NAPA, Calif. — You might think kids would be about as welcome at a winery as cork taint. But happily for those who didn’t lose their palates when they became parents, there are wineries that welcome all in the family.
Want to tour a castle, picnic under the trees or take a quick dip in a pool? Those are some of the options available, part of a trend that has seen more wineries expanding the visiting experience to include much more than tasting.
At Raymond Vineyards in St. Helena, owner Jean-Charles Boisset has more than a passing interest in making a place for children. He’s a new father to twin girls with wife Gina Gallo.
Raymond has a grove where you can start up a game of croquet or bocce, as well as a fruit orchard to explore. A Theatre of Nature is under construction that will feature sheep, goats, chickens, a sensory garden and more and is aimed at explaining the winery’s natural approach to wine-growing.
It bears mentioning that visiting a winery with children requires planning. You’ll know best how long your child can stay entertained and with what. One child might be perfectly happy playing with toy boats; another might be moved to get in touch with his inner Blackbeard.
In general, check first to make sure you’re visiting a winery with a child- friendly attitude, and look for places that have extensive grounds with features that could amuse a child, such as fountains. And be prepared to provide intense supervision.
One place to visit is the Sterling Winery in Calistoga, where you take a short gondola ride up the side of a mountain to reach the winery. Sterling is also close to another wine country attraction that’s popular with families, Calistoga’s Old Faithful Geyser.
Here are two more places in the Napa Valley and neighboring Sonoma County that can be good options when you’re traveling en famille.
Francis Ford Coppola Winery: A true resort, this winery near Healdsburg in Sonoma County has a lifeguard- staffed pool and a restaurant, Rustic. Families can rent towels and a small cabine with a shower. Poolside drink service is available. There’s live music in the Pavilion on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Coppola is a pioneer in welcoming children. His Rubicon Estate winery (recently renamed Inglenook) in the Napa Valley has wooden sailboats children may sail in the fountain outside Mammarella’s cafe.
Castello Di Amorosa: How about a tour of a 107-room castle built in the style of 13th-century Tuscany? Castello di Amorosa, built by Napa Valley vintner Dario Sattui, has turrets, towers, dungeons and more. Children of all ages are welcome at the castle, which is a real working winery, although you must be 5 or older to take the 60-minute tour or the horse- drawn carriage tours available on Saturdays. Sattui’s other winery, V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena, is another good choice for families because of its extensive picnic grounds and deli.
Insider’s Guide
Napa Valley vintners’ family-friendly wineries:
Raymond Vineyards: 849 Zinfandel Lane, St. Helena, Calif; or 707-963-3141. Open daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tasting fees start at $15.
Francis Ford Coppola Winery: 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, Calif.; or 707-857-1400. Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. Wine tasting 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Swimming pool 11 a.m.-6 p.m., 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Pool passes including towel: adults, $15; kids 3-15, $10; children under 3, free. Cabines $75, includes two adult pool passes, two kids or seniors pool passes and four towels. Cabines can be reserved in advance.
Castello Di Amorosa: 4045 N. St. Helena Highway, Calistoga, Calif., or 707-967-6272. Open daily 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. March-October. Tour and tasting starts at $32 per adult. Entrance fees for children ages 4-20, $7, under 3 free. Tour fees for children, ages 5-20, $22, includes juice and entrance fee.
V. Sattui Winery: 1111 White Lane, St. Helena, Calif; or 707-963-7774. Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Tastings start at $5. Picnic grounds open only to guests who buy food, drink from the winery.
