Grgich Hills Estate in Rutherford sits on the eastern side of the Napa Valley, where the winery has been making wine since the 1970s. The estate focuses on a tight lineup of just six wines, and they take their time with each one—you can taste that care in every glass. Their Chardonnay is particularly solid, with the kind of depth and balance that shows what Napa fruit can do when it’s handled thoughtfully.

What makes this place worth the drive if you’re traveling with a dog is their straightforward dog-friendly policy. You can bring your dog right along to taste wines on the premises. The grounds are pleasant, and well-behaved dogs are genuinely welcome to roam the property while you’re sampling. It’s not a huge, crowded tasting room situation, so it feels manageable with a dog in tow—you’re not navigating through massive crowds or dealing with the chaos that can happen at some of the bigger operations in Napa.

The winery sits among the other Rutherford estates, so if you’re spending a day in the area, you could combine this with a walk down Rutherford Road or a visit to one of the nearby parks. The tasting experience is fairly traditional—you’ll get to know what they’re working with, and the staff will talk through the wines without overselling things. It’s the kind of place where they’re genuinely interested in sharing what they make rather than rushing you through the tasting.

If you’re planning to visit, their website has current tasting information and any details about reservations you might need. Bringing your dog along makes it a more relaxed way to spend an afternoon in wine country, especially if you want to avoid leaving them at your hotel while you’re out exploring.