The Old Redwood Highway is one of the less-traveled wine roads in the Healdsburg area. The Old Redwood Highway wineries on this trail are secluded and all family-owned. Each winery has its own individual character and offers something different to the wine taster. One thing they have in common, they all make delicious wines. From Highway 101 from San Francisco, take the Healdsburg Ave exit and follow the signs to Old Redwood Highway. The Foppiano winery is about a half mile away on the right on Old Redwood Highway
The Top Wineries to Visit on This Trail
• Foppiano Vineyards – Family owned since 1896
• Christopher Creek – Don’t miss the vineyard view
• Limerick Lane – Zinfandel is awesome
• Acorn Winery – Walk the famed Alegria Vineyards
• J Vineyards – Best tasting room decor, sparkling wines
• Rodney Strong Vineyards – Big production winery, beautiful terrace and greens
We recommend that you visit no more than three wineries in one day. Relax and take your time to enjoy this beautiful wine country.
Dining and Lodging Recommendations
Foppiano Vineyards
Foppiano Vineyards was established in 1896 and that makes it the oldest winery in the Russian River wine country. Today the family owns 140 acres of prime vineyard property in the Russian River Valley. The best part is that the family owns the land outright. That is one reason why their wines are priced at a value point. Their signature wine, a Petite Sirah, sells for $25 a bottle and that is a great price for this excellent wine.
Christopher Creek
Just after leaving Foppiano, you will see Limerick Lane. Take the left and watch for the entrance to Christopher Creek. One thing you have to do here is ask at the tasting room host if you can take a walk up the hill behind the tasting room. It is short hike of about 200 feet to the top. What a view! You will be looking at vineyards owned by the St. Francis Winery. Back at the tasting room enjoy the find wines of Christopher Creek. Our favorite is Catie’s Corner Viognier.
Limerick Lane
Limerick Lane has been famous for many years for the Zinfandel it produces from their estate Collins Vineyards. The Collins Zinfandel is made to enjoy with food. Its medium body goes well with meats on the grill. We like the Zin but our favorite wine is the 1023 (winery’s street address). The 1023 is a blend of Zinfandel and Syrah and is very tasty. The tasting room is quaint and affords beautiful views of the Collins Vineyards. Limerick Lane winery is just up the road from Christopher Creek.
Acorn Winery
Head back to Old Redwood Highway, turn left and proceed about a half mile. On the left will be a small sign and road leading to Acorn Winery and Alegria Vineyards. This winery is open by appointment only but don’t let that prevent you from visiting. The winery and vineyards are owned by Betsy and Bill Nachbaur, and one of them is usually around to pour you some wine and take you out to the vineyards. Be sure to taste the Zinfandel.
J Vineyards
The tasting room is exquisite and so is the tasting experience. There is a choice of tasting menus and we chose the basic tasting of four wines for $10. The pace was very leisurely; we probably spent about 45 minutes tasting the four wines. Our server was very informative and not overbearing with his knowledge of the J wines. Everything is done in a classy style. With each pour of wine comes a new wine glass. J Vineyards is located just beyond Acorn where Old Redwood Road meets Eastside Road.
Rodney Strong Vineyards
Rodney Strong Vineyards and J Vineyards are side by side. Where J Vineyards is more of a boutique winery, Rodney Strong produces over 800,000 cases of wine per year. The bonding date of Rodney Strong is 1959. The present cellar and tasting room has a completion day back in the early 1970’s. There is a vast outdoor area where tasting and picnicking take place. You find plenty of the Rodney Strong entry labels in supermarkets. Only at the winery can you taste and purchase their high-end labels. There are several options for tasting and food pairings. Reservations only.
Where To Stay in the Russian River Wine Region
Where to Dine in the Russian River Wine Region
Additional wine routes in the Healdsburg wine region of Sonoma
- Westside Road Wine Trail
- Dry Creek Valley and West Dry Creek Wine Trail
- Alexander Valley Wine Trail
- Geyserville Wine Trial
- Olivet Road Wine Trail
- Green Valley Wine Trail
Tips for your Healdsburg Wine Tour
- You are encouraged to have a designated driver. Consider hiring a limousine or van service.
- First time to a winery in Healdsburg? Find out what happens in a typical tasting room.
- Are you wondering about how to taste wine? Wine Tasting Techniques
- If you cannot picnic, enjoy a delicious lunch at one of Healdsburg’s many fine restaurants.
- We list Healdsburg lodging.
- Pace yourself and make a day of wine tasting. Take lots of photos to remember your wine country getaway.
- Visiting three wineries in one day is enough to you keep you busy and content with the slow and easy pace of wine country.
- Please read our Disclaimer Document on the information contained on Wine Country Getaways.
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