charming shopping stores and boutiques, art galleries, antiques stores and live music in some tasting rooms. Take a walking tour to Healdsburg historic homes, get a soothing massage at one of their spas, or linger in Healdsburg’s museums and wine libraries.
The Russian River runs by Healdsburg where visitors can enjoy sandy beaches, swimming, canoeing and kayaking, all the way to the Pacific Coast. Ride or drive the Coast to enjoy sightseeing, walking on beaches, whale watching, bird watching, or rock climbing!
Dry Creek Valley
Mendocino County is located border about 15 miles northwest of Healdsburg where the Warm Springs Dam holds back the waters of Dry Creek forming the long and serpentine Lake Sonoma. From the dam, you get a bird’s eye view of the valley that profiles in the horizon. The dam was built by the Army Corps of Engineers back in the 1980s primarily to form a state recreation area. It also protects the fertile wine valley from flooding. The combination of well-drained soils, morning fog, and temperature variations from the valley floor up to the steep hillsides has proved beneficial to certain varieties of red and white wine grapes. Today, Dry Creek Valley is one of the premium wine producing areas of California Wine county.
Two parallel roadways Dry Creek and West Dry Creek roads- run north and south along the edges of Dry Creek valley. Two smaller roads- Lambert Bridge and Yoakim Bridge-run east and west across the valley connecting the larger north-south thoroughfares. Together, these four roads provide access to several dozen of great wineries in Dry Creek Valley wine country.
Since the resurgence of wine grape production in the 1970s, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel have become the most planted varieties, and Dry Creek wine Valley ,AVA has become one of the state’s top Zinfandel producers. Sauvignon Blanc has become the most important white grape varietals produced in Dry Creek wine Valley.
Russian River Valley
The Russian River Valley Wine Country is a river located in the Northern California counties of Mendocino and Sonoma.
The Russian River springs from the Laughlin Range about 5 miles in Mendocino County and flows southward to Redwood Valley and northern Sonoma Country to empty into the Pacific Ocean between Jenner and Goat Rock Beach. (60 mi north of the San Francisco Bay’s Golden Gate)
The Russian River Valley wine country is characterized by its cool climate, heavily affected by fog generated by the valley’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The area is known for its success with cool climate varietals, notably Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Great wineries are found along the Westside Road before it meets Wohler Road intersection. There you need to decide whether you want to continue into the southern part of Russian River Valley or head back north toward Windsor and Healdsburg. If you choose to go north, you can cross over the Russian River on Wohler, bear left on Eastside Road and follow it as it skirts Windsor and eventually merges into Old Redwood Highway running between Windsor to the south and Healdsburg farther north.
If you decide to continue into the southern Russian River Valley at Wohler Road, you can either stay on Westside Road toward Guerneville or make the turn onto Wohler and continue past Eastside Road to River Road.
The Russian River Valley is not only about wine and grapes ,it is a chalk full of things to do like stemming from the river to the charming towns to exquisite gardens nearby. Canoeing through the redwoods, picnicking, swimming, camping, observe the abundant wildlife, cycling through picturesque vineyards and explore the majestic redwoods forests while visiting the world renowned wineries in Russian River Wine Country.
Alexander Valley
From Healdsburg you have two options for touring the Alexander Valley. You can go north on Highway 101 about eight miles to Geyserville and turn right on state Highway 128. Or you can head north on Healdsburg Avenue, taking right on Alexander Valley Road just outside of town. Alexander Valley road merges into Highway 128 at a three-way stop near Jimtown. From this intersection, if you continue east (straight) on Highway 12, you’ll pass several wineries before traveling through Knight’s Valley and then winding through a series of hills to end up in Calistoga, the northernmost reach of the Napa Valley. If you turn left (north) onto Highway 128, to traverse the valley towards Geyserville, you will be driving on one of the most picturesque roads in Sonoma County.
Alexander Valley is the warmest area in the Valley and it is known for its cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The intense midday summer heat is counterbalanced by nighttime fog which is held in by the tapered ends of the Valley. Loamy-gravelly soil types encourage high yields and vigorous vine growth.
