Hands on Healdsburg

 The town of Healdsburg is offering locals and visitors alike the opportunity to explore and experience Sonoma Wine Country through their winter program Hands on Healdsburg (January 10 – February 28, 2015). Step away from the workday pressures – computer screens, phone calls, deadlines – and create something with your own two hands. A new year brings new resolves and a fresh start. This year, resolve to create a better work and personal life balance. There’s no better way to breathe life into an ordinary routine than traveling.

From Mushroom Foraging and Cooking classes to Wine Blending seminars, Designing with Succulents workshops to Valentine’s Day Chef Series – there are more than 50 hands-on workshops and experiences available in the town of Healdsburg. Each program is offered by by a local Healdsburg business and taught by experts. There is literally something for everyone. See some of the highlights below:

Wine Experiences
Meet winemakers, taste limited production wines, new releases or library wines at the 23rd Annual Winter WINEland, Jan 17th-18th.  Reserve the tasting experience Inside Pinot on January 31st where you will see full cycle of pinot noir from the juice during harvest through fermentation, bottling, and aging. Francis Ford Coppola Winery is offering several sensory experiences. Tasting in the Dark, on January 10th, explores how flavors and aromas in wine are accentuated by simply turning off the lights.  Wine, Whim & Song, on February 8th, explores the harmony between music and wine; taste wine blindfolded while listening to a variety of music at Francis Ford Coppola. See more wine experience events online.

Cooking Classes & Seminars
Take a deeper look into the world of mushrooms with several mushroom foraging excursions and seminars offered by the Relish Culinary Center.Classes include looking for mushrooms in the beautiful forests of Sonoma Wine Country, cooking demonstrations and then brunch or lunch featuring both cultivated and wild mushrooms expertly paired with wine. The Healdsburg Chef’s Table will highlight the delicious cooking of Chef Maldonado on February 2nd and Chef Billy Reid on February 9th. See more food and wine events online.

Wellness & Fitness
Get moving early with Yoga Sundays hosted every Sunday through January at Hotel Healdsburg and will feature a  rejuvenating mix of Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga. Add a little heat and spice to your life on January 11th with Sassy Salsa Sunday in the beautiful ballroom at Camellia Inn. Dance lessons are offered along with a salsa bar and taco truck style dinner. Need to start eating better? On January 17th, take the Healthy Habits into the New Year session offered by Founder of the Nourish Evolution. On January 24th, Celebrate your Personal Style with tips on fashion from celebrity stylist Monica Schweiger who will share her go-to tricks for looking great, including essential wardrobe basics. See more wellness and fitness events online. 

Valentine’s Day!
Prepare in advance for Valentine’s Day with the Chef Series at J Vineyards on January 17th. Their executive Chef will teach you how to make three delicious dishes and the select the perfect wine pairing. February 7th, learn how to pair Wine & Chocolate properly from the experts at Ferrari-Carano Winery; taste four different wines with four chocolates. Learn the language of flowers and the history of Valentine’s Day while designing beautiful garden arrangements at For the Love of Flowers on February 11th. On Valentine’s Day, make reservations for you and your love at Seghesio Winery for a sparkling wine reception in the candlelit cellar followed by dinner.

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About Healdsburg
Healdsburg’s unique blend of small town friendliness and rustic chic is less than a 90 minute drive from San Francisco. Why not make it a real winter break and stay in Healdsburg. Choose from grand hotel suites, intimate bed and breakfast inns, and chic eco lodging. The Healdsburg Square and neighboring blocks feature local bakeries, bistros, 5-star restaurants, stylish boutiques, art galleries, and antique shops. Add in over 100 world-class wineries just around the bend, you’ll taste wine country the way Northern Californians do. And like everyone who visits, you’ll fall head over Healdsburg.