Smiling Dogs Ranch is a boutique winery in Kelseyville where you can actually bring your dog inside the tasting room—something that’s not as common as you’d think at wine country spots. The winery sits on Main Street in town and focuses on small-batch wines, particularly Zinfandel and Barbera, made using ecologically friendly farming methods. What stands out about their operation is the genuine commitment to sustainability. They run the place on solar and wind power, which is refreshing to see at a working vineyard rather than just in the marketing materials.

The tasting room itself has a relaxed feel, which makes sense given the name. You’re not dealing with stuffy wine snob energy here. They host live music events throughout the year, so there’s a good chance you’ll hit one that coincides with your visit—the combination of wine and live performance brings a real energy to the space.

Your dog can come along both at the tasting room on Main Street and out at the ranch property itself, so you’re not stuck choosing between enjoying the wines or exploring with your companion. The setting gives you decent views of the surrounding area, and there’s actually room to move around rather than feeling cramped at a bar.

Lake County wineries tend to be less crowded than Napa or Sonoma destinations, which your dog will probably appreciate. You’ll want to call ahead if you’re planning to visit during an event, just to confirm timing and any details specific to that day. The location puts you close to other Lake County activities if you want to make a longer trip of it, but the winery itself is worth the drive if you’re looking for a low-key wine experience that doesn’t require leaving your dog at the car.