Riverbench Vineyard sits along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail in Santa Maria, part of Santa Barbara County’s Central Coast wine region. The main tasting building is a beautifully restored 1920s craftsman-style house, which gives the place a genuine old-California feel rather than the polished commercial vibe of some larger wineries.

The real appeal for visiting with your dog is the grounds themselves. There’s a garden area where you can spread out, and they’ve got a bocce ball court and horseshoe pit if you want to do something beyond just sipping wine. Your dog can be on leash and wander around with you while you explore the vineyard views. It’s the kind of space where you can actually move around and relax rather than being stuck at a tasting bar.

What makes this different from a lot of wine country spots is that you’re not just sitting in one room — you can take your time strolling through the actual vineyard if you want. The scenery is genuinely nice, and on a clear day you get good views of the surrounding Santa Maria wine country. The wines here are worth paying attention to if wine is your thing, and they do award winners, but the main draw for most dog owners will be that combination of being able to explore outside while still having access to tastings.

The place has a casual, unpretentious atmosphere. It doesn’t feel like a scene or somewhere you need to dress up. You can show up in your vineyard clothes and no one’s going to care. Just keep in mind that leashed dogs only, so your dog needs to be comfortable walking around on a lead while you taste wine. It’s worth checking their website before you go to confirm current hours and any seasonal changes to their operating schedule.