25 Dog-Friendly Wineries in the Willamette Valley for 2024
Are you wondering if dogs are allowed at wineries? Debating whether it’s the right decision to bring your dog wine tasting? Don’t sweat it! There are a LOT of dog-friendly wineries in the Willamette Valley.
As I write this, it’s 83 degrees and sunny. The idea of sitting on a covered patio drinking a crisp Oregon Pinot Gris with my pup nestled at my feet sounds pretty great right now. This could be you!
I’ve worked at several wineries that allow dogs and I know how excited we can get when we see a four-legged cutie walk through the door. Below are several of my favorite dog-friendly wineries in the Willamette Valley, plus a few tips on making your visit smooth and worry-free.
My Dog-Friendly Recommendations for Oregon Wine Country
Oregon wineries have always seemed a little more relaxed than other major wine destinations. There’s a spirit of inclusion and friendliness, and that spirit is frequently extended to your pet. Here are some of my picks:
Adelsheim Vineyard (Newberg, OR)
One of the oldest wineries in the Willamette Valley. Founded in 1971, Adelsheim Vineyard is a pioneer of the Oregon wine industry. Adelsheim offers beautiful views of the Chehalem Mountains. Dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio, and water bowls are provided to keep them hydrated.
Alloro Vineyard (Sherwood, OR)
This is one of my favorite wineries to taste at. I just love the setting and tasting room design, I wish this was my house! Alloro Vineyard is an Italian-inspired estate and sometimes showcases Italian grapes. Your furry friends can join you in the outdoor seating areas, making it a delightful stop for both wine and dog lovers.
Argyle Winery (Dundee, OR)
Argyle Winery, founded in 1987, is renowned for its sparkling wines. Located in Dundee, Argyle offers a range of wines including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling. Dogs are allowed on the patio, where water bowls are readily available.
Archery Summit (Dayton, OR)
Established in 1993, Archery Summit is famous for its Pinot Noir and unique cave. Their brand new tasting room is really classy. Dogs allowed on the patio.
Bethel Heights Vineyard (Salem, OR)
Family-owned since 1977, Bethel Heights Vineyard focuses on sustainability. Known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it offers picturesque vineyard views and allows dogs to accompany their owners in outdoor areas.
Brooks Winery (Amity, OR)
Founded in 1998, Brooks Winery is dedicated to biodynamic farming and offers a wide range of wines. Really solid lineup of Rieslings. With long-ranging views, Brooks welcomes dogs on the patio and provides water bowls.
Cristom Vineyards (Salem, OR)
Cristom Vineyards, founded in 1992, is renowned for its single-vineyard Pinot Noir and sustainable practices. Dogs can join their owners in the outdoor seating areas, making it a pet-friendly destination.
Colene Clemens (Newberg, OR)
Located on a beautiful site tucked into the hills west of Newberg. Well-behaved dogs are welcome if kept leashed. Small bites available for purchase
Domaine Drouhin Oregon (Dayton, OR)
Established in 1987 by the Drouhin family of Burgundy, France, Domaine Drouhin is known for its elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Dogs are welcome on the patio, where water bowls are provided.
Domaine Serene (Dayton, OR)
Founded in 1989, Domaine Serene is definitely the highest profile winery in the area. They’re going for show, and their luxurious tasting room offers killer views of the Dundee Hills. They allow dogs on the patio, ensuring an upscale experience for your pet too.
Elk Cove Vineyards (Gaston, OR)
Another one of Oregon’s older wineries, and maybe my favorite vineyard property. Elk Cove Vineyards was established in 1974 by the Campbell family, who still run it today. Dogs allowed outside.
Gran Moraine Winery (Yamhill, OR)
Founded in 2013, Gran Moraine focuses on producing high-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The winery offers picturesque views of the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, and dogs are allowed on the outdoor patio.
King Estate Winery (Eugene, OR)
Founded in 1991, King Estate is renowned for its Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. The winery features organic vineyards and a farm-to-table restaurant, and allows dogs to accompany their owners in designated
Lachini Vineyards (Newberg, OR)
Founded in 1997, Lachini Vineyards focuses on organic and biodynamic farming, offering a range of estate-grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Dogs are allowed on the patio, with water bowls available.
Lange Estate Winery & Vineyards (Dundee, OR)
Established in 1987, Lange Estate is a cornerstone of what I call the “second generation” of Oregon wineries. Great views and a nice relaxed tasting experience, welcoming dogs in the outdoor seating areas.
Left Coast Estate (Rickreall, OR)
Established in 2003, Left Coast focuses on sustainable farming and is known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Dogs are welcome on the patio, with water bowls provided for maximum comfort.
Lemelson Vineyards (Carlton, OR)
Founded in 1999, Lemelson Vineyards is known for its organic vineyards and estate-grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. I really like the multi-level design of their tasting spaces. Dogs can join their owners in outdoor seating areas, making it a pet-friendly choice.
Maysara Winery (McMinnville, OR)
Family-owned since 1997, Maysara Winery is dedicated to biodynamic farming and known for its Pinot Noir and other estate-grown wines. The winery construction is impressive too (the owner is an engineer). Dogs are welcome on the patio, and water bowls are provided.
Penner-Ash Wine Cellars (Newberg, OR)
Founded in 1998, Penner-Ash is known for its small-lot Pinot Noir. Great views and a modern tasting room, welcoming dogs on the patio.
