David Girard Vineyards sits at about 1,200 feet elevation in Placerville’s Sierra foothills, on land that once yielded gold during the 1849 California Gold Rush near the south fork of the American River. The vineyard grows Rhône Valley grape varietals in conditions shaped by the specific soil, temperature, and climate of this region—the kind of specifics that matter when you’re trying to understand why certain wines taste the way they do.

Dogs are welcome here on leash with adult supervision, which means you can actually bring your dog along while you’re tasting. The grounds are spacious enough that you and your dog can walk around the vineyard between tastings, though there’s a practical detail worth knowing: depending on how busy the tasting room is, staff may ask you to come inside for each pour rather than have wine brought outside. This happens because managing service gets tricky when there’s a crowd, so it’s worth calling ahead to understand what the day might look like.

Advance reservations for tastings are a smart move. When you make one, you can also ask about their current pet policies and how they’re handling things when you visit. You could set up a picnic on the grounds if conditions allow, which gives you options for how to spend your time there beyond just the tasting room itself.

The combination of vineyard views, the history embedded in this particular piece of El Dorado County, and the fact that your dog doesn’t have to stay home makes this a different kind of winery outing. You’re not just there to taste wine—you’re actually spending time outside on the property with your dog. That’s a meaningful difference from wineries where dogs aren’t an option. The picnic setup means you can extend your visit and make an actual afternoon of it rather than rushing through a tasting.