Silver Mountain Vineyards sits high above Los Gatos with views that stretch all the way to Monterey Bay, and dogs are completely welcome to come along. The setting is genuinely spectacular—you’re surrounded by vineyards and forest, with enough space that your dog won’t feel cramped while you’re working through their wine list.

The winery focuses on premium wines, and they’ve picked up awards for their selections. You can taste at a comfortable pace with your dog nearby, which beats trying to figure out pet-sitting arrangements just to spend an afternoon wine tasting. The grounds have room for dogs to move around, so you’re not stuck at a single table the whole time.

Getting up to the mountain vineyard means a drive into the hills above the Bay Area floor, but the elevation gives you that sense of being away even though you’re still in Santa Clara County. The combination of wine tasting and actual outdoor space makes it different from tasting rooms crammed into downtown Los Gatos where your dog would be sitting on concrete.

The view itself is worth the drive—seeing the bay spread out in front of you while you’re holding a glass of wine is the kind of thing that sticks with you. It’s the sort of place where you can actually spend a few hours instead of rushing through a quick tasting.

Since they do special events throughout the year, it’s worth checking their website to see what’s happening when you’re planning to visit. Hours vary seasonally, so confirming before you go up the mountain saves a wasted trip.