Idlewild
Updated: Jan 12
Ambiance
This downtown Healdsburg tasting room has a trendsetting city vibe.
A bit San Fran and a bit Manhattan.
A hole in the wall spot you stumble upon and suddenly you have a best kept secret.
No brand assault when you walk in. No big logos, flashy awards or merchandise on display.
I sat at the bar. It’s more like small trendy kitchen bar rather than a typical tasting room ‘bar’.
Usually, tasting rooms are designed for standing while you taste. I plopped myself down on a stool.
Idlewild is open until 7:00pm and you can also purchase wine by the glass.
This is quickly becoming a fav local spot.
Cost:
$20 Per Person for a tasting.
Waived with 3 bottle purchase.
Most bottles are $30 or under.
The philosophy here goes back to the Italian way of life.
In Italy wine is not a luxury product it is a way of life.
Wine is not meant to be elitist or separatist.
Idlewild embraces the philosophy that wine is meant for all to share and enjoy!
Appointment Needed?
Walk-ins welcome.
Open 7 days a week, 12:00 am-7:00 pm
Some food options are available to purchase. Salumi, cheese, olives and bread if you are craving a snack while you taste.
Wine Pick
Try them all!
Like a See’s Candy Box, where you want to take a bite of everything. That’s the way these wines are. So unique you have to try them all.
I think it would be so fun to show up at a party with Idlewild Wine. The wine varietals are so obscure you’d have an instant conversation starter.
Dog Approved
Not really.
I suggest leaving your dog at home for this one.
Don’t get me wrong, they are dog people; JUST the tasting space itself is not conducive to dogs underfoot.
Social Media Worthy
Are you the ultimate foodie and wine lover?
Idlewild features great pop-up food and wine pairings.
Houtskool Dumplings is usually at Idlewild on Fridays starting at 5:00pm.
I picture you holding a glass of wine in one hand and then chopsticks with a juicy dumpling in the other. Instagram food and wine #goals
Feel Good Vibes
I like purchasing products that are creative, unique, and the exact opposite of a carbon copy.
Wine is no exception.
I am highly motivated to support revolutionary thinkers and trailblazers in the wine industry.
Sam Bilbro is a wine thought leader who is redefining California winemaking.
Everyone thought he was CRAZY!
It is completely unheard of to not only focus on Italian wine varietals but to focus on a specific region of Italy’s Piedmont.
Sam figuratively goes ‘off-roading’ when it comes to winemaking and loves obscure and rare grapes for California: Carignan, Dolcetto, Cortese
Wine Nerd Facts
Part of why I wanted to do 100 Wineries in 100 Days is so that I could LEARN.
Wine, wine tasting, people talking about wine is still very intimidating and unapproachable to me.
By taking on this wine challenge, I am using a documentary approach.
Get dirty. Ask questions. Be real. Tell people right off the bat…I’m a wine novice.
At Idlewild I met a food scientist. He and his wife retired to Sonoma County from New Jersey and Idlewild is their favorite early evening hangout.
He educated me on the science of GRAFTING.
If you want to grow a new varietal, you have the option of grafting cuttings onto existing rootstock. This saves a winemaker time by using an established root system.
Recently, Sam the winemaker, grafted Cortese and Dolcetto onto 15 year old roots.
Watching this video of Idlewild grafting looks like an art-form.
Wine Club? Fun Events?
Technically there is no official ‘wine club’.
The key for this place is to get on the MAILING LIST.
Mailing list subscribers are the first to be alerted about any upcoming events and wine releases.
Dumpling Pop-Up from, Houtskool Dumplings, every Friday 5-8
Sheila’s Tasting Notes
Have you ever looked at your cat or dog or any pet for that matter and thought…hmmm if they were a human what type of personality would they have.
My high school friends and I did this all the time. Kari’s cocker spaniel, Rusty, was totally a stoned out skater boy. Rusty flopped around with no cares in the world. My dog growing up, Abby, was the quintessential cheerleader. Hello!?!? Abby was a yellow lab. All smiles and pep and excitement.
In person form, Idlewild wines would be approachable.
Like if you showed up to a party and knew nobody… immediately you would gravitate to Idlewild and get wrapped up in conversation quickly.
Their stories of hiking, beach sunsets, Italian adventures, and grounded life values would instantly captivate you.
You have the same taste in classic rock music. They give you some gardening tips. You wish you had the courage to be a daredevil motorcycle rider like them.
Idlewild in person form is not fidgety, or ego driven, not overbearing or bossy.
Instead their grounded energy rubs off on you and you are no longer anxious.
In a world of Kardashian vapidness….
You found something to drink of fascinating substance.