The Alexander Valley AVA sits at the top of Sonoma County with about 15,000 acres of much prized vineyards. Within the 76,000 total acres of this AVA, there are a variety of microclimates supporting a substantial range of grape varieties. While Cabernet Sauvignon reigns supreme on the gravelly terrain of the valley floor, the Alexander Valley AVA also produces notable Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. Even some cooler-climate varieties, like Gewürztraminer and Riesling, have found a niche here.
Southern Russian River Valley
Just west of Santa Rosa is the southern reach of the Russian River Valley. Visitors typically approach it along one of two main routes: by following River Road west from Santa Rosa; or by following Westside or Eastside roads south from the northern part of the valley to Wohler Road, then turning off Wohler onto River Road.
Along the route from the northern Russian River Valley it is also possible to follow Westside Road beyond Wohler to visit a couple of major wineries farther south on Westside. From Eastside Road you can reach this southern stretch of Westside Road by turning right on Wohler, going let across the old bridge spanning the river, and then going left again on Westside. Be especially careful on this southern stretch of Westside; it is narrow and winding and, while scenic and serviceable, it is not a particularly good road. If you follow Westside all the way to its end, you will find yourself at River Road about three miles west of Wohler.
The Russian River Valley is a popular weekend destinations or many San Franciscans who love its cooler climate and outdoor pursuits along the river. It also produces nearly a third of all grapes grown in Sonoma country with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay the dominant varietals.
The character of the Russian River Valley is a bit different north to south. The northern reach has much more of a Dry Creek Valley feel. Up north the wineries are generally larger, newer, and perhaps a little flashier than in the south, which has a more rustic feel.
The southern Russian River Valley is a large area with irregular shape that is somewhat wider than it is tall. It is bounded on the north by River Road, which becomes Old River Road near Guerneville; and on the south by state Highway 12, which becomes Sebastopol Road and then the Bodega Highway as it runs east to west. On the west, the Bohemian Highway shapes the area, running from near Guerneville southeast to Freestone. Highway 101 forms the eastern boundary.
State Highway 116 runs diagonally through the southern valley, from Guerneville in the northwest to Sebastopol in the southeast. Other important roads are Mirabel road, which connects River road and Highway 116; Guerneville Road connecting Highway 101 and Highway 116; and Olivet Road connecting River Road and Guerneville Road. All along this skeleton of roadways and many smaller roads branching from it are a myriad of wineries where you can taste Pinor Noir, Zinfandel, and other wines produced in the Russian River Valley appellation.
The major towns you will want to consider visiting in the southern Russian River Valley are Sebastopol, Graton, Guerneville and Occidental. Forestville is also important because it is home to some good wineries and is located at the junction of Mirabel Road and Highway 116.
In Sebastopol, you can enjoy an easy stroll along Main Street to take in antique, art, and book shops among other homegrown stores and restaurants that somehow are only found in small towns. You will find the Sebastopol natives to be friendly and welcoming if a bit quirky. Nonconformity is the norm among many locals in the unabashedly authentic and American small town.
The hamlet of Graton is essentially a wide spot in Graton Road just west of Highway 116 near its intersection with Guerneville Road and about four miles northwest of Sebastopol. Take a few minutes to walk to downtown area, occupying just a couple of blocks along Graton Road. You’ll find surprising touches of sophistication including good restaurants and interesting shops.
If you’ve stopped in Graton, you might as well continue on along Graton Road about six miles to the southwest to Occidental. Yet another micro-town. Occidental seems impossibly cute, but is remarkable authentic. Here again you will find good restaurants and many interesting shops to browse. From Occidental, you can head north along the Bohemian Highway to Guerneville or go south to Freestone where you can pick up the Sebastopol Highway (highway 12) back toward Sebastopol. Or you can just go back to highway 116 the way you came.
Guerneville is about 12 miles to the northwest of Graton along Highway 116 and about 15 miles to the north of Occidental along the Bohemian Highway route. During the warmer months which can be seven or eight months in the Wine Country, it is the focal point of much activity for visitors to the many rustic resorts along the Russian River.
