A great destination winery with a nice gift shop, tasting center, regular tours, VIP tasting programs, private picnic areas, and a whole lot of history.

Seventy-year-old redwood trees shade the tasting center of Simi Winery, creating wonderful picnic spaces along the creek and on their deck, all just a few minutes from downtown Healdsburg. The century-old, rock-walled winery building sits across the small ravine, producing copious amounts of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Zinfandel, and their flagship Cabernet Sauvignon.

The rustic-styled Visitor Center, built in 1970 of stone and wood, has interior redwood paneling taken from a giant 25,000-gallon wine barrel. Inside there is a cozy fireplace built of basalt quarried on the property that warms the popular destination. Private VIP food-and-wine programs are a regular part of the Simi experience, with food pairing and appellation seminars ongoing. During summer months, their outdoor pizza ovens work overtime providing tasty accompaniments to their wines. Call for reservations, costs and times.

Part of the large Constellation brand group of wineries, Simi showcases their Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines from Alexander Valley, as well as their Chardonnay from the cooler Russian River Appellation. Modern winemaking techniques based on traditional methods maintain the Simi quality and style.