With a grape growing history that dates back almost 150 years – one of the longest in California – Dry Creek Valley’s unique location and climate provide ideal growing conditions for grapes. There are over 30 grape varieties planted here, but Dry Creek is synonymous with zinfandel. Here, you’ll find blocks of old vine zinfandel, some that even survived Prohibition, and plenty of wineries crafting distinctive styles of California’s “heritage” grape. If zinfandel is not your thing, the area produces acclaimed sauvignon blanc and other Bordeaux-style wines, as well as quality Rhônes.
At the northern end of the valley, you’ll find Ferrari-Carano, a stately, Italian-style tasting room surrounded by stunning gardens and known for its Fumé Blanc and super Tuscan-style reds. At the southern part of Dry Creek Valley near Healdsburg is Mill Creek Vineyards, a small, family winery producing gewürztraminer and chardonnay, where picnic tables overlook a water wheel and pond, as well as the surrounding valley.
Just a few blocks from downtown Healdsburg is Seghesio Family Vineyards, a fifth generation family-owned winery specializing in zinfandel and Italian varieties. If you visit on a weekend, spring for the Chef’s Table tasting, a notable four-course wine and food pairing experience. Or, pack a picnic and head to the small, family-owned Nalle Winery, where small lots of old vine, dry-farmed estate zinfandels and pinot noirs can be tasted from within the cellar.
Surrounded by impressive 115-year-old vines is Ridge Lytton Springs, an environmentally friendly, sustainable winery dedicated to single vineyard bottlings of zinfandel. The Estate Tour & Tasting provides a closer look at this remarkable facility – built from straw bales and vineyard clay – followed by a side-by-side comparison tasting of their most limited wines.
To round out your tasting trip, be sure to book an appointment at nearby A. Rafanelli, where you’ll find a selection of noteworthy, limited-production wines, like zinfandel and cabernet, from this fourth-generation family winery who have been growing grapes in the area since the early 1900s. Also worthy of a stop is the family-owned Dry Creek Vineyard, recognized as the first new winery established after prohibition. The winery is most known for its signature zinfandels – eight to be exact! – which can be enjoyed from the welcoming tasting room.