While thoughts of California’s wine country and sprawling vineyards might conjure thoughts of adult-only alone time and girls’ weekend retreats, there’s actually a kid-friendly side to wine-tasting tourism.
While some wine producers require guests to be 21 or older for liability reasons, there are still a host of wineries not only allowing minors and kids to visit, but that also encourage it with fun activities specially designed for them. Mom and dad can taste local wines while the kids enjoy grape juice tastings and visiting farm animals, or stroll through the winery together on a tour.
Make that dream California vineyard vacation a reality with the family with the Wine Institute’s list of family-friendly wineries:
Father and son in Sonoma County Vineyard. Photo: Igor Mojzes | Dreamstime.com
Sonoma County
Start your family-friendly wine tour at ACORN Winery/Alegria Vineyards in Sonoma County. Explore the vineyard together on a family tour, or divide and conquer while the kids draw with crayons, play Legos and cornhole and even taste harvested grapes from the vine. Next up, head to Alexander Valley Vineyards where the kids can visit the vineyard, explore a cave on property and enjoy a family picnic. Famous for his family and on-screen depictions, including The Godfather, it’s pretty fitting Francis Ford Coppola Winery also happens to be family-oriented. Kids can splash around in the swimming pool, check out the library and play board games and bocce ball while the adults sneak off to taste local wines.
Napa Valley
Head to Alpha Omega in Napa Valley with the kids while they express their artistic sides with a coloring book, or make your way to Castello di Amorosa to tour a replica of an Italian castle and dungeon. The kids will sample more grape juice, visit resident peacocks and play. Spend more time in Napa with a visit to Raymond Vineyards, boasting a fun theater theme. Meet all the players, or nature’s actors, including local livestock that plays a role in wine production. Get an eco-friendly tour through Honig Vineyard & Winery, or let the kids run off and play with toys and entertain themselves.
Napa Valley vineyard, California. Photo: Michael Warwick – Dreamstime.com
Paso Robles
Begin at Austin Hope & Treana Tasting Cellar in Paso Robles to take in the stunning views of the vineyard, while the kids play larger-than-life Jenga and other yard games, like cornhole. While in the area, head to Eberle Winery for some cave tours and play bocce with the kids.
Mendocino County
Over in Mendocino, visit Meyer Family Cellars with an outdoor play area for kids; Navarro Vineyards for Pinot Noir grape juice tasting; and Pennyroyal Farm for a meet-and-greet with the local farm animals.
You can have your adult retreat, and family too, with some well-planned, family-focused fun and tours through California’s wine country. Read the full list of family-friendly wineries, all offering fun for all ages.
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