Dog-Friendly Day Trip

Popular Napa Valley Stops for Pooches and People

(NAPA, CA) — You know the feeling. You’ve grabbed your bag, keys in hands, checked the water bowl and are starting to scoot the dogs out the door. They look at you with that “I can’t believe you are going without me! A ride in the car, no less!” And you feel sad, knowing your four-legged friends should be with you enjoying life as much as you are.

A day of wine tasting and exploring the Napa Valley might seem like a singularly adult recreation – available only to those romantic couples, or groups of friends escaping the hard work of the grown-up world. But, there are many places that are welcoming, even encouraging, to those who want to bring animals and children along.

An easy dog-friendly day trip to Napa Valley can begin in downtown Napa.

Directions: Hwy 29 North to the First Street Exit. Exit right (east) and follow the curve around to Second Street. Stay on Second Street to downtown. Park and enjoy.

The Napa Town Center mall is open-air and it is easy to window shop with friends on leashes. Gillwoods is a happening café with great breakfast and lunch fare located near the center of mall. They have several outdoor areas, one of which they can usually find place for a pooch under the table.

Gillwoods
1320 Napa Town Center, Napa, CA 94559 (707) 253-0409

Or, of course, you can just grab a cup of coffee or a smoothie, along with a cookie or a snack and park yourself and your dogs for a moment of people-watching on one of the many benches around the downtown – including a stroll in Veterans Memorial Park on the Napa River at the corners of Main and Third streets.

After you have reviewed the stores, wine tasting collectives, and restaurants, it is time to get on the road to explore some of the wineries that Napa Valley is famous for. Many wineries are dog-friendly. If you call ahead, you can check and see which grounds allowed visits from pets – almost always on the leash. A few advertise that they are pet-friendly and are known for putting out the welcome mat, or opening the doggie door.

Directions: After you leave downtown Napa, make your way over to Silverado Trail. You may just want to take First Street, turn right and follow until it intersects with “The Trail.” (East of Main Street, First Street becomes two way again. Between Main and California it s one-way heading west). You will turn left on Silverado Trail, heading north.

The first winery to check out is Clos du Val. Clos du Val has been on the Napa wine scene since the 1970s and was one of the handfuls of local wines entered in the now famous Paris Tasting. Well known for its Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignons, its merlots, chardonnays, and pinot noirs also have very popular followings.

Tastings run $5 to $20. Winery guests can bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the Olive Grove and if you can’t tear yourself away, you might want to settle into a game of étanque -- the French version of bocce ball. Not to put pressure on your pooch, but Mike Grgich’s dog Posip is his partner on the courts.

Clos Du Val Winery
5330 Silverado Trail, Napa, California 94558 (800) 993-9463

After leaving Clos du Val, you may want to try the singularly spectacular PlumpJack Winery. This is certainly a stop for those very serious about their red wines, but they are very dog-friendly as well, having their own dog-in-residence.

Directions: Head north on Silverado Trail to Oakville Cross Road. Turn left.

A panoramic view of the Mayacamas and Vaca Mountains enhances the mischief and wit of the PlumpJack Winery tasting room and its surrounding 50 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines. Tastings are $5. If you are into politics and finance, you will know that San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is the founding partner of the PlumpJack Group.

PlumpJack Winery
620 Oakville Cross Road, Oakville, CA 94562 (707) 945-1220

For more dog-friendly fun, you have to stop at V. Sattui Winery.

Directions: Leave PlumpJack and turn right on Oakville Cross Road. Take Oakville Cross to Highway 29. Turn right.

V. Sattui is a very popular place, deservedly so. Here you can stroll the grounds of the beautiful stone winery, pick out food in the deli, wine taste and picnic on the green grounds. Many dogs manage to find their way wine tasting here, on any given weekend you can find a dozen lounging with their people around the picnic tables or on blankets on the grass. Wine Tastings are $5.

V. Sattui Winery
1111 White Lane, St. Helena, CA 94574 (800) 799.2337

By now it is time for dinner. There’s a couple of really cool directions you could go, but probably heading down the road toward home will help make that after dinner drive just a tiny bit shorter. There is no restaurant that will let you bring your dog inside, and some will not let dogs on the patio – Rutherford Grill, will however.

Directions: From V. Sattui turn left on Highway 29 crossing over what can be rather heavy traffic on this thoroughfare (heaviest times are toward the end of the day, holidays and busy weekends can also be problematic). You are now heading south

Rutherford Grill has an excellent patio equipped with its own bar that is open during the warm weather months. For those cool evenings you can gather around the fireplace. Prices are reasonable and they get high marks for their ribs. It is also the hip spot for date night, or looking for a date night.

Rutherford Grill
1180 Rutherford Road, Rutherford, CA 94573 (707) 963.1792