The 2022 grape harvest is underway, which means the most exciting time of year in Wine Country is upon us here in Healdsburg. Late August, September, and October are full of events and happenings worth celebrating. Here, in no particular order, are some of the items and goings-on that register on our collective radar screens.
Healdsburg Crush is the only wine-tasting event on the Healdsburg Plaza this year, and Mill District is proud to be a sponsor. The party will be held from 12-4 p.m. on Sunday, October 16, and will provide a great opportunity to taste some of the very best pinot noir and chardonnay from northern Sonoma County and beyond. In all, more than 60 wineries from around the region will participate. All proceeds from the day go to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin, which provides afterschool and childcare programs to local families in need.
The newest mural in downtown Healdsburg tells the story of the history of the wine business in Healdsburg, complete with vineyards, vines, grapes, and a giant wine bottle. The public artwork is located on the north side of Black Oak Coffee on Center Street and is the creation of The Monarch Project, a nonprofit that specializes in large-format public art around the county. The piece is 53 feet wide by 12 feet high, and it is the anchor of an outdoor seating area in the alley next door. The piece was unveiled earlier this summer.
Visitors to Ferrari Carano winery in the Dry Creek Valley can now enjoy sipping from a fresh vantage point: the winery’s new Fontana Pergolas, which grace a stunning part of the property never open to guests previously. Flanking the estate’s grand Italian-inspired fountain and shaded by mature olive trees, the Pergolas offer idyllic views of the surrounding vineyards and hillsides. Available by reservation for groups up to eight people, the Fontana Pergolas also afford access to a new slate of culinary add-ons hand crafted by Estate Chef Tim Vallery.
Healdsburg’s newest restaurant also happens to be an award-winning brewery. Fogbelt Station, a Healdsburg outpost of Santa Rosa-based Fogbelt Brewing Company, opened earlier this summer adjacent to the old train station. The new digs comprise a series of repurposed shipping containers and an old railroad caboose; the structures ring a sun-dappled beer garden that offers a great spot to enjoy food and brews. The beer garden is dog friendly and has ample seating for large groups. The best part: It is a 3-minute walk from Mill District (across the tracks).
Photo credit: Kim Carroll
