In Lower Lake, Napa County, Terrill Cellars Winery sits within the Tuscan Village, a small cluster of shops and tasting rooms that actually feels like someone’s idea of what an Italian village should be. The winery’s tasting room is the main draw here, and they’re genuinely welcoming to dogs — you can bring yours along while you taste through their selection without any fuss or awkwardness.

The Tuscan Village itself is worth exploring while you’re there. Beyond the winery, you’ve got the Tuscan Village Used Bookstore if anyone in your group wants to browse, and the area hosts the annual Lake Renaissance Festival, which brings some life to what’s otherwise a pretty quiet spot. There’s also a wedding chapel on the grounds if you’re curious about the romantic angle they’ve leaned into with the whole Tuscan aesthetic.

Lower Lake is in the less-trafficked part of Napa County, which means it’s considerably calmer than the big-name wine towns. The drive from San Francisco takes about two hours, so it’s not exactly a casual weekend trip, but if you’re exploring the northern reaches of wine country, this is a reasonable stop. The area around Lower Lake itself is fairly rural and agricultural — don’t expect the manicured feel of Napa or Sonoma proper.

What makes Terrill Cellars worth the drive is that it’s genuinely dog-friendly rather than grudgingly tolerant. You can actually settle in with your dog and spend some time with their wines without feeling like you’re imposing. The tasting room has a relaxed vibe that matches the laid-back character of the whole village. If you’re planning a wine country road trip and your dog is coming along, this is one of the few places that doesn’t make you feel like you need to apologize for bringing them.