Amici Cellars sits just a short drive from downtown Calistoga with views that stretch toward the Palisades—the kind of vineyard setting that makes you understand why people move to Napa Valley in the first place. The winery has been around for over 25 years, and that experience shows in how they handle both their wines and their dog-owning guests.

The setup here works well if you’re traveling with a dog. There’s a patio where you can bring yours along, and they offer private tasting room experiences if you’d prefer something more intimate. The patio gives you that balance between being part of the action and having your own space, which matters when you’ve got a dog in tow. You’re not stuck in a loud tasting room with a anxious dog or relegated to standing outside with a plastic cup.

What I appreciated was how straightforward they are about the dog situation. It’s not treated like some trendy add-on—it’s just part of how they operate. They’re set up to handle it, which means your dog won’t be an afterthought while you’re trying to enjoy a tasting.

The wines themselves lean toward what you’d expect from a Napa winery focused on quality over flash. The private tasting experience means you’re getting someone’s attention rather than being moved through a group tasting. That matters whether you’re alone or with friends and your dog.

You’ll want to book ahead for a tasting appointment rather than showing up cold. The location near downtown Calistoga means it’s easy to combine with other stops in the area—there’s plenty of walking around town afterward if you want to work off some energy with your dog before heading back to wherever you’re staying.