And here's a small winery 2 DD's and myself visit frequently since it is right down the road where my youngest DD lives and almost directly across from the Salt Lick Bar-B-Q in Driftwood, Tx. It's about 20 miles from Austin, depenting on traffic. Very beautiful wedding venue also.

https://www.google.com/search?q=fall+creek+winery&oq=fallcreek&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j0l3.6613j0j4&client=tablet-android-verizon&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#istate=lrl:iv&rlimm=17767981912779228255

I have to say I find the house incredibly boring. Since I live in the hills my views are at least that nice, but the house inside is basically all one color, with nothing to hold the eye. No color, beautiful wall art, antiques or anything to give this house a personality. The house doesn't even look comfortable to me.

I find that house appealing. I love visiting the area. I feel very much like I am in the south of France when I am there. I think because it looks and smells similar.

I love the steel windows.

I love the breezeway.

Ingrid, interesting comment. I've lived in both North & South CA and the color schemes are very different. The light is different up here, and strong colors that suit the generous SoCA sun, look garish up here where fog meanders in year-round. Healdsburg gets summer heat, but stays cooler than Napa Valley.

I have relatives up in the PNW and although I tease them about their love of yellow and orange, the daylight up there has a distinctly grey tone to it that really does require a warmer color palette.

Healdsburg's quite the gourmet capital of Sonoma Cty these days, especially with the opening of chef Kyle Connaughton's super-luxe restaurant/inn, Single Thread.

I find the house very restful. Also, it's quite probable it's not the owners' full-time residence.

I would lock up and move tomorrow morning for that house. Simply TDF.

I live about 20 miles south of Healdsburg. The beauty of the area isn't exaggerated in the photos. Sonoma County is so beautiful that I have to give thanks every day that I'm blessed to live here. My home is, alas, nothing like the one featured. Even though it's not my first choice of style, I would happily learn to love it and make it my own.

Last Thanksgiving two of the staff (one a chef) from Single Thread joined us for a semi-potluck dinner. It was interesting.

Do tell, Linelle! What did the chef bring? I really need to make another trip up to Sonoma. I have friends in Santa Rosa that allow me to bunk in with them, perfect for exploring the surrounding towns.

I like the house, and love that area. The restaurants are as fabulous as the wine!

I'd move there in a heartbeat!

The kitchen at the potluck house has an enormous island with marble top. Wine, sauce, turkey drippings, everything ended up smeared on the marble. There are etches and perhaps a faint stain, but it's undeniably beautiful. It was a younger crowd and everyone was relaxed and not concerned.

I keep looking for job openings at Sonoma State.

Linelle, both of my sons were born in Santa Rosa. We lived in Petaluma with a view of the hills and airport, a golf course and the airport approach. Best dishwashing view I've ever had. I miss Gravenstein apples -- we planted one in our backyard.

I started to say the house above is not my first pick, but style is really dependent on the setting and that house fits the setting. As long as the kitcchen worked for me, I'd be very comfortable there, right down to Rough Linen bedding -- looks like a summer cover and shams. ;)

Linelle, it sounds like you had a wonderful time. Most chefs don't bake, so I'm sure the chef appreciated your tasty pie. When I plan another trip up that way, I will definitely let you know and we can try to get together. I could use a Healdsburg guide to the best shops. My friends are not interested in home decor and home furnishings.

lascatx, I'll be in Petaluma tomorrow getting a haircut on E. Washington. Gravs are simply the best pie and sauce apple, period. Unfortunately the Gravensteins are dying off and being replaced by grapes.

Fun, I don't know the best shops in H'burg myself, but I can get tips from friends. I'd love to meet you one of these days.

Oh Linelle, what a wonderful thanksgiving you had. This new restaurant fascinates me, even if it's creation story is a bit over the top. It seems headed to a 3* Michelin rating.

Love Healdsburg and the surrounding areas -- and so much good to eat and drink. It's rare to go to an area with both cool-loving and heat-loving vines in the same place.

I'd gladly take the house, knowing I'd be furnishing it on my own. The only french-accent I see there is Belge, as in too much RH-inspired griege for me (and I love griege).

Partial view of vineyard across the street from our home. With the drought and grapes needing less water than avocados or oranges, more and more of these are springing up in the hills around here in southern California. Having been to the Sonoma region, I would have to say that, for me, the landscape is more dramatic here.

jakkom, you make a very good point, but you can see that this picture was taken on an overcast day, and I don't feel that the colorful roses etc. look garish. Color can have different intensities, and I always choose those in the medium range, which I think gives the best of both worlds, not too bright but yet not mind-numbingly monotone. It is a matter of taste, though, since I've noted that many members here prefer a more serene palette than I do, indoors or out. The only thing that matters at all is personal preference.

Unfortunately the Gravensteins are dying off and being replaced by grapes.

Nooooo! I am guessing they don't keep or transport well because you never see them outside of the area and so many other varieties of apples keep shoing up. I wish we could grow them here, but most apples need more chill. Hope they don't lose them all. I still miss the Gravenstein Apple Fair. We took the boys ever summer. I bought some handspun mohair there -- then we moved to TX. I still haven't made anything with it.

I'm sorry about the apples. Since we left California 17 years ago now, I didn't realize even avocados are problematic. Given...everything, even here in the east I've given up most intensive hobby gardening in favor of landscaping, with new structural plants, brought in as necessary, chosen for resilience as conditions change.

Color really does look different in different climates. I remember being stopped in my tracks at a SoCal beach house by the stunning beauty of vibrant purple morning glories with another, crayon-orange-flowered vine together on a white fence. Not garish--exquisite! In those days I had a 12-month-a-year flower garden in bloom at my home only 30 miles inland, but those same flowers never looked that vibrant in my garden, and that combination could never have glowed so wonderfully there. That's okay. Like Ingrid's, less than fully saturated colors were very lovely instead.

As I understand it, Gravs don't keep well stored as other apples do. It's the earliest around here, around mid-August, and you can find them at fruit stands but not much in regular supermarkets. They generally get processed locally into sauce or juice.

Lascatx, the Gravenstein Apple Fair is the best. That's where I like to buy a half lug of apples, or maybe win a bag throwing darts at apples. It attracts lots of people now so I go early, leave early.

Ingrid, northern and southern California are different beasts. Driving north, somewhere around Livermore I know I'm back in No. Calif. Both lovely, just different.

Does O'Reilly still have the Gravenstein orchard behind their headquarters in Sebastapol? Those were the most beautiful apples.

Ingrid, your roses are gorgeous.

I love Healdsburg. We spend quite a bit of time there. The best wineries, food, shops! It's shocking what a difference twenty years has made in the area. Linelle, I never miss the Gravenstein apple fair- the best!

i would move there in a NY minute!!!! visited Sonoma and loved it!!!

writersblock, it's hard to tell if any of the trees are Gravensteins, but it looks like the area behind O'Reilly isn't an orchard anymore. :(

jakkom, I think that's an absolutely stunning house. Thanks for sharing!

Oh, what a shame, Linelle. It was so pretty before, but thanks for the update.