Boots, Bottles, Bites, And Flame-Throwing Chefs: A Wine Country Spring Begins

HEALDSBURG, CA — It's still chilly but Spring is unfolding with events that blend farming, wine, small-town tradition, and pizza.

The boots come out first on Saturday night for one of Healdsburg's most anticipated events — the Healdsburg Barn Dance is happening from 6-10 p.m. at the Alexander Valley Hall featuring the Train Wreck Junction. Bring those boots to 5512 HWY-128 in Geyserville to raise money for the Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair.

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Gen Z and young wine drinkers Wine 101 course
Also on Saturday, Silver Oak Cellars is helping people learn more about wine "from the vine to the bottle" with a minimum of snob to get them feeling comfortable visiting winery tastings. That event is followed by a Alexander Valley winemakers dinner at the Matheson.

Those events may already be full, but wineries across Alexander Valley are offering complimentary tastings and 10 percent discounts on bottles until the end of the April. Check the event website for details and hours.

Passport to Dry Creek Valley
Bacchus Landing in Healdsburg will be hosting a Twilight Welcome Party marking the start of Passport to Dry Creek Valley. Flame-throwing "chef at large" Kevin O'Connor will be providing live-fire cooking for guests.

This is a springtime staple in Healdsburg where more than 50 wineries open their doors April 24-26.

Healdsburg Art and Wine Scene
You can keep drinking in May at the monthly first Thursday ArtNite Healdsburg art walk at galleries and downtown businesses. Show an "ArtNite" passport at participating restaurants and wineries for a special bite, pour, or perk offerts.

Future Farmers Parade and Fair
The Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair returns May 21–23.

On May 21, the Twilight Parade will wind through downtown streets beginning at East and Matheson streets, looping through Center, Piper, and Fitch before ending near University Avenue. Floats, performers, and community groups will fill the route under this year’s theme, “Sweet Home Healdsburg.” After the parade, crowds shift to Recreation Park, where the Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair fair opens.

Pizza For Acres and Acres
In April, Healdsburg crossed the threshold necessary for fair features stories like, "The Best Pizzerias in Healdsburg." A line formed early on Mill Street Row as Acre Pizza, which became the fifth shop in Healdsburg.

Acre Pizza opened April 6 in the Mill Street Row district, adding to PizZando, Mombo's Pizza, and La Pizza, Round Table Pizza.

Acre is a sort of middle ground, a casual drop-in (near the plaza but far enough for easy parking) and a destination for visitors with different styles — NY, Detroit, gluten-free, vegan, plant-based, etc. The hours don't quite line up with after hours at the Elephant in the Room and Coyote Sonoma, but Acre does stay open long enough (Sun–Thu, 3 p.m.–8 p.m.; Fri- Sat, 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m.) to offer options.

The opening actually marks a return of sorts. Owner Richard DeCosse previously ran Acre Cafe on Center Street in the space now occupied by Bravas Bar de Tapas, the Healdsburg Herald pointed out. The Healdsburg shop marks the fourth Sonoma County location for its owners.