California Wineries Go Family-Friendly

Wine tasting and vineyard tours may not be the first thing you’d think of for family travel, but several of California’s Napa and Sonoma Valley vintners roll out the red carpet for wine lovers with children in tow.

Napa Valley’s oldest estate, Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, has plenty of redwood-shaded lawns for kids to run around. You can even rent a family cabana for a leisurely stay. A bonus for everyone is the wood-fired pizza, and, in summer, there are often outdoor concerts.

Also in St Helena, V. Sattui Winery is a great place for a family picnic along with your wine tasting. Choose fresh-baked breads and charcuterie or custom-built sandwiches at the winery’s Artisan Deli or share a woodfired pizza. Kids also have plenty of space to run here.

For the wow effect, it’s hard to beat Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga, a replica of a 13^th-century castle, where you can taste wines in Knights Hall. Kids love touring the 100-room castle, complete with its torture chamber, and are offered grape juice so they can join parents in a tasting. Note that even young children are charged admission of $25.

Sonoma Valley wineries are also just as welcoming to children. Live music in the summer and activities for all ages attract families to Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville. Swim in the pool or rent a cabana with lounge chairs for a leisurely day out; older kids will love learning all about The Godfather and other Francis Ford Coppola films.

The sustainable Benziger Family Winery in Glen Ellen goes all out for kids, with a playground, bird zoo and tours of the biodynamic vineyard in a tram pulled by a tractor. In Kenwood, Landmark Vineyards entertains families with a bocce ball court and horse-drawn wagon rides in the summer. There’s also a picnic area, and the tasting room is well supplied with coloring books for kids while parents sample wines.

Not all wineries require reservations for tastings, but some have special hours for families, so it’s always wise to call ahead.