Folktale Winery & Vineyards sits on 15 acres of sustainably-farmed vineyards and gardens in Carmel Valley, right along the Carmel River. The setting is genuinely beautiful—you’ll find yourself surrounded by vines and natural landscape that makes it feel like a real escape, even though you’re close enough to explore the rest of Carmel by the Sea.

The winery welcomes dogs, so you can bring yours along while you taste wine and enjoy the grounds. The whole operation centers on sustainability and quality, which shows in how they manage the vineyards and in what they pour. It’s the kind of place where you can spend a few hours moving between tasting areas, checking out different wines, and just soaking up the Carmel Valley atmosphere without feeling rushed.

They also serve food, which is helpful if you’re planning to stay for a while. Since you’ll have your dog with you, the outdoor setting is really the main draw—you get those scenic views of the vineyards and river valley while you’re tasting rather than being stuck indoors at a bar. On a nice day, this is exactly the kind of low-key wine experience that works well with a dog in tow.

The property is spacious enough that your dog won’t feel cramped, and the staff is accustomed to dog visitors, so you won’t get the feeling you’re imposing. Just keep in mind that well-behaved dogs are the expectation here—this is a working vineyard and tasting room, not a dog park. If you’re heading out to Carmel Valley and want to do some wine tasting without having to leave your dog behind, this is a solid option that actually takes advantage of the outdoor setting rather than just tolerating dogs as an afterthought.