Tasting with Kids (…again)
Delicious Pinots, Cabs, Italian varietals, even sparkling and chilled reds. All with your kids in tow.
Harvest season is here! Which also means—it’s back-to-school season. And both deserve a toast! And if you’re juggling school drop-offs and snack-packing, you probably need that toast more than anyone. My earlier kid-friendly winery post ended up being one of my most-read pieces, which tells me one thing: you all definitely need it. So here we are again, with a few more options.
Now, let’s clear something up. Plenty of Sonoma wineries technically “allow” kids. But I probably wouldn’t call them child-friendly. Honestly, is any winery truly child-friendly? (Unless your toddler’s preschool is offering an olfaction course. Which, I guess, is entirely possible in the Bay Area…🤔) Anywho, some wineries are certainly more forgiving than others. To me, “child-friendly” usually means casual enough that you’ve got space to breathe (outdoor tables are a gift), attentive staff who don’t hover so you don’t feel guilty when you’re running after a rogue toddler, and at least one distraction for the little ones—be it farm animals, snacks, or, a gift if your kiddos are slightly older, a bocce court.
Gehrike - Historic Firehouse Vibes
Housed in a historic firehouse right in the town of Sonoma, Gehricke is an authentic, under-the-radar spot with an easygoing, welcoming vibe. Their spirit of discovery shines through in the wines: fruit sourced from “hidden” vineyards across Sonoma, crafted into small-lot bottlings that range from old-vine Zinfandel and Petite Sirah to the occasional Italian rarity or playful pét-nat. The winemaking is minimal intervention, so you get robust, flavorful wines that still feel elegant and balanced.
Tasting Experience
Think unfussy, warm and a little industrial. Kids and dogs are welcome, and walk-ins can often find a spot at the bar of the beautifully restored firehouse. On weekends, they keep the lights on until 8 p.m.—often with food trucks and live music. If you’re looking for a vineyard tour, they’ve got that too (at their vineyard on actual Gehrike Road), but for families, the Sonoma tasting room is the real sweet spot: casual, lively, and low-pressure, with enough bustle to keep everyone entertained.
Notable Varietals
🥂 White: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
🍷 Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel
Other Essentials
🔗 Gehricke
📍 Sonoma
🍷📅✅ Booking Link
🍾💲 Median Bottle Price: $$ (<$40) | Tastings start @ $30
Parum Leo - a Perfect Fog Escape
A mere 45 minutes away, just off the 101, Parum Leo is a fabulous spot to get away to when San Francisco is buried in fog but Petaluma is 80F. With a focus on Pinot Noir and a selection of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and some (slightly) bigger reds, Parum Leo's line up is light, approachable, and perfect for warm days.
Tasting Experience
The tasting room is a refurbished 1900s black barn with rustic-chic charm. Guests enjoy thoughtfully paired small bites alongside a flight of estate and vineyard-designate wines, often poured by the winemaker himself, with the chance for a casual vineyard or cellar tour if time allows. You can either book a tasting or reserve the oak-shaded picnic area (flat fee + buy their wines by the bottle), and with a great selection of wines in the $30-40 range, Parum Leo really can’t be beat for a relaxed weekend afternoon, when you want to get out of San Francisco with the kids, but don’t want to drive too far.
Notable Varietals
🥂White: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
🍷 Red: Pinot Noir, Merlot
Other Essentials
📍 Petaluma
🍾💲 Median Bottle Price: $$ (<$40) | Tastings start @ $30
Portalupi - Cal-Ital Famiglia Charm
Portalupi is a little slice of Cal-Ital heaven for anyone a little tired of Pinot and Cab. The lineup is refreshingly off the beaten path—Barbera, Nebbiolo, Vermentino, and even the unicorn Arneis, all crafted in small, character-driven batches. Their signature “Vaso di Marina” jug wine pays homage to old-school Italian family traditions, and the wines themselves deliver bold, food-friendly charm: vibrant fruit, lively acidity, and a whole lot of personality. Plus a sparkling Barbera!
Tasting Experience
Just off Healdsburg Square, Portalupi’s tasting room feels like slipping into a friend’s living room—if your friend happens to have an excellent cellar and a flair for Italian hospitality. Indoor lounge seating and a relaxed parklet patio make it a perfect spot for kids and their decidedly non-whisper voices. Tastings are casual and flexible, spotlighting those unique “Cal-Ital” varietals, with staff who happily dish out pairing ideas and stories in true famiglia style. With food options and outdoor space in the mix, this one checks all the family-friendly boxes without skimping on wine geek appeal.
Notable Varietals
🥂 White: Arneis, Vermentino
🍷 Red: Barbera (incuding a sparkling version), Zinfandel, Nebbiolo, Charbono, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir
Other Essentials
🍷📅✅ Booking Link
🍾💲 Median Bottle Price: $$$ ($40-$70) | Tastings start @ $35
Preston Farm - Biodynamic Farmstead, Chickens and Bocce
Preston Farm and Winery is a vibrant, 125-acre organic and biodynamic farm in Dry Creek Valley—complete with vineyards, olive trees, orchards, grain fields, and livestock. The wines are guided by a minimal-intervention, old-world ethos with a Rhône influence, showcasing blends like the L. Preston red (Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsaut) and the Madam Preston white (Roussanne, Viognier, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc - a big white— delicious for a chilly, foggy day). Between the farm and 13+ varietals, there's truly something for everyone.
Tasting Experience
Tastings here lean rustic and relaxed: think sipping small-batch Rhône- and Italian-style wines under a walnut tree, with house-baked bread, olive oil, and maybe a chicken or two wandering by (to entertain your kids). Guests are encouraged to picnic, play bocce, and explore the farm store stocked with housemade sourdough, estate olive oil, pickled vegetables, and more. If you’re lucky enough to visit on a Sunday, don’t miss their old-school “Jim’s jug” wine, a Zinfandel-blend 3 liter growler straight from the cellar, available only on Sundays.
Notable Varietals
🥂White: Vermentino, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne
🍷 Red: Zinfandel, Carignan, Barbera, Nero d'Avola, Syrah, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Grenache
Other Essentials
🍷📅✅ Booking Link
🍾💲 Median Bottle Price: $$$ ($40-$70) | Tastings start @ $35
Smith Story - Pinot with Texas Flair
Founded by Eric and Ali Story, their “story” is a fun one, the winery was founded via one of the wine world’s earliest crowdfunding campaigns. Their wines lean elegant and restrained, showcasing Pinot Noir, chillable carbonic reds, and site-driven whites from sustainably farmed, family-owned vineyards. Think low-intervention winemaking with native yeast, restrained oak, moderate alcohol, and a clear sense of place in every glass.
Tasting Experience
Call it “tasting with character.” Ali Smith-Story brings her Texas roots into the space with vintage antiques and quirky collectibles. The tasting room itself is at Bacchus Landing just outside downtown Healdsburg: part industrial, part inviting, and fully charming. Expect a warm, personal touch (often from the owners themselves), plus the company of their goldendoodle mascots who’ve become minor celebrities in their own right. The vibe is family- and dog-friendly, with both indoor seating and a lively shared courtyard that keeps things casual and relaxed.
Notable Varietals
🥂 White: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
🍷 Red: Pinot Noir, Zinfandel
Other Essentials
🍷📅✅ Booking Link
🍾💲 Median Bottle Price: $$$ ($40-$70) | Tastings start @ $25
If you weren’t brave enough to go wine-tasting with your kid before, I hope this inspired you!