Wineries throughout the Napa Valley are celebrated for their Cabernet Sauvignon, their luxurious tasting rooms and, of course, for their winery dogs. Winery dogs are the unofficial mascots of the Napa Valley and Calistoga boasts several handsome canine greeters, as well as a number of wineries where you can BYOP: bring your own pup!
Brian Arden Winery is home-away-from-home to two winemakers and three dogs, including a Golden Retriever named Caleigh, so you might say there are more paws than hands on deck here. Your wine tasting will be conducted on the patio or in the contemporary, Wine Country tasting room with wide windows overlooking nearby vineyards. They welcome your well-behaved dogs along on the visit too!
The experience of wine tasting in the cave or taking a ride through the steep, hillside vineyards at Jericho Canyon Vineyard is like no other in Calistoga or anywhere else. The property maintains the essence of its down-to-earth, family-run roots, with family members often leading private tastings and the family dog, Snowflake, an Imperial Bernese, playing outside. Bring your dog along for your appointment and relax with your fur family!
The owners of Laura Michael Wines often foster puppies for local animal rescue charity, Wine Country Animal Lovers (WCAL), but their own canine companions, Rocki and Posey, can typically be found lounging on the patio just outside the tasting room. These pups promise you’ll love the estate zinfandel, grown on the property just feet from where you get to taste it – and are sure to be welcoming to your pup as well.
Picayune Cellars & Mercantile offers up a relaxing, downtown patio experience and the owner’s beautiful Australian Shepherd, Cachou, is often on hand to meet and greet as you browse the tasting room’s elegant French and American mercantile. Your dog is sure to enjoy people-and-puppy-watching on the front patio, watching Calistoga locals and visitors stroll down the main street.
Von Strasser Family of Wines is housed in a rustic barn setting, serving wines from both the Lava Vine and Von Strasser labels, with unusual varietals like Grüner Veltliner. The last time we visited, their winery dog, Huckleberry, was so deep in slumber in his wine barrel bed, we actually didn’t notice him until he finally woke up to come say hello!
In addition to these six wineries, you’ll also experience great service and great wine at the following dog-friendly establishments:
- Amici Cellars
- August Briggs Winery
- Bennett Lane Winery
- CAMi Vineyards
- Castello di Amorosa
- Clos Pegase Winery
- Envy Wines
- Joseph Cellars
- Madrigal Family Winery
- Maldonado Family Vineyards
- Olabisi Wines
- Romeo Vineyards & Cellars – avid supporters of Wine Country Animal Lovers!
- Tamber Bey Vineyards
- Tedeschi Family Winery
- Tom Eddy Winery
- Vincent Arroyo Winery
Be sure to stop into the Calistoga Welcome Center when you arrive in town to get more information about dog-friendly lodging, dining and things to do. We even have water and treats for visiting canines!