Hovey Winery sits in Murphys, right in the heart of California’s Gold Country, and has been running since 2008 as a small family operation. They focus on quality over quantity—back in 2009 they were producing just 600 cases—and that approach carries through to their wine selection today. You’ll find Chardonnay, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Barbera, and Chuck’s signature Tempranillo on their list.

What makes Hovey work well for a dog visit is their outdoor tasting setup. Dogs on leashes are welcome out there, so you can work through their wines while your dog settles in beside you. The Gold Country area around Murphys has that genuine Sierra foothill feel—old mining history, scattered among modern amenities—so the whole atmosphere lends itself to a relaxed afternoon rather than a rushed tasting room experience.

The winery’s small scale means it doesn’t feel overwhelming, and the staff treats the operation like they actually care about it, which comes through when you’re tasting. Since they’re keeping production deliberately modest, the wines reflect that hands-on approach. The outdoor space gives your dog room to move around a bit without feeling cramped, and the setting itself—Gold Country landscape—beats sitting inside a dark tasting room.

Murphys itself is worth a wander if you’ve got time. It’s a genuine old Gold Rush town with character, and there are a few other wineries and tasting rooms clustered nearby if you want to make a longer day of it. The main street has shops and places to grab food, so you can piece together an actual outing rather than just hitting one spot.

Check their website or give them a call to confirm their tasting room hours before you head out, since small family wineries sometimes adjust seasonally or for special events.