🌱 Tragic Winery Death + Healdsburg Inn For Sale + PG&E Update

Mornin', everybody! Simone here with your Thursday edition of the Healdsburg Daily. Ready for today's dose of local news and information? Here we go...

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sun. High: 79 Low: 43.

Here are the top 5 stories in Healdsburg today:

1. A winery worker at Healdsburg's famous Dry Creek Vineyard on Lambert Bridge Road died earlier this week while on the job. He has since been identified as 61-year-old Windsor resident Salvador Plaza-Centeno. According to the Press Democrat, investigators' story differs slightly from the winery's: The former says he was "found in a fermentation tank," while the winery says he was "hunched over the tank 'performing a routine procedure' when co-workers noticed he was having a medical emergency." First responders tried to give him CPR, to no avail. Winery officials say they "strongly believe this was not work-related" and are "deeply saddened" by their employee's death. "He was a wonderful person, a hard worker and a personal friend to many of us," they say. Cal/OSHA is investigating. (Press Democrat; paywall)
2. It appears the Bella Luna Inn, an upscale bed and breakfast on Healdsburg Avenue near Grant Street, is for sale. The property — including an "original Craftsman style home, a one bedroom guest house, and a one bedroom second residence with full kitchen, clustered around a swimming pool and gardens" — was listed on real-estate sites this week for $3.6 million. From the Redfin listing: "Originally built in 1909, the Bella Luna has been masterfully updated and expanded to three structures. ... The location provides privacy and yet just blocks from the famed amenities of Healdsburg Plaza including galleries, world-class dining and wine tasting. Currently operated as a popular bed and breakfast inn." (Redfin)
3. Another well-known Healdsburg resident passed away this month: John Biasotti, a lifelong Healdsburgian who used to run Biasotti's Market on West Street through the 1970s, died "peacefully with his family by his side" on Oct. 8, at the ripe age of 99 years old. He was also a "World War II Combat Veteran, avid gardener, fisherman, and loved to boat race," according to his obituary. Biasotti is survived by his wife of 56 years, Donna, as well as their three children and eight grandchildren. His funeral will be held later this month at St. John's Catholic Church. (Legacy.com & Healdsburg Museum)
4. Healdsburg will be spared from another round of PG&E power shutoffs that began in the wee hours this morning. Large swaths of Geyserville and Cloverdale just to the north, however, aren't so lucky. Around 1,500 households will be without power through tomorrow at noon "due to severe weather," in order to "help prevent a wildfire," according to PG&E. But for the record, there aren't any other fire-weather warnings from government officials currently in effect. (Facebook & PG&E & North Bay Business Journal)
5. A couple of Healdsburg's more prominent food and wine people make a cameo in a sweet new piece from the PD that asks: "What dishes taste like 'home' when you're far away?" Winemaker Daryl Groom, owner of Groom Wines, says he and his wife Lisa fiend for the "meat pies, pasties and sausage rolls" ubiquitous in their home country of Australia. And Norway native Lisbeth Holmefjord, who runs Baci Cafe & Wine Bar with her husband Shari Sarabi, constantly craves kjøttkaker — aka, "Norwegian meatballs smothered in brown gravy." She even cooks it for her staff at Baci sometimes. "We put it over mashed potatoes, and then we saute carrots or corn and green peas to go with it," she says. You can get both their recipes here. (Press Democrat; paywall)

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Today in Healdsburg:

• Foggy River Farm Pumpkin Patch Open on Eastside Road (10AM-4PM)
• Let's Talk: Virtual English Conversation Class at Sonoma County Library (2-3:30PM)
• Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership Webinar: Greywater in Home Landscape (6PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Thursday Night Run to Geyserville Gun Club Pub (6PM)
• Value Night at Raven Theater: "Fully Committed" One-Act Play (7:30-9PM)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

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Events:

• Noises Off (October 15)
• Orsi Family Vineyards - Pumpkins + Vino (October 17)
• Orsi Family Vineyards - Petty Theft (October 23)
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Now you're in the loop! I'll see y'all tomorrow. If you're feeling these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Simone Wilson

About me: I was born and raised in Healdsburg, CA, where I was the editor of the Healdsburg High School Hound's Bark. I have since worked as a local journalist for publications in San Diego, Los Angeles, New York City and the Middle East. I'm currently a senior product manager for Patch.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Healdsburg Daily? You can contact me at simone.wilson@patch.com.