Healdsburg is a small town of approximately 11,000 people but is popular because it is located in the midst of three of the most important Sonoma County wine-producing regions. Healdsburg has been rated one of the top ten smallest towns in America and has a unique focal point with many excellent wineries on their 19th-century plaza.
Portalupi Wines
Marina Portalupi immigrated to Northern California from Piemonte, Italy, bringing her knowledge of winemaking and traditions. Her granddaughter, Jane Portalupi, married Tim Borges in 2001. He had 35 y ears of experience in California winemaking, and they opened Portalupi Wines to provide exquisitely crafted traditional and Italian wines.
Their one-of-a-kind milk jar jug Italian blend wine, Vaso di Marina, was launched in 2011 when they opened their tasting room just one block off Healdsburg Plaza. It is a tribute to Marina, who had a small barrel of her wine in her village in Italy and then later in her grocery store in San Jose and bottled it into empty milk bottles or whatever vessels her customers brought in!
Williamson Wines
This premier and classy winery is a hidden gem with its unassuming tasting room in downtown Healdsburg. They are amazing with their eight generously-poured wine tastings, each uniquely paired with perhaps a mango ginger or other cheese or a homemade condiment such as a citrus style jam or caramelized red onion or a smoky mustard, which can all be purchased in their store. Each plate is accompanied by a wealth of knowledge about the vineyards and the wines. This COMPLIMENTARY event is given from 11:00 AM through 7:00 PM every day!
Thumbprint Cellars
Renegade winemaker Scott Lindstrom-Dake and his wife Erica don’t even capitalize the name of their winery! The unusual name stemmed from the fact that Scott’s wine-making hobby while in college had his signature on each bottle. One night the pen broke, ink spilled down the bottle, and his thumb created a gold thumbprint. That’s when he began placing his thumbprint on every bottle of their outstanding blends and award winning premium Sonoma County artisan wines!
Their boutique tasting “lounge”, wine bar, and art gallery is right on the Healdsburg plaza. Now with a commercial kitchen and enough space to host events, they also offer food to showcase their more than 20 different limited-production varietals along with five infamous blends. They source their grapes from local growers and delight in making single vineyard designate wines. Their wine club immediately became wildly popular with local and international wine enthusiasts.
This is a guest post contributed by Honor Mansion, a bed and breakfast in Healdsburg, CA.
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