Lula Cellars sits in what locals call the “Deep End” of Anderson Valley near Philo, a quieter stretch of Mendocino County wine country where you’ll find fewer crowds than at the valley’s more famous spots. The outdoor tasting area looks out over their estate vineyard, and it’s genuinely pleasant to spend an afternoon there with your dog at your side while working through their wines.

The staff knows their vineyards and genuinely enjoys talking about what they’re pouring. They’re not pretentious about it—they’ll chat with you about the wine or the property or whatever you’re curious about without making you feel like you need a degree in oenology. The vibe is relaxed, which helps when you’ve got a dog in tow.

What makes this place practical for traveling with a dog is that they’re fine with dogs in the tasting area itself, not just in some cordoned-off corner. Your dog can hang out while you taste, though you’ll want to bring water for them since wine country afternoons can get warm. The vineyard setting means there’s actual ground (not just concrete) under your feet, and the open layout means your dog won’t feel cramped.

If you’re driving through Mendocino County on Highway 128, Philo is easy to access, and stopping here beats some of the busier tasting rooms you’ll find in Boonville just down the road. Bring a picnic or just do the tasting—either way, it’s a low-key way to spend an afternoon. The estate vineyard views are nice without being dramatic, and that’s kind of the point. This is wine country that still feels like actual farmland, not a theme park version of it.