by Tracy B.

My Heart’s Desire is to live in a place that fills my senses and my soul.  I decided that place is Healdsburg.  Healdsburg is in the heart of wine country in Northern California.  The charming, small town is surrounded by vineyards.  The Russian River flows through town, then through the Redwood forests before it empties into the Pacific Ocean, just a short drive away.  It’s a magical place.

I love it for so many reasons, and you will too!

First, it’s an outdoor adventurer’s dream-come-true.  Some of my favorite outdoor activities are cycling, hiking and running.  Cycling on the country roads is almost meditative.  Autumn is a bustling time in the vineyards as they scurry to harvest the grapes to make world-renown Sonoma County wines.  You’ll roll through these vineyards, often smelling the crushed grapes.  It’s almost as intoxicating as it sounds!  You’ll enjoy the scenery of the vineyards, organic gardens, olive orchards, and even sculpture gardens.  You can stop by roadside fruit stands for a fresh, seasonal treat.  Of course it wouldn’t be a visit to wine country without some wine tasting!

That is the next great thing about this place – Wine!  We’ll explore wines together at tasting rooms of local, small wine producers in the Dry Creek Valley.  You will be pampered with a private wood-fired pizza and wine pairing in a vineyard after your first day of cycling.  If you have some extra energy, you can grab a new friend for a game of Bocce.  I will be your personal wine educator for the week, sharing my knowledge of wines and vineyards as we ride.  I’ll also host a wine education class/tasting to break down the pretentiousness of wine and make it easier for you to understand wines that you enjoy.  Happy Hour is my favorite time of day!

Let’s not forget FOOD!  We are always thinking about our next meal.  The wonderful weather here makes it one of the best food producers in the USA.  Fresh, seasonal fruit and produce are grown in the gardens at the Bishop’s Ranch where you’ll be staying.  Local dairies and ranches provide fresh cheeses and meats.  The Bishop’s Ranch Culinary Team is top-notch.  They create magic in the kitchen that will make you run back for seconds.  The breakfast scones make me do a happy dance.  I always stash an extra in my bike jersey for a snack on the ride :).

Not only will you love the food at Bishop’s Ranch, you’ll also fall in love with the tranquility of the place.  It’s tucked up on a hillside with views of the valley and mountains.  You’ll get to welcome the sunrise each day with yoga.  The Adirondack chairs near the lavender will call your name where you can rest with a book or a glass of wine as you unwind from your day.

We will also visit the Redwood Preserve and walk amongst the giant redwood trees.  The peacefulness and quiet of the redwood forest heightens your senses where you’ll notice the little things like the rays of sunshine beaming through to the forest floor.  Our ocean hike will hug the coastline where we will enjoy never-ending views of the rugged coastline.  You’ll feel the ocean breeze on your face and enjoy a picnic on our favorite beach where the seals remind us to enjoy playtime.

Treat yourself to a week in wine country with Women’s Quest where we will savor every day.  You will recharge your soul and be filled with inspiration.