They used to call it Steinbeck Wine Country, and the views celebrated in “East of Eden” are just as bucolic as in the famous author’s time. Nowadays, 12 wineries hugging the hills above Steinbeck’s old haunts in the Salinas Valley are known as the River Road Wine Trail, and word about their great wines and unpretentious tasting rooms is getting out. Travelers who explore these hidden gems along the River Road/Foothill Road corridor in Monterey County will find their dogs welcome just about everywhere, so don’t even hesitate about bringing yours along.
Smith Family Wines is an artisan operation in the Santa Lucia Highlands whose tasting room offers some of the most beautiful views overlooking the valley and the vineyards. When you arrive, you’ll get a warm welcome from the winery’s resident dogs, Sam and Joe, who are always eager to greet visitors. The inviting atmosphere means you can pull up a stool at the indoor bar and sip their wines—Alexander-Smith, Paraiso, and Irie varieties among them—while your dog settles in nearby.
If your dog prefers outdoor space, the back deck is a great option. You can lounge there with your pup while eating a picnic lunch surrounded by those stunning landscape views. The giant stone fire pit is another cozy spot, especially on cooler afternoons, where you can sit with your dog and take in the vistas across the valley.
The Smith family runs the operation with a focus on sustainable farming methods, and they’re genuinely interested in talking about their wine-making process if you want to learn more. There’s no pretense here—it’s the kind of place where you feel comfortable asking questions and lingering without pressure to buy more tastings.
The real draw is how the location itself feels removed from the busier wine country crowds further north. You get serious wines and serious views without the formality, and your dog gets to experience it all alongside you. The combination of that long valley vista, the comfort of Sam and Joe’s presence around the tasting room, and the genuine hospitality makes it worth the drive into Soledad.