HEALDSBURG WINERIES
2064 Gravenstein North, Sebastopol
Phone: (707) 431-1174
Website: www.adrianfog.com
2306 Magnolia Drive, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-9154
Website: www.alderbrook.com
217 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-1014
Website: www.alexandervalleycellars.com
8644 Hwy 128, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-7209
Website: www.avvwine.com
4791 Dry Creek Road, Bldg. 6, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 431-7767
Website: www.amphorawines.com
7015 Westside Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 473-0606
Website: www.aristawinery.com
Artiste Winery & Tasting Studio
439 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-1920
Website: www.artiste.com
9711 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 473-9171
Website: www.bellawinery.com
3339 Hartman Road, Santa Rosa
Phone: (707) 526-4441
Website: www.benoviawinery.com
3339 Hartman Road, Santa Rosa
Phone: (707) 526-4441
Website: www.benoviawinery.com
4035 Westside Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 431-4442
Website: www.cdonatiello.com
57 Front Street, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-1290
Website: www.camelliacellars.com
P.O. Box 1013, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-6992
Website: www.blackoakwines.com
10603 Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 836-9011
Website: www.chateaufelice.com
Christie Estate Winery & Vineyards
851 Limerick Lane, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 431-0662
Website: www.christievineyards.com
641 Limerick Lane, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-2001
Website: www.christophercreek.com
19410 Geyserville Avenue, Geyserville
Phone: (707) 857-3100
Website: www.closdubois.com
7800 Eastside Road
Phone: (707) 836-8822
Website: www.copainwines.com
De La Montanya Vineyards & Winery
Westside at Felta Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-3711
Website: www.dlmwine.com
1141 Grant Avenue, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-5508
Website: www.domstgeo.com
91 South Jefferson Street, Cloverdale
Phone: (707) 894-8577
Website: www.domenichelliwines.com
132 Plaza Street, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 473-0337
Website: www.downtownwinecellars.com
8533 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 431-2700
Website: www.dutchercrossingwinery.com
3770 Lambert Bridge Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-1000
Website: www.drycreekvineyard.com
435 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-1637
Website: www.everettridge.com
4791 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-0100
Website: www.familywineriesdrycreekvalley.com
Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery
8761 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-6700
Website: www.ferrari-carano.com
10075 Hwy 128, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-7266
Website: www.fieldstonewinery.com
12707 Old Redwood Hwy, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-7272
Website: www.foppiano.com
Francis Ford Coppola Presents Rosso & Bianco
300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville
Phone: (707) 857-1400
Website: www.ffcwinery.com
320 Center Street, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-2458
Website: www.gallosonoma.com
10701 Westside Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 473-2900
Website: www.garyfarrell.com
1433 Grove Street, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 431-4252
Website: www.grovestreetbrokers.com
9280 Hwy 128, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 431-4310
Website: www.hannawinery.com
8075 Martinelli Road, Forestville
Phone: (707) 887-8013
Website: www.hartfordwines.com
6050 Westside Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-6491
Website: www.hopkilnwinery.com
Huntington Wine Cellars & Art Gallery
53 Front Street, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-5215
Website: www.huntingtonwine.com
1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 431-5250
Website: www.jordanwinery.com
337 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-7102
Website: www.kj.com
7135 Eastside Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 838-4230
Website: www.labellavitaLLC.com
235 Healdsburg Avenue
Phone: (707) 431-9400
Website: www.lacrema.com
340 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 473-2999
Website: www.lakesonomawinery.net
4085 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 431-9600
Website: www.lambertbridge.com
15001 Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-8178
Website: www.lancaster-reserve.com
1023 Limerick Lane, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-9211
Website: www.limericklanewines.com
5 Fitch Street, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-3473
Website: www.longboardvineyards.com
