Located near Garden Valley in El Dorado County, Jose Wine Caves sits on a hilltop with sweeping views across the surrounding landscape. This is one of those places where you can easily spend an afternoon without your dog getting bored or you feeling like you’re missing out on anything.

The grounds themselves are worth the drive. There are walking trails that wind through the property, giving you plenty of space to explore beyond the tasting area. Your dog can roam around the outdoor spaces, which means you’re not stuck at a table the whole time. The views from up here really do justify the trip — on a clear day you get a real sense of being in the foothills rather than just at another winery.

The wine selection draws from what’s happening in the region, and you can taste through their current offerings while sitting outside. It’s straightforward tasting without a lot of pretension. They have WiFi if you need to check in on things, though honestly the whole point of coming out here seems to be disconnecting a bit and enjoying the quiet.

What makes this particularly dog-friendly is that they genuinely seem to expect you to bring your dog and let them be part of the experience. You’re not getting the sense that you’re being tolerated — the trails and outdoor setup make it feel like dogs are an intended part of how the place operates. Bring water for your dog since you’ll be out in the open, and consider timing your visit for earlier in the day when it’s cooler, especially in summer. The hilltop location means there’s not a ton of shade, so that matters more than at some other wineries in the area.