The narrow valley running northwest from Healdsburg is Sonoma County's best Zinfandel country, and one of the most enjoyable wine drives in California. Dry Creek Road follows the valley floor through small family wineries, olive groves, and hillside vineyards. The creek itself runs beside the road much of the way, making it shaded and cool even in summer.
Dozens of wineries line both sides of the valley — some open-appointment-only, many open to walk-ins. The terrain is gentle enough that cycling is genuinely viable for fit riders; bike rentals are available in Healdsburg. Pedroncelli Winery, at the northern end of the valley, has been farming here since 1927 and offers some of the best value Zinfandel in the appellation.
The valley is about 16 km long and 1 km wide at most — you can drive the full loop from Healdsburg and back in an hour, or spend a full day hopping between wineries at a leisurely pace.