On the trail of Sonoma Valley’s dog friendliest destinations.
They give you constant companionship, unconditional love and overly enthusiastic greetings. The least you can do is take Bowser next time you go wine tasting. And so, to all the good doggies out there, we offer this tour. It’s just a sampling of the many Sonoma Valley wineries that welcome man’s, and women’s, and winemaker’s, best friends.
Get Acquainted With Larson’s Labs
Let’s start with the fact that Larson Family Winery’s flagships wines, and biggest sellers, are called Three Lab, then let’s go from there. The vibe at Larson is just incredibly dog gone comfortable. You, your friends and your dog are more than welcome to play bocce ball or toss a few rounds of corn hole while you sip some incredible wines on the back patio. But it won’t be long before you meet the trio. Larson’s Labs come in all colors, yellow, chocolate and black. Once you get to know them, like the wines and the vibe here, you’ll fall in puppy love.
23355 Millerick Road, Sonoma
LarsonFamilyWinery.com
Meet The Pack At Cornerstone
Just around the corner from Larson is Cornerstone. With its incredible art gardens, wineries and fine dining, it’s the ideal lunch pad. No wonder Sunset Magazine will soon be locating its new test kitchen and gardens here. The entire grounds are dog friendly. So take a stroll through the gallery-like gardens, stop into a few dog-welcoming shops. Come to think of it, our next two stops are on the Cornerstone grounds, so lengthen the leash a little and get comfortable.
23570 Arnold Drive, Sonoma
CornerstoneSonoma.com
Lunch At Park 121 Café Grill
This cool, casual restaurant at Cornerstone, focused on local and seasonal, also caters to the canine set. While you dine outdoors on antipasti and house made empanadas, your four-legged friend savors a complimentary organic biscuit. Other specialties, for you, include great salads, burgers, a Cuban sandwich that made Bon Appetit magazine, and homemade desserts. The wine list showcases the Carneros AVA, naturally, seeing as they sit right in the heart of this incredible growing region.
Stay For A Taste At Meadowcroft
A short stroll away is Meadowcroft Wines. These crafters of small lot, award-winning wines take dog friendly a little further. Along with treats and tummy rubs, they host a benefit for Paws for Love (which advocates for local shelters and rescue groups) called Days of Wine and Wags. It’s Saturday, July 25th from noon to 3, and your dog already wants to go. Here in the Meadowcroft tasting room, however, the water bowl is kept full and fresh, and the staff is generous with the treats. Which means Rover stays content while you sip from a selection of wines that range from Viognier, Chardonnay and Riesling to Pinot Noir, Malbec and estate Cabernet Sauvignon.
Breeze Into Anaba Wines
Anaba is the winery equivalent of sticking your snout out the car window. Named for the Anabatic winds that flow through their Carneros estate vineyards, Anaba Wines is all about the breeze. The tasting room is housed in a restored 100-year old farmhouse with a shaded patio overlooking the estate vineyard. While you relax and enjoy a seated tasting on the deck, poochy gets pampered with a fresh water bowl and dog treats. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Rhone varietals and blends with names like Turbine White pay homage to the wind turbines that generate sustainable energy on the property.
60 Bonneau Road, Sonoma, CA 95476
AnabaWines.com
Roam The Grounds At Sebastiani
Head up to the town of Sonoma and, chances are, your dog will catch a scent of the history here. Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery offers over 10,000 square feet of good old-fashioned Sonoma Valley hospitality. And dogs are welcome in the courtyard and picnic area. Those are ideal places to treat your own senses to wines like the Cherryblock Cabernet Sauvignon or an incredible Sauvignon Blanc.
389 Fourth Street East, Sonoma
Sebastiani.com
