24 Hours in Russian River Valley
Since having Evie I have been dying to get back up to Healdsburg to do a bit of wine tasting! I love the quaint and charming atmosphere of downtown and the surrounding areas but had yet to taste in the Russian River Valley. Luckily, Emily of The Jetsetting Fashionista and EME Events put together a weekend to do a bit of tasting and dining! To hear more about our tasting experiences and several mouth-watering dining experiences keep reading.
WHERE TO STAY IN Healdsburg
TWO THIRTY-FIVE LUXURY SUITES
235 Healdsburg Avenue
Healdsburg, CA 95448
In my opinion, Two Thirty-Five Suites are a MUST when staying in Healdsburg! We last stayed in these luxury suites a few years back (seen here) and I really can’t say enough great things about it! The location and general walkability make for the perfect stay, especially when you can plan to easily plan to walk to dinner or drinks. I’m someone who prefers to have a bit of space (or even access to a kitchen) when traveling, and the Two Thirty-Five suites offer both. From spacious bedrooms, a common area to lounge and a full kitchen it’s perfect for a group of friends or family!
The check-in process is always a breeze and the hospitality is out of this world, their staff really makes you feel right at home!
WHERE TO WINE TASTE IN Russian River Valley
photo by Elise Aileen Photo
As previously mentioned the Russian River Valley was a whole new experience for me. Most of our prior trips to Healdsburg involved the downtown area to pick up wine from Banshee and then maybe a visit from one of the many downtown tasting rooms. Thanks to Emily’s vast wine knowledge I was quickly introduced to this gem of a wine region, which could very well be one of my new favorite spots!
MacRostie Winery Estate House
4605 Westside Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448
MacRostie Winery and Vineyards is the ideal example of an indoor/outdoor wine tasting experience! Nestled at the end of a looping gravel road are their tasting room and estate house. Upon arriving we were happily greeted with a glass of Chardonnay, which was the perfect choice for a warm afternoon. You’ll quickly see what I mean when describing the winery as, “ideal” and overall very picturesque! The estate is lined with windows that overlook the rolling vineyards and really contribute to the overall vibe. Unlike other establishments I tasted at, this vibe was relaxed, enjoyable, and very visitor friendly!
During our tasting, we really got a sense that the staff wants you to embrace the experience and enjoy spending time there. Some small things that added to this were that they also allow dogs, and take a special interest in celebrations by sharing cupcakes. Of course, their wines are every bit as satisfying as the views are! Among my favorites were the Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and The Bien Nacido Vinyard Pinot Noir from the Santa Maria Valley.
photo by Elise Aileen Photo
Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery
10701 Westside Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448
One thing that stood out about the Russian River Valley was just how unique and different each tasting experience was from the next. Aside from the obvious difference in wine was the overall environment within each tasting. Gary Farrell Vineyards is one wine tasting that I will never forget! From the sheer amount of knowledge shared by their estate ambassadors to the cheese pairing, it was absolute perfection! I’m sure many of the wine enthusiasts who are reading this are very familiar with Gary Farrell. Aside from being a pioneer of the area, their team of winemakers is visionary in the way the craft their varietals, especially the Pinots!
Next time I visit I plan on taking my husband along, he’s a huge fan of Pinots and would love the winery! If you’re looking to plan a tasting be sure to make a reservation ahead of time (you can through their beautiful new website!)
photo by Elise Aileen Photo
photo by Elise Aileen Photo
Williams Selyem Winery
7227 Westside Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448
This trip included a lot of firsts, including finally being able to taste Williams Selyem Pinots! We were lucky enough to attend during harvest season, so we were able to visit with their VP winemaker, Jeff Mangahas, who spoke to us about their upcoming season and expectations. While tastings and tours are done by appointment only, its something I highly recommend adding to your itinerary. The winery itself is a work of art, and is somewhat modeled after a wine barrel! The property is HUGE and our tour took us from their barrel room through the bottling room (yes, they have their own) to the outdoor hospitality space. With some much history behind the Williams Selyem name, it was definitely a one of a kind experience!
WHERE TO EAT IN DOWNTOWN Healdsburg
Valette
344 Center St, Healdsburg, CA 95448
This trip took us back to one of our favorite restaurants in downtown Healdsburg, Valette! The dining experience was exactly how I remembered and absolutely delicious. The curated menu is a foodies delight and really hits all the marks from the first course to the last! The restaurant itself is cozy and on a typical night, it’s sure to be a packed house! Valette is also quite well known for several dishes, but should you have the option I’d suggest Chef Valette's 'trust me' tasting menu!
Journeyman Meat Co.
404 Center St, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Any day that starts with a glass of rose and a bacon tasting is a winner in my book! With a salumi board that’s just as photogenic as it is delicious and an all chuck beef burger with 15% bacon, It’s a true meat-lovers dream! We were able to taste just about everything (including their breakfast sandwich which is available on Sundays) and I’m still over here daydreaming about the menu. The Journeyman Meat Co. is a great option if you're just looking for a quick bite or planning a picnic lunch. You can actually purchase one of their salumi platters and they will loan you the board.
Happy Travels,
Kelly
