Idlewild Wines

Nice tasting room in Healdsburg that's more of an urban winery. We were there for the Wine Road barrel tasting weekend. We were seated in the pretty back room and our host was very knowledgeable of their wines. He did a great job. Brought out some complimentary crackers, cheese, and salami too. Unfortunately we couldn't order a charcuterie board that day. They have great reviews on their wines so that's why we stopped in. If you like sweet and overly floral wines, this is the place for you.

A can’t miss in Healdsburg. The owners are really invested in the story of their wine and the other products they have available. The prosciutto is the best I’ve ever had. Trust me - stop in for a sip!

In Healdsburg you'll have your choice of wineries and tasting rooms—everything from the swankiest button-down $60 tastings to the more affordable and laid back. Idlewild is definitely more of the laid back. The tasting room feels more like a casual place to get together. We had the pleasure of meeting Sam, who was our server. Every wine was wonderful and he provided a full commentary of each wine, free of the pretentiousness that sometimes comes as a side dish at stuffier wineries. I have been to Italy and drank Italian wines. Idlewild could compete with the best of them. I highly recommend stopping in.

Incredible low alc wines unique to the region. I take everyone i know here when they visit from out of town. One of the best wineries in Healdsburg for sure.

Great wines, wonderful accompaniments, knowledgeable guidance. This will be in our wine country repeat list for sure!

Such an awesome chill place! Headed straight there after checking in at a nearby motel to find hostess sharia (spell?) Who was super knowledgeable in wine and the area. Laid back and non touristy in comparison other tasting rooms. Tasty reds.

We had a great time tasting amazing Italian wines in healdsburg! The staff is super friendly and helpful and gave us lots of recommendations for places to go in the area :) we loved all six of the wines we tasted and left with a bottle of Nebbiolo!

Idlewines have gone for less common northern Italian grape varieties with what I though was great success! Very nice server and the tasting room felt airy and spacey.

We had an excellent experience tasting their wines. The service was outstanding and the woman who helped us was engaging and knowledgeable. Their wine is top-notch and a good value too. They serve light snacks on the side that we did not try, but will the next time we visit. Highly recommend.

Nice tasting room in Healdsburg that's more of an urban winery. We were there for the Wine Road barrel tasting weekend. We were seated in the pretty back room and our host was very knowledgeable of their wines. He did a great job. Brought out some complimentary crackers, cheese, and salami too. Unfortunately we couldn't order a charcuterie board that day. They have great reviews on their wines so that's why we stopped in. If you like sweet and overly floral wines, this is the place for you.

Here's what you want to go for some fun Italian wines something that nobody else has in town which I love really cool chill vibe great staff very educated very friendly again probably the best collection of Italian wines in town!

We decided to come to Sonoma in search of wines made from Italian grape varietals and decided to start here at their tasting room in downtown Healdsburg. Like all places now during the pandemic, advanced reservations are required and tastings are conducted outside. We were seated under a big umbrella and tasted through their 5 wines featuring grapes typically associated with the piedmont region of northern Italy. The five - wine tasting featured two whites a crisp and refreshing Arneis and a silky Cortona. The three reds offered were a fruity Dolcetto, spicy Barbera and a powerful Nebbiolo. All were finely crafted, unfiltered and unfined for a more natural style. While their tasting room is in Sonoma, their grapes come mostly from Mendocino county where it's a bit cooler for grape growing. The 5-wine tasting was $35 per person and also came with three Italian cheeses and two Italian style meats (from us sources). We enjoyed the tasting and the wines. I particularly liked the dolcetto with its rich sweet cheery notes and the Nebbiolo. The staff was friendly but seemed a little harried. Perhaps it was the blasting acid rock music coming from inside the tasting room (quite jarring I thought and something I'd consider changing if it was my place but to each his/her own I guess).

Definitely don't give business to this place. This is the worst customer service experience I have ever had with a wine club and I belong to a good number - multiple issues with communications and shipment issues all of which could have been overlooked and/or sorted out if the management had not been beyond rude. Would not recommend.

Fun, cool, younger wine culture in a hip, Brooklyn-like tasting room. 6-7 wines were poured with a charcuterie board including three stellar Italian cheeses. We were more impressed with their whites than reds, but will try both with food after this introduction.

