Alger Vineyards sits in the quiet Manton area of Tehama County, where the elevation and cool nights work in favor of serious winemaking. The tasting room welcomes dogs throughout, and smaller dogs can even head upstairs to join you while you’re sampling wines. That’s a nice setup if you’ve got a dog who gets anxious being left alone in the car.

The vineyard focuses on varietals that thrive in their climate conditions. Their Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah (labeled “Lusty Red Dress”), and Zinfandel reflect what the Shasta Cascade region does well. You’re tasting wines made from grapes grown right on the property, which matters more than you’d think for consistency and character. The higher altitude here means those cool nights slow down ripening and let flavors develop more gradually—it’s why some of the best wine regions in the world sit at elevation.

What works well about visiting with your dog is that the vineyard doesn’t treat it as an afterthought. The owners clearly understand that people want to bring their dogs along, so they’ve designed things to actually accommodate that rather than just tolerating it. If you’ve got a small dog, being able to take them upstairs means they’re part of the tasting experience rather than waiting downstairs or outside.

The Shasta Cascade area isn’t as crowded as wine regions closer to the Bay Area or wine country proper, so you’ll find a quieter tasting experience. Bring your dog on a mild day—the elevation means it can get warm in summer, even though nights cool down nicely. The website has current information about their wine selection and any special releases they might have going on.