Established in 1972, Dry Creek Vineyard is Dry Creek Valley’s flagship winery and the region’s first new winery following Prohibition. Founder David Stare essentially started a viticultural renaissance here, and the winery made history by planting the valley’s first Sauvignon Blanc vines. Walking the grounds, you get a real sense of that pioneering spirit—this is a place that shaped what Sonoma County wine country became.

The tasting room itself is inviting without being pretentious. You can do a straightforward wine tasting, take a guided tour of the vineyards and production areas, or go deeper with their Meritage blending seminar if you want hands-on experience creating your own wine blend. The winery also hosts special events throughout the year, so it’s worth checking what’s happening when you plan your visit. The staff knows their stuff and explains the winemaking process in a way that actually makes sense, even if wine isn’t your area.

Your dog can come along and hang out on the lawn while you’re tasting—it’s a pleasant spot with good shade and room to move around. The lawn gives dogs space to relax while you’re inside the tasting room (only service dogs are permitted inside). On a nice day, you can easily spend a couple hours here, moving between the outdoor areas and the tasting room.

The vineyard sits right in the heart of Healdsburg’s wine country, so you could combine this with visits to nearby wineries or a walk through town afterward. The setting is working vineyard rather than showy resort-style, which gives it an authentic feel. If you’re driving north from San Francisco toward wine country with your dog, Dry Creek Vineyard makes for a solid stop where you’ll actually learn something about what makes this valley special.