Tasting the best of Healdsburg

Because of its proximity to San Francisco, Napa Valley receives the most attention from visitors. Drive just an hour north through the picturesque Napa Valley and Sonoma County, and you will find yourself in the quaint town of Healdsburg – a small town with a big scene for food and wine.

 

9:00AM Breakfast at SHED

Start in the day in downtown Healdsburg. At SHED you can find a market selection from local farmers as well as international gourmet products. Kitchenware and houseware are also featured.

Within the massive food hall is SHED Café, Coffee Bar, and Fermentation Bar. Here, you can have a pastry to go or order a plate of breakfast to enjoy inside the premises. As you will be tasting wine all day (as you do in the wine country) order lunch for takeout as many wineries allow you to enjoy an outdoor picnic.

SHED, a James Beard Award winner for restaurant design. The modern-day general store takes up an impressive 10,000 square foot space with a grange hall meets market meets home & gardening setup
Within SHED are stations to order coffee, drinks, and food. You can consume it in the indoor seating or outdoor seating. You can also have your food boxed up to enjoy during your wine tasting sessions at the wineries

SHED
25 North Street, Healdsburg
+1-707-431-7433
8am to 9pm
Closed Tuesdays

 

11:00AM Wine Tasting at Arista Winery

If you are partial to a wine label and have the means for travel, visit the winery. The wine will taste even better. That was the case for my visit to Arista Winery. The love at first sip all the way in Man Wah at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong transported me on a flight across the Pacific Ocean to Arista Winery in Healdsburg. Read my wine tasting experience here.

The vineyard, its people, and the wines are all pure class which elevates the tasting experience and my future enjoyment of the wines. If you appreciate quality and class, a visit to Arista Winery is a must.

The beautiful grounds of Arista Winery. Pristinely landscape and neatly maintained. The design of the winery reflects the natural surroundings and Japanese Zen inspiration creating a property that feels like a peaceful retreat to be one with the wine
Private outdoor tastings. The winery has a few tasting areas both indoors and outdoors. This outdoor tasting venue was handmade by the owner himself. The clean smell of the natural surroundings enhances the leisurely wine tasting experience

Arista Winery
7015 Westside Road, Healdsburg
+1-707-473-0606
11am to 5pm

 

1:00PM Wine Tasting & Lunch at DaVero Farms & Winery

When in the wine country, you cannot visit one winery alone. You have to taste at least 2, 3, or more. (Designated drivers, remember to use that spit bowl when tasting the wines.)

On the same road as Arista Winery is DaVero Farms & Winery, a local producer of Italian wines and olive oils. The tasting experience and relaxed, rustic landscaping transport you to the beautiful vineyards of Italy. Read more about my tasting experience here.

The winery provides tables and benches for guests to enjoy a picnic lunch while wine and olive oil tasting. This is where you can enjoy the takeout lunch from your morning at SHED.

The winery provides indoor and outdoor tasting rooms. Now more covered with the greenery, the Willow Room Tasting is a private outdoor tasting table that provides shade under the sun while enjoying the refreshing outdoor air
Upon entering the property, guests will be greeted with a beautiful landscaping and these outdoor benches. Here you can taste the DaVero products and leisurely enjoy your take out lunch under the cool shade

DaVero Farms & Winery
766 Westside Road, Healdsburg
+1-707-431-8000
11am to 5pm

 

3:00PM Stroll around Downtown Healdsburg

After a leisurely morning and afternoon of wine tasting at the vineyards, walk off your wine buzz at Downtown Healdsburg. Along the clean, quiet streets you will find boutique shops, cafes, restaurants, and wine tasting rooms.

Let your eyes, palate, and stomachs lead you to your desired shops. Here is a list of recommendations of what to eat and taste

Banshee, a relaxed tasting room lead by young, passionate wine lovers. The Banshee experience combines the cutting-edge vibrancy of San Francisco with the ease, class, and comfort of Healdsburg
More to eat along each step of Downtown Healdsburg. Transport yourselves to Portugal at Café Lucia with this generous tasca tasting which pairs perfectly with their Portuguese white and red wine flights

Banshee
325 Center Street, Healdsburg
+1-707-395-0915
11am to 7pm

Café Lucia
235 Healdsburg Avenue
+1-707-431-1113
Monday to Friday, 11am to 3pm, 5pm to 10pm
Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 10pm
Happy Hour, 5pm to 6pm

 

7:00PM Dinner at Valette

End your evening in Healdsburg with one of the town’s best restaurants. Valette brings together the passion of two brothers wanting to produce the best food and wine dining experience and highlighting the products of local producers. Read more about my dining experience here.

Valette, the pride of Healdsburg. The exterior draws you into the restaurant and the experience will have you coming back for more. The beauty of Healdsburg is the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere found in every store, restaurant, and vineyard
With the food is high-end and with fine dining aesthetic, the dining experience and atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. The whole evening is about the taste of the food and the good company of friends and family

Valette
344 Center Street, Healdsburg
+1-707-473-0946
Monday to Thursday, 5:30pm to 9:30pm
Friday to Sunday, 11:30am to 2:30pm, 5:30pm to 9:30pm

 

Spend the night or 2 at Two Thirty-Five Luxury Suites

While Healdsburg can be visited in just one day, make an outing of the wine country and spend the night or two in complete comfort. For a group of friends or as a family, Two Thirty-Five Luxury Suites provides 3-bedroom apartment-like suites with the luxuries of a hotel. Read about my stay here.

Your home away from home. Welcome to your luxury suite. Each of the suites at Two Thirty-Five Luxury Suites has its own theme and design, from contemporary to cozy. The spacious living room provides a common area for friends and family to gather
You can enjoy meals in your suite with the dining table and full kitchen setup, complete with kitchenware, plates, and glasses for all of your guests. With the nearby markets and supermarkets, you can easily and happily stay in to cook
The full kitchen comes complete with a full-sized refrigerator, stovetop, oven, microwave, toaster, and all the necessities and luxuries of a functioning kitchen. A coffee machine with coffee and tea pods are also complimentary
Each of the three bedrooms has its own en-suite bathroom. The bedding also provides the option for your choice of soft or harder pillows. The luxury of the room is wonderfully enjoyed with the softness of the sheets

Two Thirty-Five Luxury Suites
235 Healdsburg Avenue
Read the TripAdvisor reviews of Two Thirty-Five Luxury Suites here

 


 
Disclaimer: This article was taken from a previously sponsored stay at Two Thirty-Five Luxury Suites and with compliments from SHED and Valette. All opinions, as always, are my own. This article contains affiliate links to hotel booking sites. With no additional cost to you, your bookings earn me a commission if you click on the links via my website – Thank you!

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