Getting to Know Geyserville

Settled in the mid-1800s, the town of Geyserville (pop. 861) retains the ambience of a bygone era. Close to the banks of the Russian River, this rural gem is a magnet for bicyclists, artists, and photographers, as well as those who love great food and wine. 

Located in the beautiful Alexander Valley, the town owes its name and beginnings to the discovery of geothermal springs in the Mayacamas Mountains just east of town. The area became a tourist attraction, and some of those tourists stayed and put down agricultural roots.

Cattle, grain, pears, and prunes thrived here in the town’s early decades, but once the California wine boom of the 1970s found its way to the valley’s rich, gravelly soil, grazing fields and fruit orchards were replaced with vineyards—and Geyserville today remains a verdant sea of vines.

Also remaining is Geyserville’s Wild West charm, found along all 60 yards’ worth of its Main Street downtown. Wooden boardwalks and Old West-era storefronts blend with contemporary restaurants, winery tasting rooms, and local boutiques.

A former buggy shop that’s been a thriving general store since 1911, Bosworth & Son General Mercantile now stocks Western-themed hats, clothing, and gifts, and houses a small historical museum featuring objects used by the town’s early settlers. For  vintage treasures you can actually take home with you, head across the street and explore the many nooks, crannies, and vendor stalls at Gin’gilli’s Vintage Home.

Want to taste wines? Try family-owned Ramazzotti Wines, and delve into Bordeaux-Style blends at Mercury Geyserville. At Locals Tasting Room, you can sample and compare wines from many local boutique producers.

Hungry? Try amazing Italian dishes at Catelli’s; Neapolitan-style pizza and handmade pasta at Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria; and bar bites with classic cocktails at Geyserville Gun Club Bar & Lounge.

Want to extend your visit? Surrounded by mountains and vineyards, the AAA three-diamond Geyserville Inn provides the warm hospitality you’d expect from an excellent country inn but doesn’t stint on modern comfort and luxury. The onsite, family-friendly Geyserville Grille serves traditional American cuisine under a grove of oak trees, on the redwood pool deck, at the bar, or in one of the dining rooms. The inn is also home to DUO Wine Tasting, featuring highly acclaimed and limited production wines from Etrusca and Tonti Family Wines.

Keep these events in mind when planning your next visit to wine country. In May catch the Geyserville May Day Festival, founded in 1925. October features the Geyserville Fall Colors Festival & Vintage Car Show. And at the end of November kick off the holiday season with the Geyserville Tree Lighting and Tractor Parade of Lights. For details, check the Geyserville Chamber of Commerce calendar of events.

There’s much more to enjoy both in and around Geyserville. If you follow the Geyserville Sculpture Trail hosted by the Geyserville Community Foundation,  you’ll discover more than 25 pieces of public art. The foundation posts a gallery of the sculptures, in order from south to north, and a downloadable sculpture trail map.

For more ideas, read Geyserville Tour Itinerary and 5 Fun Things to Do in Geyserville.