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Right in the heart of California's Sonoma wine country, Healdsburg is naturally picturesque and offers fun, adventure, relaxation, and great wines. This area has been compared to the best wine growing regions in Italy and France, both in terms of environment and wine quality. The town nestles between three valleys and is surrounded by more than a hundred and eighty wineries, vineyard covered hills and the charming Russian River. This area is seventy miles north of San Francisco and is famed for its local cheeses as well as its wines.
History of the Russian River and Healdsburg
Northwest Sonoma Country, famed for is vineyard studded hills and towering redwood forests, is rich in history. Apart from the prohibition years, between 1920 and 1933 wine has been produced continually for almost a hundred and forty years. Some of California's oldest wineries are found along the Russian River Wine Road.
The first residents were the Pomo Indians. The town was established in 1867 and the central Spanish style plaza is still there today. Early Healdsburg settlers were surrounded by thriving agriculture and natural beauty.
Both gold miners and farmers began to settle in Healdsburg in the mid 1800s, in the area where the Russian River, Alexander, and Dry Creek valleys meet. The Northwestern Pacific Railway was finished in 1871, making the town more successful.
Many immigrants arrived at the turn of the century, finding the Russian River area of Northwest Sonoma County, a place with a moderate climate and beautiful rolling hills, to be reminiscent of their homeland. Many of the winemaking families in this area still operate their generations old wineries today.
Russian River Wines
With more than fifteen thousand grapevine acres in the region, varietals that suit a cool climate do well here. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are renowned globally, but so do a number of other grapes.
Russian River Chardonnays are rich and flavorful with hints of pear, apple, peach or nectarine and often-citrus tones. Pinot Noir is a challenging grape to grow unless the climate is near perfect, which it is in the Russian River region of California wine country. Pinot Noir flavors range from fruity, wild berries to rich cherries.
Zinfandel grapes are widely planted all through California wine country and this grape has been grown in the Russian River Valley since the late nineteenth century. The long, cool growing season allows the Zinfandel grapes to become ripe and juicy for wonderful wines. Merlot is often blended but does not need to be here, thanks to the excellent soil conditions and climate of the area.
Cabernet Sauvignon also does well in the Russian River Valley because of the extended growing season. This wine is medium or full-bodied and tastes of cherries or berries with a cedar undertone. Sauvignon Blanc, also known as Fumé Blanc, is crisp and fruity and the cool climate helps to get the most from this grape.
Syrah's ancestral home is the northern Rhone Valley in France and the Russian River Valley's climate is very similar, which is why ruby red Syrah wines turn out so well here. Pinot Gris has not been made in the area for long but Russian River Pinot Gris is rich like the wines of Alsace, rather than reminiscent of Italian Pinot Grigios.
Gewürztraminer is a versatile grape and can be made into a dry wine, a sweet wine, or anything in between. The Russian River acidity gives a clean, crisp quality to this peachy, spicy wine. Late Harvest Gewürztraminer is great with desserts.
For stunning landscapes, relaxation and unique wines, the Russian River and Healdsburg wine-producing region is a favorite on the California wine country map.
Author: California Wine Guide Staff Writer
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