Wine & Food Affair 2026: Sip, Savor and Stay in Healdsburg
Fall is a beautiful time to experience Sonoma Wine Country, and Wine Road's 28th Annual Wine & Food Affair offers a delicious reason to plan a November getaway. Held November 7-8, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day, the event brings together participating wineries across Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley and the Healdsburg area for a weekend of wine tasting and food pairings.
Unlike a traditional festival held in one location, Wine & Food Affair unfolds throughout Wine Country. Guests begin at their selected check-in winery, receive a tasting glass and wristband, and then create their own route for the day. That flexibility makes it easy to explore at your own pace while discovering a mix of familiar favorites and new wineries along the way.
Taste Your Way Through Northern Sonoma County
At each participating winery, guests can enjoy selected wines alongside a featured food pairing designed to complement what is being poured. The experience is meant to highlight the relationship between food and wine, giving guests a chance to taste how different flavors work together.
It is also an opportunity to discover new producers, revisit longtime favorites, and enjoy the creativity of local winemakers and culinary teams.
Your event ticket includes:
- Wine tastings at participating wineries
- A minimum of three wine tastings at each participating stop
- A featured food pairing at each winery
- A commemorative tasting glass and event wristband
- The freedom to create your own itinerary after check-in
Because the event spans several wine regions, every weekend can look a little different. Spend your time exploring one valley in depth or create a route that introduces you to several areas of Northern Sonoma County.
Explore Wine Country Your Way
One of the best parts of Wine & Food Affair is the flexibility to build a day around your own interests.
Alexander Valley is known for bold red wines and scenic vineyard landscapes, while Dry Creek Valley is especially recognized for Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc. Russian River Valley is famous for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, offering another distinctive side of Sonoma County's wine scene.
Rather than trying to visit as many wineries as possible, consider choosing a handful of stops that appeal to you most. A slower pace gives you more time to enjoy each pairing, talk with winery teams and take in the surrounding scenery.
Make a Weekend of It in Healdsburg
With the event taking place on both Saturday and Sunday, Wine & Food Affair is a great centerpiece for a full Healdsburg weekend.
Before heading out, review the event program and choose a few priority wineries. Grouping nearby stops together can give you more time to enjoy each tasting and less time traveling between locations.
After the final pours of the day, continue exploring Healdsburg with dinner downtown, local shopping, galleries, or additional tasting rooms around the historic Plaza. The area offers plenty to experience beyond the vineyards, making it easy to turn a tasting event into a complete Wine Country getaway.
A few tips can make the weekend even easier:
- Purchase tickets in advance. Tickets are sold online, and there are no door sales.
- Choose your starting winery carefully. Your designated check-in location cannot be changed.
- Keep your glass and wristband. You'll need them throughout the event.
- Plan safe transportation. Consider a designated driver or transportation service.
- Give yourself time between stops. A relaxed itinerary often makes for a more enjoyable day.
Stay at The Lodge at Healdsburg
After a full day of wine tasting and exploring Sonoma County, The Lodge at Healdsburg offers a relaxing place to recharge. Located just minutes from Healdsburg Plaza, the hotel provides convenient access to downtown dining, shopping and the surrounding wine regions.
Spend the evening around the courtyard fire pits, relax in the heated outdoor pool or whirlpools, or stop by Alexander's Café & Wine Bar for a bite and a drink. Select guestrooms also feature fireplaces, soaking tubs, balconies or patios for an added touch of Wine Country relaxation.
With wineries nearby and downtown Healdsburg just minutes away, The Lodge at Healdsburg makes it easy to turn Wine & Food Affair into a complete Sonoma Wine Country getaway.