Each spring, Healdsburg in Sonoma County prepares for its annual food and wine festival. The Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience, now in its fourth year, will take place from May 15 to 18. The event highlights the region’s agricultural traditions and features local chefs, winemakers, farmers, and artisans.
The main event of the weekend is the Grand Tasting on Saturday afternoon. More than 150 wineries are set to participate, offering a variety of wines alongside seasonal dishes prepared by both local chefs and nationally recognized figures such as Antonia Lofaso, Crista Luedtke, and Stephanie Izard. The festival emphasizes ingredients sourced from Sonoma County.
The program includes several unique culinary events. Attendees can experience a sushi dinner among the vines at Aperture Cellars or enjoy a lunch at Kendall-Jackson that combines fine dining with basketball culture. At Orsi Family Vineyards, pitmaster Matt Horn from Oakland’s Horn Barbecue will serve California-inspired Texas-style barbecue paired with local wines.
For those seeking exclusive experiences, the Platinum VIP package provides access to private tastings, vineyard lunches, and a special dinner at Chalk Hill Estate featuring acclaimed chefs and wine pairings.
Live music is also part of the festival. Rodney Strong Vineyards will host soul singer Allen Stone for an outdoor performance. Guy Fieri returns to host his Big Bottle Party at The Matheson with magnum wine pours and late-night food.
Tickets are available for individual events as well as full weekend and VIP packages. Early booking is advised due to high demand. More information can be found at healdsburgwineandfood.com.
Healdsburg offers additional attractions beyond the festival. Located where Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valley meet, it has a walkable downtown with tasting rooms, shops, and restaurants including Michelin-starred Single Thread.
