Healdsburg and Napa winery recommendations over MLK weekend

Hi everyone. This is my first post on the boards. My wife and I are doing a long weekend in Healdsburg (Jan 15-17) and Yountville (Jan 17-19) over MLK weekend and were looking for some recommendations on wineries to visit. We tend to like more full bodied red wines, but are open to other wines as well. We are from New York and want to focus on visiting smaller distribution wineries whose wines are harder to find out here. We are looking to bring back a combination of wines to drink now and to save (though we have limited storage space in the city). Price wise we would like to find a mix of bottles which are a good value (less than $50) that we don't feel guilty drinking more regularly, but are also willing to spend up to $150 for really special wines. I've gone through a lot of the message boards looking for info to narrow down our options, but it can be overwhelming so any help anybody can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley are both right there.
In Dry Creek Valley, Yoakim Bridge, Preston, Dry Creek Vineyards and Forchini are among those I like.
Joseph Swan in Forestville is a great visit (only open Saturday and Sunday), but half an hour or so from Headsburg.
In the Alexander Valley I like Field Stone, Hawkes and Hanna.

Or just drive around and stop at an interesting looking place.

Wd add Unti, Sbragia, Holdredge and Raffanelli to that list.. wife and I moved upstate > 30 yrs ago .., will be in NYC later this month for Billy Joel concert, will also try to get in a run or 2 in central park and and celebrate daughter's birthday...She lives in Astoria, not far from where I grew up

When visiting Sonoma, we usually stay in Healdsburg as well, easy jumping off spot. re Dry Creek and Russian River.

Hi Ben and welcome to Wine Lovers. Good advice above.

In Alexander Valley I would add the classic Alexander Valley Vineyards next door to Hanna. They have fuller bodied wines as well as cabernets that have a touch of elegance. Very low key, not showy/snobby place-family owned and operated for 40 years. I agree with Hawkes.

If you happen to get into Geyserville, Peche Merle is very nice and a fun little spot to visit.

I might also suggest Michel-Schlumberger.

BTW, Catelli's in Geyserville is a great Italian restaurant.

+1 re Hanna and Hawkes..If you like the wines at Michel-Schlumberger,(pretty place, nice visit) might wanna check them out at WSO or Last Bottle, these sites deeply discount the M-S wines.

+1 re Hanna and Hawkes..If you like the wines at Michel-Schlumberger,(pretty place, nice visit) might wanna check them out at WSO or Last Bottle, these sites deeply discount the M-S wines.

They are AGGRESSIVE at off-loading their end of vintage wines. I remember buying an outstanding merlot and malbec at like $19 from the winery. It sounds like they use the flash sellers a lot, too.

Also...you mention Yountville.


If you like "bigger" style reds, definitely give Baldacci a call. Also, Bell is literally a mile south of Yountville, and Anthony makes some lovely cabs (call ahead, though). If you go to Bell, check out HOPPER CREEK. Trippy little winery with some good stuff. About as 180 degrees opposite of typical Napa Valley pretention as one can get!

A second recommendation for Joseph Swan. Scherrer Winery is usually only open to visitors a few times a year but you could contact them and see if a tasting is going on that weekend. There are a number of tasting rooms in Healdsburg. You could contact the Sonoma County Tourist Office and ask for a winery map.