Fleur de Lys Winery sits in the Sierra Foothills near Fair Play, a historic mining town that’s become the heart of El Dorado County’s wine country. The drive itself is worth the trip — you wind through quiet backroads with views of vineyards and rolling hills, and the air gets noticeably cleaner the higher you climb. It’s about an hour from Sacramento or Reno, making it a solid day-trip option if you’re looking to escape the valley heat.

This is wine country without the crowds or pretension you might find in Napa. Fair Play has developed a real community of family-run wineries, and Fleur de Lys fits right into that mix. The vineyard overlooks the valley, and you can actually sit outside with a glass and watch the vines spread across the landscape — no indoor tasting room feeling required. It’s the kind of place where you understand why people drive out here specifically to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Dogs are welcome on the grounds, which means your dog gets to experience the same views and fresh mountain air you’re enjoying. Bring a picnic lunch like the winery suggests and you’ve got a full afternoon planned without much fuss. The tasting experience is straightforward — you’re here to taste the wines and enjoy the setting, not navigate some elaborate hospitality theater.

Fair Play itself has enough small producers and quiet spots that you can easily string together a longer outing. Between Fleur de Lys and the neighboring wineries, you could spend the whole day exploring without feeling rushed. The backroads between properties are peaceful and lined with oak trees, which means your dog will appreciate the walk as much as you appreciate the wine. Check their website for current hours before heading out, since seasonality affects their schedule.