With hundreds of amazing wineries to experience, Napa Valley is an ideal destination not only for adults but for families of all sizes and kids of all ages. Many wineries offer family-friendly venues with plenty of outdoor space for the kids (and well-mannered dogs too!), while the adults can sip and sample world-class wine.

While these wineries welcome and in some cases cater to families, it is important to remember that children of any age always need to be supervised at wineries. Not only is it respectful to tasting room staff and your fellow visitors, but it also keeps your children safe. Most wineries are active production facilities that use heavy machinery, and vineyards are teeming with wildlife that includes coyotes, snakes and other wild animals. Ensure that your favorite winery remains family-friendly by keeping a close eye on everyone in your party!

Insider’s tip: book the first tasting of the morning (usually 10 am at most properties), when tasting rooms are usually quieter and staff can be more flexible. It’s the perfect way to transition into lunch (or naptime) before heading to afternoon activities.

Below are our picks for the top ten Napa Valley wineries that cater to families by providing a welcoming, easygoing experience that invites visitors of all ages to enjoy a taste of the good life in Napa Valley.

  1. Castello di Amorosa

    Explore a Tuscan castle right on the outskirts of Calistoga. While the adults are tasting wine, the Castello offers grape juice tasting for youngsters in a friendly Knights Hall tasting room, with a grand table for coloring. Tour the astonishing 13-century style edifice with its moat, drawbridge, and even a torture chamber, as well as all its artifacts in its 100+ rooms. Everyone will also love visiting with the winery’s many animals in the outdoor “zoo,” from peacocks and emus to exotic chickens, pigs, sheep, and goats. Of note, strollers are not allowed inside the Castello.

  1. Hoopes Vineyard

    Bring big and little farm enthusiasts to visit Oasis at Hoopes Vineyard, a regenerative farm, garden, and rescue animal sanctuary near Yountville. Adults can buy wines by the mini bottle, and instead of a traditional tasting, outdoor tables are booked by the hour for a casual family-friendly experience (but reservations are required). There’s also a seasonal onsite farmers’ market for healthy snacks.

  1. Cakebread Cellars

    A family-owned winery, Cakebread has a unique tasting experience for families. As part of their Family Tasting, adults sample four wines and the kids can listen in while having a walking tour of the gorgeous winery grounds. Older kids especially might find it interesting to get some insight into their parents’ taste buds and learn a little about wine as well (they are the next generation of wine drinkers, after all). Family tastings are daily at 10am and reservations are required. While there, kids might also get a chance to see the winery’s falcon who is released to scare off smaller, migrating birds that might damage the wine crop.

  1. Laird Family Estate

    The expansive grounds and flexible tasting options at Laird Family Estate make it easy to enjoy a tasting with the family. The winery offers a variety of tasting experiences which can be enjoyed on the front patio overlooking the Napa Valley, on the cement patio over the production facilities, or you can even simply buy a bottle, grab a blanket and lounge out on the lawn. You can buy bites on-site, or bring your own picnic to make it a full family meal.

  1. V. Sattui Winery

    This St. Helena winery offers the perfect setting for parents, kids, and dogs across its 2 acres of picnic grounds. Their deli onsite offers artisan sandwiches, pastas, salads, and, of course, charcuterie, making it easy to pull together a picnic lunch that will please even the little ones. On Saturdays, BBQ and wood-fired pizzas are also offered. While parents enjoy their wine purchase, kids can run around and get their wiggles out before heading off to their next valley adventure.

  1. Tres Sabores

    A family-owned, woman-led winery, Tres Sabores offers families the opportunity to bring in their own picnic lunch and reserve a table complete with white linens, silverware, house-made condiments, and more. While there, it’s very likely kids will meet one of the vineyard’s dogs, as well as see some of the winery’s sheep, chickens, lambs, and goats. Kids can also play cornhole while the parents taste the wines and might even be able to sample some of the produce from the seasonal garden.

  1. Raymond Vineyards

    What’s fun about Raymond is exploring its unique rooms and gorgeous property – in particular, the winery’s Theater of Nature is perfect for family exploration (with a glass of wine in hand, of course). This educational experience showcases Biodynamic farming across the gardens. Entering via a white curtain (just like a theater), families will find dramatic white chairs perfect for next year’s Christmas card photo. Signs in the garden provide educational information on the type of plants and their uses while the chickens and goats nearby provide the backdrop sounds (and petting opportunities). The “hanging frame wall” with the vineyard backdrop is also a popular photo spot.

  1. Honig Vineyard & Winery

    Offered twice a day, the team at Honig Winery curates a family-friendly tasting experience with space at the table for kids. Children receive juice and a snack to enjoy while their adult companions enjoy the Honig Family Terrace Tasting while relaxing on the outdoor terrace overlapping the nearby vineyards. Picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-serve basis if your plans also include lunch before heading out to your next activity.

  1. Frog’s Leap Winery

    The wines are great, yes, but this place goes beyond the normal tasting houses to include some family-friendly stuff as well. Casual and dog-friendly (on a leash, please), a leaping frog weathervane sits atop the large, red barn-inspired winery building in Rutherford near the center of Napa Valley. Visitors are encouraged to wander the extensive grounds and gardens devoted to sustainable farming. While the parents are tasting wine, kids can color alongside them or enjoy a movie (free WiFi). It is recommended that families come before noon so they can be accommodated more easily.

  1. Inglenook

    This winery is for the older kids: Children must be at least 12 years old to visit Inglenook, where they will have the opportunity to explore the Chateau, caves, and vineyards. At the European-style Bistro on site, parents can enjoy wines by the glass or bottle, and everyone can dig into the cheese and charcuterie. Nearby, the kids can borrow wooden boats to sail in the fountain’s reflecting pool, reminiscent of the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris (which the winery gardens were inspired by).

 
 
Looking for other activities beyond wine tasting? Find more kid-friendly things to do in Napa Valley

Also check out our favorite wineries for picnics, most of which are kid friendly too!