Lewis Grace Winery sits on the grounds of the former Irving Ranch, a property dating back to 1890, giving the place a real sense of history as you walk the vineyard rows with your dog. Located in Placerville in El Dorado County’s Gold Country, this is one of those spots where you can spend a few hours tasting wine without worrying about leaving your dog behind in the car.

The winery focuses on ultra-premium estate wines made from grapes grown right on the property at Grace Vineyards. What makes a visit here different from typical wine country stops is the actual ranch setting—you’re not just in a tasting room, you’re moving through working vineyards with genuine character. The landscape gives you plenty to look at beyond just wine glasses, and there’s room to move around comfortably with a dog in tow.

The tasting experience lets you sample their different estate wines while getting a feel for the specific terroir of this part of the region. Dogs are welcome throughout the property, so you can wander the grounds at your own pace rather than being confined to a designated area. It’s genuinely laid-back in that way—more like visiting someone’s working ranch than checking off a tourist destination.

Placerville itself is a worthwhile stop if you’re spending time in El Dorado County. The area has decent walking options around town, but the winery itself is where you’ll want to settle in for an afternoon. The combination of actual vineyard land, the historic ranch backdrop, and a real welcome for dogs makes this feel like a place where you’re actually part of the operation rather than herded through a visitor experience. Bring water for your dog and plan to stay a while if the weather’s nice—there’s real space to just be here.