Wine Without Whine

You read Wine Enthusiast, albeit occasionally. You enjoy the sharp, witty and unpretentious columns of Food & Wine Editor Lettie Teague. You're no wine expert, but you love tasting and learning about wine and would love to tour a vineyard or two. The only problem is, you have young children, and the closest thing to a wine tour you've experienced in recent memory is following a trail of Welch's Grape Juice spattered on the floor by your four-year old.

We're happy to tell you that you don't have to wait until darling Sydney is in college to visit a tasting room. Napa Valley has several child-friendly vineyards that will cheerfully accommodate your little ones as you learn more about their wines. Mind you, they're not running a babysitting service while you stroll through the vineyard becoming one with the terroir - you'll still need to keep an eye on your offspring. But little touches can make the trip feasible and even enjoyable for all ages; you might even be able to learn a thing or two with the younger set engaged for a few minutes.

The following wineries identify themselves as family-friendly places:


Alpha Omega: Releasing their first wine in July 2006, this winery features picnic areas and a pond with ducks and geese to keep little ones entertained. They are open to the public and do not make appointments.
707.963.9999


Dutch Henry: This family-owned and operated winery in Calistoga allows not just children, but also well-behaved dogs, perhaps to romp with the playful canines in residence. Children can also pick vegetables and fruit while visiting. They're open daily from 10:00 to 4:30, but their website suggests calling to set up a visit.
888.224.5879


St. Supery Vineyards & Winery: This winery welcomes children with coloring books and a winery quiz sheet, the answers to which can be found in the boards of the winery's exhibit. No appointments are necessary and they're open seven days a week.
707.963.4507


Tres Abores: Although you'll need to set an appointment to tour this winery, the warm welcome you'll receive is well worth the small effort. Sheep, goats, Golden Retrievers and a cat named Violet are all on hand to play with. And despite our warning above about no babysitting, here you can even inquire about having one of the family's teens watch your youngster should you wish to hike through their vineyards.
707.967.8027

If you're planning to be in Napa for several days, check the Napa Valley Vintners website: this link takes you straight to the page where several other family-friendly wineries are listed.