Pet-Friendly Wineries
A great springtime outing to unwind and take in the surroundings when the temperature rises is visiting pet-friendly wineries. And occasionally, a sweet pup by your side makes that cold glass of crisp sauvignon blanc most appreciated.
Wineries, among other companies, have grown progressively pet-friendly in recent years. Although there are many pet-friendly wineries, no one-size-fits-all pet policy exists; hence, before you visit, be sure to research. Here is the information on pet-friendly vineyards, together with advice before you go, what to anticipate, and where to go.
What Are Pet-Friendly Wineries?
Pet-friendly wineries are exactly what they sound like—those where you could bring your animal buddy. Different pet rules, however, often imply varied degrees of “pet friendliness.” Some wineries could mandate pet or breed restrictions, confine pets to specific areas of the winery, or call for the leashing of pets.
Although wineries may refer to themselves as “pet-friendly,” dogs are by far the most often encountered pet at a vineyard. On the other hand, if you have an extremely social cat (or rabbit, lizard, or guinea pig) that performs well in public, you might be able to bring them to a winery open to all animals.
Types of Pet-Friendly Wineries
Consider a theoretical pet-friendliness scale whereby one side is “pet-welcoming” and the other is “pet-permitting.”
Usually, pet-welcoming companies not only let but also promote pets. Amenities, especially for pet owners, abound in pet-welcoming vineyards, including water bowls, treats, poop bag stations, or an on-site dog park. Usually, these places attract a lot of pets and owners.
Pet-permitting companies will usually have less facilities and more regulations in place. One typical restriction at vineyards is letting pets in outside areas but not inside the tasting room.
Respect pet policies and keep in mind that just because rules exist in a location does not indicate the winery owners or employees have anything against animals. Many times, limitations have causes beyond of their reach that include zoning rules or state legislation.
How to Find Pet-Friendly Wineries
A pet-friendly vineyard close by might be found in numerous ways. One of our favorites is using internet tools that already do the research for you. Lists, ratings, and reviews of pet-friendly companies abound on many of these websites. We suggest Bring Fido, which offers ratings of hotels, restaurants, events, and businesses across all 50 states; and Cork Hounds, which allows you to hunt for dog-friendly wineries, vineyards, meaderies, and breweries by zip code.
You might also research the winery’s pet policy just next door. Usually found on their FAQ page, you can find out whether they let pets in. Sometimes it takes some investigation. Should a pet policy not be visible on the corporate website, you might have some luck looking through their social media accounts or inserting the name of the vineyard and “pet-friendly,” or “pet policy,” into a search engine. You might always call a winery last resort to find out about their pet policies. A vineyard may not be very friendly to pets if it is not upfront and does not promote its pet policy.
What to Expect When Visiting a Pet-Friendly Winery
Your pet will probably exhibit some behavioral changes if this is your first time bringing it to a winery or another venue. Although your golden retriever is a well-trained, obedient angel at home, that training may be lost in new surroundings with fresh sights, noises, and scents. Therefore, it is advisable to keep a close eye on her.
Other animal enthusiasts—especially those who are feeling particularly sociable following a glass or two of wine—should also definitely pay some additional attention to you. If your pet is shy, gently encourage individuals approaching it to either leave your pet alone or go slow. Also, keep a watch on kids since wineries sometimes let them in.
It’s always a good idea to bring your own water bowl and lots of fresh water regardless of how welcoming the winery is as you shouldn’t expect them to have everything you will need. To keep your pet busy, you could also choose to pack a toy or snack.
Tips for Visiting a Pet-Friendly Winery
Like other trips, first you should consider: Am I doing this for my pet or for me before bringing your pet to a winery? Consider whether your pet will actually enjoy being somewhere that can be overstimulating or even packed. A few questions you could ask yourself consist of:
- Does my pet like meeting new people and touring unfamiliar locations?
- Does my pet have a biting history, or will they endanger the safety of other people or animals?
- Can my pet settle down and remain quiet in a winemaking setting?
- Will I be able to relax, or will my pet cause me anxiety?
- Here are some pointers should you decide you still want to bring your pet:
Come well-prepared
This entails carrying the water, snacks, and other supplies your pet could need, as well as knowing the winery you intend to visit’s pet policy.
Choose your leash, collar or harness wisely
Your pet will probably have to stay on leash for some time; hence, a harness would be more fitting than a collar. To free your hands, you also might want a leash you could tie to your chair or table.
Know the weather
Bringing your pet to an outdoor winery could be harmful at worst and uncomfortable at best if it is too hot or too chilly.
Beware of grapes
Dogs find grapes poisonous; hence, it is most likely not a good idea to let them stroll through the grapevines of the vineyard, where they could consume dropped grapes.
Be responsible
You ultimately own your pet; hence, you should always be aware of where they are and what they are doing at all times. although you are not ready to take care of your pet throughout your trip, it is advisable to leave them at home, even although it can be tempting to let loose and relax, especially if alcohol is involved.
