Seventy-five minutes north of San Francisco, Bella Villa Messina is close to more than 50 Sonoma wineries.

Seventy-five minutes north of San Francisco, Bella Villa Messina is close to more than 50 Sonoma wineries.

Last month the radio show This American Life celebrated its 400th episode by airing “random ideas that members of our own families have told us at weddings and family gatherings would be ‘perfect for the show.’” As a travel writer, I get a lot of pitches like that too; everyone has visited a place that’s either wonderful or miserable and, therefore, needs to be written about. By me.

Last fall my parents stayed at the Bella Villa Messina in Healdsburg, Calif. Their visit to the five-room bed and breakfast with a panoramic view of Sonoma County wine country fell into the wonderful category. So my parents gave me an assignment: post about this bed and breakfast.

The bed and breakfast overlooks more than 400,000 acres of Sonoma County Wine Country.

The bed and breakfast overlooks more than 400,000 acres of Sonoma County wine country.

Well, I’m 33 years old and as of right now decided to start standing up for myself. So I outsourced writing this article right back to them. Here’s my dad on why Bella Villa Messina is the place to stay when visiting Sonoma County wine country:

We stayed at the Bella Villa Messina for two nights last October. This bed and breakfast, located in center of the Sonoma wine country, offers comfortable rooms with eye-appealing décor and views. The proprietors, Jerry and Harold, are knowledgeable about the vineyards, wine varieties and local personalities. They provide an early evening wine tasting event where guests can mingle and become acquainted. Jerry cooks an unbelievably sumptuous breakfast that will long be remembered. The atmosphere is truly a “make your self at home” setting. Apart from not remembering the details about all those wines we tasted, Jerry and Harold created a lasting impression and desire for a return visit.

My parents stayed in Bella Villa Messina's Italian Room, which offers views of Fitch Mountain, St. Helena, the Sonoma County Geysers and the Alexander and Russian River Valleys.

My parents stayed in Bella Villa Messina's Italian Room, which offers views of Fitch Mountain, St. Helena, the Sonoma County Geysers and the Alexander and Russian River Valleys.

Thanks Dad!

Rates range from $220 to $390 a night.

Bella Villa Messina
316 Burgundy Road
Healdsburg, Calif 95448
707-433-6655
contact@bvmessina.com

Photos: Courtesy Bella Villa Messina