Category: Home Winery

Home WineryVineyards
A Shout-Out To California’s Dog-Friendly Wineries

Many wouldn’t readily associate wineries with dogs. However, dogs are increasingly becoming a greater part of our daily lives outside the house. Taking a dog with you when you visit a new location is something that is far from unusual today (crates are big help and you can find the right one at https://www.thepamperedpup.com/best-strongest-indestructible-dog-crate-reviews/). Wineries are examples of locations that are worthy of your consideration when you go somewhere with your dog.

California has several great wineries that are dog-friendly and offer exciting features in addition to welcoming your dog. One of the best things about going to a winery with your furry friend is the range of activities that most of them host that are worthy of your time. You may even be able to take your dog to a restaurant on-site if there is an outdoor seating area.

dog laying by grass

Paso Robles

Barr Estate Winery

This winery is family-owned, offering handcrafted wines in the Geneseo District, making it one of the top dog-friendly wineries Paso Robles. In addition to being dog-friendly, the winery has a tasting room usually staffed by one of the family members. Having family members on-hand in the tasting room allows for a more personal experience, along with hearing interesting stories about how many of these wines came about.

Wine varieties here include:

  • Alianico
  • Albarino
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Malbec
  • Mourvedre
  • Primitivo
  • P. Sirah
  • P. Verdot
  • Tannat
  • Tempranillo

Bon Niche Cellars

This winery sits on 10 acres, with seven acres dedicated to the vineyard, and its dog-friendly reputation is easy to see in the presence of Barley, the resident St. Berdoodle. You’ll often spot him along with vineyard owner, Melani, as she gives guests tours. You can also have a picnic while enjoying the views and wine varieties that include:

  • Bordeaux-style single varietals
  • Cabernet Franc
  • Chardonnay
  • Dessert Wine
  • Malbec
  • Petit Verdot
  • Syrah

Still Waters Vineyards

Still, Waters uses sustainable methods to cultivate its 60 acres of vineyards, an olive grove that includes trees over 130 years old, a Koi pond, and two acres of garden space, complete with a large collection of flowers. The tasting room overlooks the gardens and guests are welcome to use this area for everything from casual picnics to special events, with full table service available to make your event memorable. 

The premium estate wines available include:

  • Cabernet Franc
  • Merlot
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Grenache
  • Malbec
  • Mourvedre
  • Pinot Gris
  • Primitivo
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Syrah
  • Viognier
  • Zinfandel
wine racks

Sonoma

Deerfield Ranch Winery

One of the ways you’ll know your four-legged friends are welcome is by meeting Obi Wine Kenobi, the winery’s resident Standard Poodle. The wine caves and tasting room measure 23,000 sq. ft., giving everyone plenty of room to explore. The tastings start at $10 and water will be available for you and your dog to ensure that everyone stays happy.

Wines that stand out include:

  • White Rex, a signature wine featuring a Star Wars-themed label with an image of Obi Wine
  • Deerfield’s Clean Wine, with low histamine and sulfate content

Larson Family Winery

Three Labrador Retrievers named Buster, Bubba, and Pete, welcome visitors to the winery, which is welcoming to both dogs and kids. These dogs are important enough to warrant their own wine named after them. Dogs are welcome inside the tasting room, which was once a barn. There is also a picnic area, green space, and a place to play cornhole, making this winery a perfect place for family gatherings.

Some of the wines you might try include:

  • Three Lab Chard (chardonnay)
  • Three Lab Cab (cabernet)
  • Albarino
  • Malbec

Mutt Lynch Winery

One of the top dog-friendly wineries Sonoma, this winery is dedicated to dogs, which are the owners’ passion along with crafting wines. Dogs are welcome in the tasting room, where they can interact with guests’ dogs, as well as dogs that belong to the staff. There are plenty of toys and treats to keep your dog content while you sample the wines for free, so you never need to worry about your furry friend getting bored.

Wine varieties (complete with dog-themed labels)include:

  • Cabernet
  • Chardonnay
  • Zinfandel

Roche Winery

This winery has a location in downtown Sonoma that is described as being a perfect people-watching spot with what the owners call Irish hospitality. Patio seating gives everyone a chance to enjoy the outdoors, and there is a fire pit perfect for gathering around on chillier days. There are also plenty of trees that offer shade for you and your dog to relax under. The tasting room offers snacks in addition to barrel tastings.

Some of the wine varieties you’ll enjoy include:

  • Rose
  • Chardonnay
  • Pinot Noir
  • Merlot
  • Syrah
  • Zinfandel
  • Sauvignon Blanc

Napa

Black Stallion Estate Winery

One of the best dog-friendly wineries in Napa, Black Stallion Estate Winery sites on the 32-acre site of an equestrian center. Even though winemaking facilities now occupy the former indoor track, parts of the original stalls are still present. Seated tasting is available where your dog is welcome, and there is also an outdoor area perfect for picnics or having some playtime with your dog.