851 Magnolia Drive, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-4780
Website: www.macphailwines.com
2859 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 431-0804
Website: www.mauritsonwines.com
1400 Lytton Springs Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 431-8159
Website: www.mazzocco.com
13414 Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 431-8845
Website: www.medlockames.com
Michel-Schlumberger Wine Estate
4155 Wine Creek Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-7427
Website: www.michelschlumberger.com
1401 Westside Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 431-2121
Website: www.mcvonline.com
20 Matheson Street, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 431-7644
Website: www.murphygoode.com
4791 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-0422
Website: www.papapietro-perry.com
3805 Lambert Bridge Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (877) 825-5547
Website: www.passalacquawinery.com
1220 Canyon Road, Geyserville
Phone: (707) 857-3531
Website: www.pedroncelli.com
241 Center Street, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 431-9388
Website: www.pezziking.com
9282 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-3372
Website: www.prestonvineyards.com
1421 Chiquita Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 431-9173
Website: www.pumasprings.com
4900 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 431-8333
Website: www.quivirawine.com
8339 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-4365
Website: www.raymondburrvineyards.com
Ridge Vineyards-Lytton Springs
650 Lytton Springs Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-7721
Website: www.ridgewine.com
4960 Red Winery Road, Geyserville
Phone: (707) 431-4811
Website: www.ryew.com
J. Rochioli Vineyards & Winery
6192 Westside Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-2305
Website : www.rochioliwinery.com/
11455 Old Redwood Hwy, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 431-1533
Website: www.rodneystrong.com
PO Box 608, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 431-2051
Website: www.roshambowinery.com
Sapphire Hill Vineyards & Winery
51 Front Street, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 431-1888
Website: www.sapphirehill.com
7370 Hwy 128, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-2285
Website: www.sausalwinery.com
9990 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 473-2992
Website: www.sbragia.com
14730 Grove Street, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-3579
Website: www.seghesio.com
215 Center Street, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 431-1288
Website: www.selbywinery.com
16275 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-6981
Website: www.simiwinery.com
7111 Highway 128, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-9463
Website: www.stonestreetwines.com
Stuhlmuller Vineyards & Winery
4951 W. Soda Rock Lane, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 431-7745
Website: www.stuhlmullervineyards.com
19170 Geyserville Avenue, Geyserville
Phone: (707) 433-1082
Website: www.trentadue.com
5610 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-9545
Website: www.truetthurst.com
7505 Hwy 128, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-8429
Website: www.whiteoakwines.com
1960 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg
Phone: (707) 433-4355
Website: www.wilsonwinery.com
HEALDSBURG RESTAURANTS
330 Healdsburg Avenue
Tel. (707) 433-1035
198 Dry Creek Rd
Tel. (707) 433-6422
428 Center Street
Tel. (707) 431 -0530
231 Center Street
Tel. (707) 431-0100
345 Healdsburg Ave
Tel. (707) 433-2337
109 Plaza St
Tel. (707) 433-1380
106 Matheson St
Tel. (707) 431-2962
241 Healdsburg Ave
Tel. (707) 433-6000
1525 Healdsburg Ave
Tel. (707) 433-4122
417 Healdsburg Ave
Tel. (707) 433-1913
29 North St
Tel. (707) 433-3311
20 Dry Creek Road
Tel. (707) 433-3660
317 Healdsburg Ave
Tel. (707) 431-0330
128 Plaza St
Tel. (707) 433-2807
425 Center St
Tel. (707) 431-1464
1301 Healdsburg Ave
Tel. (707) 433-7414
25 Grant Ave
Tel. (707) 433-1106
1047 Vine St
Tel. (707) 433-2837
48 Healdsburg Ave
Tel. (707) 431-1381
335 Healdsburg Ave
Tel. (707) 431-7213
9 Mitchell Ln
Tel. (707) 433-6362
6706 Highway 128
Tel. (707) 433-1212
1001 Westside Rd
Tel. (707) 433-4231
336 Healdsburg Ave (707)
Tel. 433-8111
235 Healdsburg Ave, Courtyard
Tel. (707) 433-2788
3250 Highway 128
Tel. (707) 857-2777
420 Center St
Tel. 707-431-1302
177 Dry Creek Rd
Tel. (707) 433-5529
Healdsburg 1351 Healdsburg Ave
Tel. (707) 433-8877
505 Healdsburg Ave.
Tel. (707) 433-2669
21047 Geyserville Avenue
Tel. 707-857-1790
109 Plaza St # A
Tel. (707) 433-5282
165 Healdsburg Ave
Tel. (707) 433-8263
245 Center St
Tel. (707) 433-3818
125 Healdsburg Ave
Tel. (707) 433-1052
1063 Vine St
Tel. (707) 433-9205
1005 Vine Street
Tel. (707) 433-0515
403 Healdsburg Ave
Tel. (707) 433-9191
344 Center St
Tel. (707) 473-0946