Rutherford Hill Winery sits off the Silverado Trail in Rutherford, and if you’re driving through Napa Valley with your dog, it’s worth the detour. The tasting room has views that genuinely are impressive—rolling vineyards and hills that make you understand why people spend so much time in this region. Dogs are welcome in the tasting room and on the grounds, which means you can actually bring your dog inside to sample wines while they hang out with you.

The main draw here is the tour of their caves, which stretch nearly a mile underground. It’s genuinely cool—you walk through tunnels carved into the hillside where they age their wines, and the whole operation gives you a real sense of how seriously they take their winemaking. The caves stay around 58 degrees year-round, which is actually pleasant on a hot day, and your dog will appreciate the cooler temperature too. The tour explains their process and the history of the winery in a straightforward way, not overly complicated.

After the cave tour, you can do a picnic in the oak grove on the property. Bring your own food or order from them—it’s a genuinely nice spot to sit for a while, and your dog can relax in the shade while you enjoy a glass of wine and some food. The oak trees are substantial, so there’s real shade, not just dappled light.

You’ll want to make a reservation ahead of time, especially if you’re planning to do the cave tour. Weekends get busy, and they’ll want to know you’re coming. The whole experience—tasting room, caves, and picnic—gives you a solid half-day in Rutherford. If you’re staying in Napa Valley for a few days with your dog, this is one of the few wineries where they genuinely integrate dogs into the experience rather than just tolerating them.