Wine varieties that you might try include:

  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Chardonnay
  • Red Blend
  • Viognier
  • Sauvignon Blanc

Ideology Cellars

This boutique winery specializes in small-lot wines that help ensure the highest quality possible. Guests can take advantage of both indoor and outdoor tasting rooms, with their dogs being warmly welcomed. There are views of the vineyard and nearby mountains from the tasting area, a well as classes for those with all levels of experience with wine. 

Top wine varieties featured at this winery include: 

  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Red Blend
  • Chardonnay
  • Rose

ONEHOPE

This winery has dedicated itself to charitable causes that include child hunger, outreach to vulnerable LGBTQ youth, vaccination projects, and reforestation efforts. The dog-friendly environment includes gardens that are fun to tour, as well as art. In addition to donating 10% of its sales to charity, the winery also practices sustainable agriculture. Guests visiting this winery will enjoy a peaceful setting.

Some of the wine varieties that are produced include:

  • Sparkling Wine
  • Pinot Noir
  • Zinfandel

Stonehedge Winery

This dog-friendly, artisan winery uses sustainable agriculture to provide a top-quality wine experience. The tasting room has an inviting atmosphere that will make you feel right at home as you sample exclusive wines and wines produced at sister vineyards. In addition to being a great place for family visits, the tasting room is also a perfect venue for larger events such as weddings or parties.

Wines that are available for tasting include:

  • Meritage
  • Shiraz
  • Red Wine
  • Chardonnay
  • Pinot Noir
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Merlot
  • Zinfandel
  • Red
  • Port
  • Sirah
green vineyard

Livermore

Fenestra Winery

Fenestra Winery boasts over 16 acres of vineyards, in a beautiful setting with rolling hills and a lush, green landscape. The rustic setting is perfect for enjoying a picnic, and your dog is welcome to accompany you as you explore the grounds. A band stage is perfect for entertainment, conveniently located near one of the tasting areas, and offering the perfect place to relax after a busy day. Another lawn area on the property hosts a garden featuring repurposed winery materials, and somewhat more intimate experience. The property is also available for venue rentals, such as for weddings or corporate events.

Some of the wines you’ll have the opportunity to try include:

  • Tempranillo
  • Graciano
  • Riesling
  • Port

Page Mill Winery

Page Mill welcomes dogs and is also a popular place for events in addition to regular wine tours and tastings. Thursday evenings feature fundraisers for charities that see 10% of the purchases go to help the cause, helping you to give back to the community. On third Sundays, guests can bring their empty wine bottles for refilling with the wine of their choice. Regular musical entertainment takes place in the vineyard’s patio area, featuring several musical styles and offering a bit of something for everyone.  

Some of the wines you may be able to try include:

  • Muscat
  • Barbera
  • Cuvee Rose
  • Blanc de Blanc
  • Cabernet Franc
  • Petite Sirah

Retzlaff Vineyards

The winery welcomes dogs and children, making it a perfect location for family gatherings. Although children are not permitted inside the tasting area, they are welcome to have fun in the picnic area. Tastings include six samples of different wines and one of the options includes barrel tastings for wines in progress, giving guests a better idea of what to expect in the future. Tours of the historic estate, garden, and organic vineyard are available for an additional fee, giving visitors an insider look at everything this estate has done throughout its history.

The estate’s wines include:

  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Cabernet/Merlot Blend
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Chardonnay
  • Merlot Rose
  • Sparkling Wine
  • Port

Healdsburg

Amista Vineyards

This winery features locally-sourced grapes and uses sustainable practices to help ensure the continued health and quality. Each of the grape varieties used in crafting the vineyard’s wines has several acres of space available. A private patio featuring solar power is available for 60-minute rentals, with cheese and fruit available. Another location available to rent for tastings is a spot that overlooks Dry Creek. A guided tour with tasting is available, and guests are also welcome to take their dogs on a free self-guided tour.

Wines that guests can taste or buy include:

  • Sparkling Grenache
  • Rose de Tres
  • Chardonnay
  • Zinfandel
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Dessert Wine

Christopher Creek Winery

The winery is one of the top dog-friendly wineries Healdsburg. The winery specializes in handcrafted and estate-bottled wines. Keeping the production levels around 4,000 cases yearly allows for better quality. The vineyard spans 11 acres that are ripe for exploration. A rustic-style tasting room awaits, along with a pool and patio that overlooks the vineyards.

