Doggone good wineries
Want to bring your best friend wine tasting? Leash up, because Wine Country is Dog Country
Even though Fido may have a heck of a time getting his wet little nose in a wine glass, that's no reason to leave him home. Wine Country is Dog Country, and many wineries are happy to put out the welcome mat for your canine companions. Heck, most of them have a Fifi or Bowser on site just itching for some squirrel chasing companionship through the vineyards.
So provided your furry friend is prepared to mind his manners (no cork stealing or tinkling on the tractor) and you're prepared to clean up should he, uh, need a rest stop, we've found a host of Sonoma and Napa wineries who've given the pup-thumbs up.
Now, that's tastier than a liver snap with a bacon chaser.
(Policies — which are completely voluntary — may change. You'll do best to call ahead to make absolutely sure your dog is welcome.)
PUP-FRIENDLY SONOMA COUNTY
Lambert Bridge
What happens when the Rafanelli's handsome yellow lab meets the Mauritson's demure and feminine yellow lab? A litter of new winery dogs. Now, 2 of the 11 offspring work at Lambert Bridge — Gus and Cooper. They are rowdy boys, but you're welcome to bring your friendly dogs to enjoy the picnic grounds.
Stryker - Sonoma
Their old hound dog Hiro died last year, but the folks at Stryker-Sonoma in Alexander Valley still love and welcome well-behaved dogs in the tasting room and picnic area. They even keep a stash of dog treats behind the bar. For humans, you can't go wrong with any of Stryker's Bordeaux varietals.
Bella Winery
Molly is one of our absolute favorite winery dogs. Most days you can find her hanging out in the wine cave, greeting visitors and dusting off her wall of celebrity photos.
Family Wineries DCV: "We're dog friendly in our room with leashes of course. And out at our picnic grounds and throughout the outdoor areas of the Timber Crest Farms Collective."
More Great Sonoma Spots:
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Hook and Ladder
- Ravenswood
- Arista:> Owners say Lucy, the Maltese, loves to have friends over to play
- Fritz Winery<&ldquo: Winemakers' dog Chance is the cover dog for the Sonoma winery's dog book. Talk about dog-friendly.
- The Wine Room: Friendly Dog Winery is just one of the wineries featured at this Rover-riffic tasting room. Easy-going staff and approachable wines make it a favorite destination for humans and dogs alike.
PUP-FRIENDLY NAPA
Dutch Henry:
Napping among the wine barrels is a full time job for the two resident airedales and their kitty friends at this hidden family-owned winery.
Resident wine dogs are friendly to visiting pups, though you'll probably want to keep your pal away from the weed-eating goats. A relaxed, fun spot that's about as chilled out as Napa gets.
Alpha Omega: One of Napa's newest wineries, AO is both dog and family friendly.
Bouchaine: This Carneros winery has plenty of spots to run, and is close to the river (perfect for a quick dip).
Cuvaison: Stop for a picnic with your pup at this Silverado Trail winery.
Mumm Napa Valley: Toast your furry friend with a glass of bubbly on Mumm's umbrella-covered deck. Life doesn't get better than this.
V. Sattui: Napa's most popular picnic winery rolls out the welcome mat for mutts.
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Gus and Cooper at Lambert Bridge. Photo: Crista Jeremiason
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If you go
Believe it or not, some folks just aren't dog-lovers. Always ask about winery policies and consider the comfort level of other tasters before you introduce your pooch.
Leashes are usually required and health department rules prohibit most animals from accompanying you to the tasting room. Resident dogs and kitties aren't always happy to see interlopers, so again, talk to the staff first.
Want to see what you're getting into? Wine Dogs USA is a beefy book with photos of hundreds of local winery dogs doing their thing.
Great minds think alike: Two other wine dog books, "Winery Dogs of Napa Valley" and "Winery Dogs of Sonoma" were recently released by Andrea Jacoby, Heather Zundel and Elaine Riordan.
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