Rios-Lovell is a family-owned winery sitting on 64 acres in the Livermore Valley, and the hilltop location on Tesla Road means you get sweeping views of the surrounding vineyards and mountains—the kind of vista that makes you understand why people settled this area for wine in the first place. Everything happens on-site: they grow, produce, and bottle their own wines and Ports, so you’re tasting something made right where you’re standing.

The tasting room itself has real character. Hand-crafted murals cover the walls in the main room, and white oak and stone finishes give it a warm, lived-in feel that doesn’t try too hard. The staff is genuinely friendly and knows their wines well. It’s the kind of place where you can spend an afternoon without feeling rushed.

What makes this spot work especially well with a dog is the outdoor seating setup. You’ve got multiple areas where you can spread out with your own food or grab snacks to pair with tastings. Bring a picnic blanket and sandwiches from a nearby deli, settle into one of the outdoor spots, and your dog can relax on the grass while you work through a flight of their award-winning wines. The shade situation varies depending on where you sit, so aim for morning or late afternoon visits during summer heat.

The 64-acre property means there’s actual space to move around if you want to take a break from the tasting room. Dogs do need to stay on leash (standard for wineries), but there’s enough room that a walk around the grounds feels like a genuine outing rather than just a quick circuit. The hilltop location also means the breeze usually keeps things comfortable, even on warm days.