Some of the wines awaiting include:

  • Pinot Noir
  • Chardonnay
  • Pinot Noir Rose
  • Voignier
  • Petite Sirah
  • Syrah

Dog-friendly vineyards can be great places for couples, families, and even individuals to visit. Regardless of whether you’re a serious wine enthusiast or are new to the world of wines, visiting a winery is a fun way to treat yourself to a different type of experience. A combination of a great social experience, combined with spending time enjoying nature, is always a winner. 

AerationDIYHome Winery
Proposal: Aerating Wine in Bulk

A huge part of the human population loves to partake in some fine wine, I think we can all agree on that, and there is something about a fine glass of wine that brings a great big smile on our face. You can aerate the water by swirling it around in the glass but aerating the wine exposes it to the oxygen for a certain amount of time that normally takes around thirty minutes. The problem with that is that it will be harder to do this in bulk. So instead of using a decanter to aerate your wine, you can use something that seems a little odd, and that something is an air compressor! With the right setup this will ensure that your wine is aerated in exactly 30 seconds, this will leave all bitterness of the Wine behind while leaving you with a robust taste.

Your wine can be aerated in bulk much, much easier this way rather using the more traditional ways such as decanting etc. Boxed wine would definitely benefit from this home made aeration. After the aerating process you can pour the wine into the decanter from the blender so that you can pour it back into the bottle, never leave wine in a decanter over night, you want it oxidized just enough for that delicious taste you are looking for. Now alternatively, you can definitely leave out a huge array of wine glasses out and pour the wine into them and leave them out for an hour, but I’m sure if you are selling wine you wouldn’t want to do that. If you have an aerator, you can maximize your air contact by pouring the wine into your decanter, this also has the same effect as the air compressor and is more professional, perfect for using if you have guests over for wine and dinner.

These methods can both be used for aerating your wine in bulk, because the amount of time used to aerate the wine will be significantly less than if you were to do it the old fashioned way. The old fashioned way, however can be done if you do it before opening up your winery or home that morning or afternoon, while using that prep time, have some of your assistants or friends and family members help you with the other decanters and aerators that you may have invested in. Using either method will keep customers, friends or family members shocked, and they will keep coming back for more, not only for the taste of the wine you are all drinking, but for the creativity and professionalism that is being used in the process of your wine aeration.

Aeration is a process, an art, that surprisingly not enough wineries do. Depending on your personal take on art, you can even make the air compressor method look more professional than it sounds. Remember that when you are decanting another person’s bottle of wine, be sure to ask for their permission, approval, and be sure to ask them which method they prefer you to aerate their wine with. the aromas of the wine will stand out in your winery or home, which will also add an extra layer of happiness to the experience of the customer or friend. At the end of the day wine is meant to be mastered.

Home WineryWine Cellars
Convert Your Garage To A Wine Cellar

Having the finer things in life without breaking the bank can be achieved. You are probably asking yourself, to what am I referring? Well, I’m discussing having a wine cellar and storage area in your home. Let’s face it, if you are considered middle class, there is only so much space in your house that you have to work with. However, have you given any thought to using your garage? That’s right. Have you ever thought of converting your garage into a wine cellar and storage area? Just think about it. It might be the biggest space inside your home, besides the master bedroom. If you love having a collection of the finest of wines, this may be right up your alley.

This is very easy to do and affordable. Since you are not using your garage to house your vehicles, this is the perfect spot to do this. All you need are good sturdy wine rack shelves and just regular storage shelves. Before you begin any work in the garage, test the temperature. You need to make sure that those bottles of wine will remain cool. In a lot the homes that are built, there is no centralized air conditioning in the garage. It can get really hot and may cause the wine to turn brown and lose its nice aroma. If you need to, try to put in a window unit. It is always good to keep the garage door opener handy if you need to air it out. As far as the storage part goes, most things will be ok. However, unless they are properly sealed, you don’t want to leave chemicals out in the heat that could easily bust open. Having the garage stay cool is vital.

Next, you need to decide which side of the garage is going to be the wine cellar area and what side to use for storage. This is where you can get very creative. Being that a garage is mainly a flat service and is mostly cement, you would need to make sure your shelving does not slide around. The last thing you want is broken bottles.

So let’s say you want to put your wine cellar on the right side of the garage. It’s furthest from the door, which is a good thing. So you would put up side by side wine racks as tall as you need them to be on the right side wall. Make sure to use sturdy would shelving that won’t move much. To hold those bottles. Once you put up the racks, check for sliding. You can put the other shelves up on the left side for the storage of your items. This will keep most things off the floor. You can place chemicals, such as pesticides and motor oil on the bottom level of the storage area. So now that you know how to do this type of project, it’s time to get it done. You will be pleased with the results once it’s finished.