On the way back from a rugged 3 day backpacking trip at Lost Coast, my friends and I showed up with matted hair and 3 day old clothes only to be greeted by the kindest woman working behind the counter! Needless to say, we weren't dressed for a Healdsburg outing but we were treated with the warmest hospitality and kindness. I really appreciate that. This is a cute little spot tucked away from the main square, which I liked! The wines are Italian varietals so it's a little off the beaten track of the Cali pinots and cabs. I really enjoyed their "Bird" wine. It was $10/glass so very reasonable for such a generous pour! Their tastings are $20 for 5 decent pours. Would recommend for their low-key culture!

I recently brought some visiting family here--all in their 20s, early 30s. Might I say, this was even too hip for the hipsters? I felt ancient here. They're brand spanking new but want you to think they're sage aficionados. Beyond a novelty bottle or 2, I can't see buying wine here, certainly not cases. I made the youngins buy a requisite bottle--to show good form, but they didn't want to. They felt bamboozled, hustled, that the story was too rehearsed and embellished. They wanted an old craggy winemaker with good wine, they wanted authentic, humble, and well, non-amateur-like wine.

Walking around Healdsburg on a day off and noticed some nice outdoor seating lined with planter boxes full of flowers. Walked inside to talk to someone and was seated outside. $40 for a tasting of 5 wines which included meat and cheese pairings. Really great value! They specialize in Italian varietals - specifically those of the Piedmont region, but they are grown in Mendocino county. Cool. We tried the Arneis, Cortese, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Barbera. (I think we also got a bonus pour of Grignolino) The wines are unique expressive and true to the Piedmont varietals. We also had a great host/server (I believe her name was Alexandra, I hope that is right). She was very attentive and courteous, which, as always, can make or break a wine tasting experience. She was awesome. The meat and cheese selection was also awesome - some unique cheeses , artisan honey, and some high-quality prosciutto and mortadella. Great value and experience. Definitely give them a shot.

It was so refreshing to find unique Italian varietals! Also, this is a robust tasting that included cheese and charcuterie that also represented Italian flavors. The herb-crusted goat cheese and proper mortadella went well with every wine and highlighted the food-friendly vibes of most Italian varietals. We also appreciated that they offered affordable wines and didn't push a wine-club structure and wine club pricing. How all wine tastings should and used to be! The owner, Thomas, personally served us and we loved that he made sure to provide his staff time off during the holidays. It also allowed for a more intimate, quiet setting as he was limiting tastings to one every half hour and made it much more COVID-friendly for customers. Appointments are absolutely necessary.

Idlewild is probably my second favourite winery in the area behind Unti. I walked out of this tasting with 9 bottles. They are located just off the main plaza. Walking in I was warmly greeted and was allowed to sit wherever. I ended up sitting at the bar, which is more like a bar to a small kitchen. It's cute! They offer 2 different flights, and I opted for both. They do NOT offer to waive the tastings regardless of how many bottles you buy. There are also no bulk discounts. The thing that got me the most was that these flavourful wines were quite unique. I haven't really experienced whites that tasted super floral, earthy, and honey like; but to be fair, I haven't tried Africa's honey wine either. The reds were definitely tasty, slightly tannic, but fairly soft; It sits softly on the tongue, which is nice. One or two of them Reminded me of a nice Chianti, or the Directors cut of Merlot. Let me end it with the people there are quite upbeat with great personalities. They make you feel instantly like friends. Highly recommended - This is one of the places I definitely want to come back for.

I came in hoping to enjoy a birthday week tasting. I came in and requested a tasting. It seemed to be disappointing to the owner that it was for one as my husband is my designated driver. He stated that the tasting would be $40 per person including cheese and salumi. I had high hopes to have a great experience but it was far from that. We were seated outside and were inundated by flies! Literally to the point of being offered a screen to place over our cheese. The attendants were changed mid tasting which I thought was strange and unprofessional. I was actually charged $65.40 for 1 tasting.. Honestly this felt like a bait and switch. I would absolutely NOT recommend this winery. I am so upset to have been treated this way. Not to mention the WEBSITE even states that the tasting is $40. What gives?The winemaker was upstairs on his computer the whole time and took time to say happy birthday when I was on the way out But it was hollow and meaningless. Be honest. If you are charging additional for your cheese plate fine. I would love to receive honest information upfront.

