One of the hardest things to do is narrow the range of choices for a day of wine tasting in Sonoma. Though there are a boundless number of excellent wineries around Healdsburg a wonderful way to spend a day is to stroll within a 1 block radius of the Healdsburg Plaza sampling the growing number of tasting rooms that have appeared. While these tasting rooms tend to be smaller and offer fewer amenities such as gift shops and picnic facilities as one might find at wineries, they offers the convenience of being within walking distance of other tasting rooms, restaurants and boutique shops nearby. Follow us as we take you on one of our tried and true walking routes around Healdsburg Plaza.
WINERIES
Start at La Crema (235 Healdsburg Ave) to enter the small, but bright and comfortable tasting room. You’ll be welcomed by the friendly and knowledgeable hosts. Many patrons know of La Crema through their widely distributed Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, which is so well known that it isn’t even available for tasting at the tasting room. The cool climate of the Russian River Valley lends itself to the Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs you’re likely to sample. If you’re lucky they may be pouring the Rose, a mouthwatering, refreshing wine perfect for a hot summer day. They probably won’t be pouring the Nine Barrel, their top of the line Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Each year they cull the best nine barrels for each vintage to blend outstanding limited offerings. Started in 1979 by sisters Laura Jackson Giron and Jennifer Jackson they have perfected the expression of the natural flavors of the Sonoma Coast.
Head toward the Plaza on Healdsburg Avenue and turn left on Matheson St to find the Murphy Goode (20 Matheson St) tasting room. This new tasting room has replaced their old tasting room at the Murphy Goode winery on Highway 128. The knowledgeable tasting room staff will willingly share information about their wines, including some of the unusual names. We were poured an ’06 and 05 Island Block Chardonnay that was buttery and rich. Liar’s Dice and Snake Eyes Zinfandels, named for planning sessions over games of liar’s dice are robust with strong berry flavors these can stand up to backyard BBQ fare. The Malbac was flowery and light, and even the tasting staff agreed that it needs to age a bit. The Tierra A Lago Cabernet Sauvignon was spicy and rich with big tannins. We were disappointed to find that the light, dry Gewürztraminer from 2005 that we had tasted last year is no longer being made, but we can hope for the future. Started in 1985 by friends Tim Murphy and Dale Goode, their love of games is on display on the Murphy Goode website where you can view game descriptions and rules for Liar’s Dice, Texas Hold ‘Em, and Vineyard Ball. We learned that Murphy Goode was recently purchased by Jess Jackson so we’ll have to see what changes might be forthcoming.
Head back toward the Plaza turn left on Healdsburg Avenue and proceed to Toad Hollow (409 Healdsburg Ave). The tasting choices are almost overwhelming in number, from sparkling wines to a bewildering variety of whites and reds. Be selective as there is no way one could taste everything on the tasting menu and still walk across the square. The founder, Todd “Dr. Toad” Williams passed away in 2007, but left behind a legacy of fun-loving fables and legends, and perhaps a shared flight of imagination with his half-brother, Robin Williams. Founded by Todd Williams and Rodney Strong (known as the Dancing Badger), the latter after he sold his winery by the same name, sought to create world-class wine at accessible prices. From the fanciful names of the wines, such as Amplexus, to the stories that abound, a fun-loving nature seeps into the wines. The gift section features a large variety of toad-related items that will satisfy your whimsy.
Coming back to the Healdsburg Plaza, continue diagonally across the Plaza to Center St to Rosenblum Cellars (250 Center St). Known for their Zinfandels you are likely to have several samples from the 53 wines from many different appellations across California, in addition to Rhone varietals, such as the Château La Paws Côte du Bone Roan. The Zins generally come from different vineyards around California and present different degrees of spice and dark berry flavors. Kent Rosenblum, a veterinarian, and his wife Kathy turned a passionate home-wine making operation into a renowned Zinfandel house. They established their reputation on vineyard-specific Zin’s from many small plots of vineyards, resulting in a diverse palette of Zinfandels. Still practicing veterinary medicine, Dr. Rosenblum is active with the Humane Society and Guide Dogs for the Blind.
NOSHING
Next to Rosenblum Cellars is the venerable Oakville Grocery (124 Matheson St.), in business for 120 years in Napa and 10 years in Sonoma, featuring local products from Napa & Sonoma. You can pick up made-to-order sandwiches, freshly baked french bread, gourmet cheeses and charcuterie and other picnic foods. An outdoor seating area is enjoyable on a summer day.
Bovolo (106 Matheson St.) is a casual dining establishment tucked at the rear of the Copperfield Bookstore, great for breakfast or lunch. Featuring hand crafted sausages and other pork-oriented products and proponents of “slow food—fast” they have indoor and outdoor seating. Bovolo is owned by Duskie Estes & Tom Douglas, who also own Zazu’s in Santa Rosa. My husband, Steve, loves the Bovolo Burger with housemade sausage that always drips down his chin, while I enjoy the Salumist’s Salad, a tangy greeen salad served with thin slices of salami that burst with spices, along with small white beans and a red wine vinaigrettte. You can also sign up for their Bacon Club, and monthly offering of bacon in celebration of the pig. If you’re not too full after lunch, get a rich and creamy gelato and walk around the plaza. In addition to traditional flavors, there are some unusual flavors such as basil, that tastes like the herb came straight from the garden.
If you prefer a more formal restaurant setting there are many choices within a block of the Plaza. Restaurant Charcuterie, known for its porcine décor (though less than in years past) features a cross between rustic French and California fresh, always featuring several pork oriented dishes. Manzanita Restaurant (336 Healdsburg Ave.) gets some uneven reviews but I found the restaurant to be a good choice, being unpretentious with a reasonably varied menu and lovely setting. Moving up the scale, if you want to go really high end, try Dry Creek Kitchen (317 Healdsburg Ave.), and at the pinnacle, the Michelin rated Cyrus Restaurant (29 North St.). The food at Cyrus is stunning, as well as the bill, but worth every penny if you’re a true foodie.
IF YOU ONLY HAVE A FEW HOURS…
La Crema Winery
235 Healdsburg Ave.
Healdsburg, CA
www.lacrema.com
Murphy Goode Winery
20 Matheson St.
Healdsburg, CA
www.murphygoodewinery.com
Toad Hollow
409 Healdsburg Ave.
Healdsburg, CA
www.murphygoodewinery.com
Rosenblum Cellars
250 Center St.
Healdsburg, CA
www.rosenblumcellars.com
Bovolo Restaurant
106 Matheson St.
Healdsburg, CA
www.bovolorestaurant.com
Restaurant Charcuterie
335 Healdsburg Ave.
Healdsburg, CA
Manzanita Restaurant
336 Healdsburg Ave.
Healdsburg, CA
www.manzanita336.com
Dry Creek Kitchen
317 Healdsburg Ave.
Healdsburg, CA
www.charliepalmer.com
Cyrus
29 North St.
Healdsburg, CA
www.cyrusrestaurant.com
