The Perfect Blend: California Wine Country with Kids

I would like to dispel the myth that kids are not welcome at wineries. We’ve been to Sonoma

and Napa numerous times with our young daughter, and we keep coming back because our

whole family loves it (even my non-wine-drinking husband). Our first trip was when our

daughter was six months old, on the idea that we needed to start “flight-training” her. Sonoma provides a short, easy flight from Orange County. Tip: I recommend flying into Oakland rather than San Francisco International Airport. If we're going for a longer trip, we tend to drive because having a car makes exploring easier. We found the easiest trips with young ones are places with wide open spaces for them to run around and schedules that are relaxed and flexible, which is why Sonoma makes a wonderful getaway.

Where to drink

Many wineries have gardens to explore, bocci ball courts, large lawn areas, outdoor art collections, or picnic areas where guests can relax while they leisurely enjoy the wine. There is a long list of wineries that welcome children. Here are just a few of my favorite wineries that allow kids. It’s best to call or check the website if you are interested in a specific

winery. Tip: take a soccer ball, hula-hoop, or other portable lawn game.

Larsen Family Winery offers a relaxed atmosphere with space to spread out. Kids will love the farm animals and the family’s 3-legged dog. In the Fall, kids will get a kick out of grape stomping. The wine is good too! Feeding the goats at the Truett-Hurst Winery is always a big hit with our daughter. Belden Barns Farmstead & Winery offers children a scavenger hunt adventure backpacks with binoculars and other fun items, inviting them to explore the expansive 55-acre property in search of flora, fauna, and other delightful treasures.

Where to stay

My new favorite place to stay is the Montage Healdsburg, which opened in December 2020. Each room embraces the natural surroundings. The Montage is a place that seamlessly blends luxury and family. Along with 5-star accommodations and service, it also offers special children’s programming at the Paintbox, as well as “Kid’s Night Out” so parents can get away for a private evening. Another place I return to again and again is the Carneros Resort and Spa. The property is made up of cottages and homes – each with its own private patio, giving kids and families a little extra living space. Don’t miss breakfast at the Boon Fly Café – even if you aren’t staying there. Its location is ideally positioned for exploring both Napa and Sonoma. Its southern location also makes it closer to the airport than areas like Healdsburg, which will add an additional hour to the journey. That said, I consider Healdsburg worth the extra drive. It tops my list of places to stay when visiting the wine country. On our last trip, we rented a private estate with a four-bedroom house with a guest cottage, plus a very hip Airstream. The separate buildings were perfect for our extended family. The bocci ball court provided us with fun-filled evening entertainment.

Where to play

If you find yourself staying at a vacation rental, but craving a little resort time spend the day

visiting the pools at the Francis Ford Copalla Winery. You can enjoy private tent-like cabines.

Each cabine comes equipped with a private shower, space to change, towels for day use, plus á la carte poolside food and drink service. Cabine reservations are required. Tip: They typically fill up fast, so mark your calendars. Summer reservations will open soon!

There are so many fantastic things to do outside of wine tasting. If you’re looking to soak in the natural beauty of Sonoma County and beat the summer heat, take a swim in the Russian River. There are numerous pebble beaches perfect for swimming, like Johnson’s Beach, where you can rent intertubes, kayaks, beach chairs, and umbrellas. Tip: take swim shoes! Fun-loving groups will love floating the Russian River on an innertube. Floats range anywhere from 1 to 3 hours. You can also take the hour-long drive over to the beautiful northern California coast, take a cooking class, go on a hike, or hit the Sonoma Outlets. The possibilities are endless.