My husband and I stumbled upon this cute wine bar on accident because we were trying to find a spot with small bites to snack on before dinner. We were greeted by the owner, Sam, who gave us a rundown of his business and how he makes small batch wines using grapes traditionally grown in Italy. We ended up having a 5 selection meat and cheese plate which was absolutely divine. The cheeses chosen were unique and delicious. The salami and prosciutto were freshly sliced and top notch. Ordered a glass of Dolcetto and ended up purchasing a bottle of Barbera. Truly a hidden gem in Healdsburg!

Really good wines & very different than the usual from Napa. We joined their wine club & will return! Courtney was a great wine guide & can't wait for the wine shop to open!

Wines were just ok. If your looking for wines from the Italian piedmont region, then ok...you might like these. They tasted young, probably need to age 5-10 yrs in the cellar! The personal were great and friendly thou!

Excellent tasting experience. There's a wonderful collection of Italian varietals and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. During Covid they're masked, and have plenty of distance.

This review is reflective of the wines rather than the tasting room as I've not gotten a chance to visit the new downtown location yet. I first heard about Idlewild through another AZ Instagram friend who really knows his wine. I found myself at Bottle Barn a couple years ago when a day of wine tasting went awry, and I picked up a bottle of rose from Idlewild. I tried at home with my husband a few weeks later, and we were intrigued by how different it was than the full bodied roses of pinot, grenache and zin that we love. I signed up for the mailing list and picked up a few bottles in October when I returned to Headlsburg. What a great experience! The owner arranged to meet up with me at the crushpad, and then we ended up having an impromptu tasting with our group and a couple others who had also stopped by for a pick up. It was so cool to see a small operation up close and personal. I bought a couple more bottles in addition to my previous purchase. I still continue to enjoy Idlewild wines, but I find their shipping costs prohibitive. I wish they would give breaks for ordering a case or more. I've also noticed it's cheaper to buy from Bottle Barn than the winery itself.

Pushy staff! Unwavering policies regarding wine tasting fee policy and number of bottles you have to purchase. Staff replies "everyone wants something free" and suddenly became downright rude even as we were walking out the door. Never again!

Looooove this spot. We esp loved the girl who did our tasting, I think her name was Shirayi- she made it perfectly fun, casual and welcoming. The wine was delicious, I'll be back for more!

Idlewild Wine room is unique in that the grapes are of the Italian Piedmont variety but grown here in California. This makes them stand apart from the usual offerings--floral notes, mineral hints and just plain delicious is what they are. The room is casual and super friendly. Your wine hosts have just the right mixture of personality and warmth to make the experience not only wine worthy but fun. Please put this Idlewild on your list of wines to try while visiting what Healdsburg has to offer. When you're done, drop in next door to Healdsburg Center for the Arts and enjoy local art, glass and jewelry!

Thomas is the "Mr. Rogers" of wine. Not only are the wines excellent but he made the whole experience so memorable with his story telling and great sense of humor. Thank you for fitting us in on such a busy weekend. We had a great time!!!

Poor tasting room experience. There were 2 groups of 5-6 in the 2 window seats, so our group of 6 got the counter. Not a big deal. However, the staff was slow to bring out our pours and rushed through the explanations. Several times, we had to remind them to bring us our next tasting. Additionally, it's a $20 tasting for 5 just-ok wines.

Good lord, how have only 6 people reviewed this place?! Wines were phenomenal, and even more so when you factor in the incredibly affordable price point. My husband and I were lucky enough to have the place to ourselves for about 45 minutes and Kristina was a doll and super fun to chat with. We tasted everything on offer and left with a case and then some!

I was at an Italian restaurant last night and saw a rose on the menu with a barbera. This completely perplexed me and made me want to come in and try the wines. The tasting room is off Plaza, in a nice little nook. It makes for a beautiful walk. It is clean. Scott was behind the counter. He is super inviting and is knowledgeable. That is probably a huge understatement. The wines are Italian. And the wine maker is very skilled. If you want to venture out beyond the standard varieties of Russian River Valley, this is a place to start!

Great tasting room with italian varietals. friendly staff, nice space.

Andrew is the man. Great service. Wild sense of humor. Feels like home but better. I could be idle there for a wild eating cheese and drinking wine. Highly recommend.

We LOVE the Friday pop up by Maison Porcella!!!! The rillette is the main reason we even come! It's so delicious!! We recommend to anyone. Friendly people delicious charcuterie! Perfect for a quick bite on the town

Great wines (go someplace else if you're looking for oak-slathered fruit bombs), great people and great customer service. A must visit if you find yourself in the Healdsburg area.