Paoletti Vineyards sits on 36 acres in Calistoga where they’ve been making Bordeaux and Super Tuscan blends since their first vintage in 1994. The operation is genuinely small-scale—they grow all their own grapes on the property, which you don’t see everywhere. The wines have developed a solid reputation over the decades among people who know Napa’s wine scene, built on the kind of consistency that comes from actually controlling what happens in the vineyard.

What makes this place particularly good if you’re bringing a dog is that they welcome them during tastings. You’re not dealing with some generic “dogs okay” policy—they actually seem fine with it. The experience is by appointment, which keeps things manageable and means you’re not navigating crowds while trying to pay attention to what you’re tasting or keep an eye on your dog at the same time.

The tasting happens with the vineyards visible around you. Calistoga itself is walkable and dog-friendly, with the main drag offering plenty of spots to stretch legs afterward. The town has that slightly worn-in feel that’s more character than polish, with locals who know each other by name and don’t treat visitors like they’re interrupting anything. If you’re staying in the area and doing a wine tasting loop, Paoletti works well because it’s appointment-only so you’re not trying to squeeze in randomly between other stops.

The location puts you near some of the smaller wineries in the northern Napa Valley, so you could structure a day around a few tasting appointments rather than the drive-by model you get in places like Rutherford. Given that they’re selective about their releases and keep things small, the actual tasting experience tends to be more conversational than scripted. It’s worth calling ahead with any specific questions about the appointment process or what to expect.