Beaulieu Vineyard has been making wine in Rutherford since 1900, and you can taste more than a century of winemaking tradition in every glass. The vineyard sits right in the heart of Napa’s most prestigious wine country, surrounded by rolling hills and oak trees that make the drive itself worth the trip. Walking through the property, you get a real sense of how seriously they take their craft—the attention to detail extends from the vineyards themselves to the tasting room experience.

The tasting experience here focuses on their estate wines, and the staff knows their stuff. They’ll walk you through the winemaking process and explain what makes their Cabernet and other varietals distinctive. The tasting room has windows that look out over the vineyards, which makes for a nice setting while you’re sampling. If you want a deeper dive, they offer tours that go into the actual production process and the vineyard’s history.

What makes Beaulieu different for dog owners is that they genuinely welcome dogs in their tasting areas. Your dog can come along while you’re exploring, which means you don’t have to choose between a wine visit and bringing your companion. The property has enough space that it doesn’t feel cramped, and the outdoor tasting areas give everyone room to move around comfortably. The staff treats visiting dogs like regular guests, not like an accommodation they’re begrudgingly making.

The location puts you in the middle of Napa’s wine country, so you can easily combine a visit here with other nearby wineries or a stop at one of the local restaurants. Highway 29 runs right through Rutherford, making it straightforward to get there from most Napa locations. If you’re planning to spend time wine tasting with your dog, this is one of the more relaxed and genuinely dog-welcoming spots to do it.