Raptor Ridge Winery (Newberg, OR)
Established in 1995, Raptor Ridge is known for its Pinot Noir and offers vineyard tours and vineyard views. Dogs can chill with their owners in outdoor seating areas, making it a delightful visit.
ROCO Winery (Newberg, OR)
Pleasant gardens and a water feature pair perfectly with sparkling wine from the region’s premier bubbles master, Rollin Soles. Leashed dogs are welcome outside. Small covered patio for winter. Water dishes available for doggies and provisions boards for their companions.
Stoller Family Estate (Dayton, OR)
My neighbors! Family-owned since 1993 and growing quickly. Very supportive of the local community. The modern tasting room and relaxed vibes make it a great spot, with dogs allowed on the patio and water bowls available.
Sokol Blosser Winery (Dayton, OR)
My other neighbors! Founded in 1971, Sokol Blosser is a pioneer of Oregon winemaking with an emphasis on sustainability. A truly family-run business, the winery welcomes dogs on the outdoor terrace.
Willamette Valley Vineyards (Turner, OR)
Established in 1983, Willamette Valley Vineyards is a pretty big operation. They offer vineyard tours, event spaces, and a beautiful tasting room. Dogs can accompany their owners in designated outdoor areas.
Winter’s Hill Estate (Dayton, OR)
The wine that made my wife fall in love with Pinot Noir. Family-owned since 1990. Some seriously beautiful panoramic views. Dogs are welcome on the patio. And check out this picture I snapped from Winter’s Hill during the fires of 2020.
Bear in mind these are just some of the wineries that welcome dogs. There are lots more out there so if you’re not sure just pick up the phone and call. Policies can change from time to time anyway.
Planning Your Dog-Friendly Winery Visit to the Willamette Valley
As I mentioned above, my first advice is to call ahead! I’ve vetted this list of wineries but things can shift. My current employer has changed its dog policy three times since I started there. So call up the tasting room to avoid unwanted surprises.
What Should I Bring?
Leash – required by pretty much every winery I talked to
Poop bags – and please don’t leave them lying on the ground
Water – At every place I’ve worked at, we always make sure we have water bowls to offer. Still it’s nice to have backup just in case.
A small blanket. Many times tables are on concrete patios that can be hard, hot, or damp. It might be nice to give your animal something softer to lay on. I’d stay away from large beds and blankets that become trip hazards for your server.
What’s the best time to visit with your dog?
This decision can actually make a big difference. This may be intuitive, but off-peak hours are almost always more enjoyable for you and your pup. Benefits of visiting during slower times:
- Less chance of other dogs being at the winery
- High likelihood of outdoor seating being available. Easier to find a quiet, out of the way table.
- Lower traffic = fewer distractions and less overwhelm for your animal.
If you’re visiting in the summer, I’d definitely recommend morning appointments. Tasting rooms are always slower and the heat is much less intense before lunch time.
Seasonal Considerations for Dog-Friendly Wine Tasting
Speaking of heat, it can be a real issue! Folks from out of state may still picture Oregon as cool and rainy, but that’s certainly not the case in the summer time. Temps in the Willamette Valley are almost guaranteed to be above 80 in July and August. They frequently jump up into the 90’s or even 100’s. June and September can be scorching as well. It’s something to consider before committing your canine to touring wine country.
Off-season brings with it another set of challenges. October through April can be damp and cold. As you can see from the list above, most wineries restrict pet access to their outdoor areas. Many of these are uncovered and may lack heating. Unless you call ahead, don’t count on having a warm and dry space for you and your dog.
One other safety concern I thought of: A Tasting room is (hopefully) a calm and serene place to enjoy your wines. But there’s a lot going on behind the scenes and a winery can be dangerous for a pet. Especially during harvest, there can be a constant flow of trucks, tractors, and forklifts zipping around the property. Another reason to keep your animal on a leash and close by.
Etiquette for wine tasting with Dogs
Thankfully, most of the guests that visit our winery with their dogs are super easy to deal with. And really the etiquette isn’t much different from bringing your pooch anywhere else.
There are a few wineries with open dog runs, but regardless almost everybody will ask that you keep your pup on a leash while in any hospitality areas. I’ve seen an unleashed dog stealing food off someone else’s table. Luckily the guests didn’t freak out, but that’s really not cool. And as I mentioned above, this is for the animal’s safety as much as anything else.
The issues I see most often are when there are multiple dogs in the same area. Sometimes they get a bit aggressive towards each other. That’s why I recommend visiting when the winery is less busy and you can get your own space.
As a server, it’s also pretty annoying when a dog becomes territorial over their table. Getting barked at every time I come out to pour wine gets old fast.
I know sometimes you just don’t know how your dog is going to behave in a new situation. Just be prepared to pivot if things don’t go smoothly. Know when to concede that the situation isn’t working. Fido has his rights, but not at the expense of everyone around you.
And pick up your poop! I’m shocked at how many people leave poop bags in the parking lot of the winery. Put it in an outside trash receptacle or take it with you!
Like I said, luckily these things are usually a non-issue and dog owners are very conscientious.
In Summary
As you can see, finding dog-friendly wineries in the Willamette Valley isn’t hard. If you’re conscientious of other guests and follow a few basic rules, you’re probably going to find some enthusiastic supporters of your furry friend. Just remember to confirm ahead of your visit and be flexible. A great visit is in your future!