Who let the dogs in?

California wineries are becoming more pet friendly (And the crayon set is welcome, too)

September/October 2008

Although wine tasting and touring has traditionally been a people-only activity, more and more California wineries are opening their doors to pets—mostly dogs—as tourists show a penchant for taking Fido on the road. At the same time, many California vineyards and wineries are catering to families by offering special activities and refreshments for those not old enough to taste wine.

Sunny and Churchill greet visitors to Justin Vineyards & Winery in Paso Robles, one of the many California wineries that welcome pets. Photo credit: Justin Vineyards & Winery.

In time for the busy tourist season ahead as well as California Wine Month in September—as declared by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger—Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers have developed downloadable lists of pet-friendly (PDF) and family-friendly (PDF) wineries and vineyards in California. These lists are intended to help wine country travelers plan weekend and vacation trips that are fun for the entire family.

While some wineries have dogs who act as mascots and friendly greeters, others welcome pets into their tasting rooms, offering water and even the occasional doggie treat. Still others take dog-friendliness to a whole different level. For example, Kirigin Cellars in Gilroy has 11 acres of grass and fields, and often hosts dog clubs, dog rally and agility events and championship practices.

Children are also finding more to do at wineries. Venezio Vineyards & Winery in the Sierra foothills offers tie-dyeing with wine, pumpkin painting and barrel bung tossing at an annual fall festival, while Bianchi Vineyards in Paso Robles has remote-control sailboats on its lake.

Many vineyards offer crayons, chalk, coloring books and kid-friendly snacks. And at some, there’s a lot more to see than the inside of a tasting room: An active beehive is one of the features at OnThEdge Winery in Calistoga, and pygmy goats, a pot-bellied pig, llamas, sheep and large land tortoises are part of the scenery at Milano Family Winery in Hopland.

In declaring September California Wine Month, Schwarzenegger lauded the state’s wine community as one of the largest and most successful wine-producing regions in the world. California’s wineries and winegrape growers produce $19 billion in retail sales in the United States.

For more information about visiting California wine country, go to www.californiawineevents.com or www.landofwineandfood.com.