Fogline Vineyards is both a winery and a concept. Launched in 2009, they make small lots of Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah and Chardonnay in the historic Kunde Farmery building. The setup here works well if you’re bringing a dog — there’s an outdoor seating area with red umbrellas and picnic tables, plus a bocce court, all arranged so you’re not cramped together with other tasters.

No reservations are required, which means the tables and bocce court operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Show up early on weekends if you want prime seating in the sun. The space has a casual, unpretentious feel that makes it easy to relax with your dog nearby while you’re sipping through their current releases.

The folks at Fogline are genuinely welcoming to dogs as long as they’re respectful to other customers. Your dog does need to stay on leash and remain under your control the entire time — this is important both for the other visitors and for keeping the experience pleasant for everyone. If your dog is prone to jumping on people or excessive barking, this might not be the best fit, but well-mannered dogs on lead will have no problems.

Getting there is straightforward. From 101, take the River Road exit and head west toward the Russian River Valley wine country. Fogline is the first winery on the right side of the road, so you won’t spend time hunting around trying to figure out which driveway to turn into. The location puts you at the starting point of the wine region, which means you can easily plan a longer tasting afternoon if you want to visit a few places.

Bring water for your dog, especially on warm afternoons when the sun’s hitting the outdoor seating area directly.