We love wine. So, we decided to spend months researching the best kid-friendly wineries in and near the San Francisco Bay Area. (I know- what a horrible task to undertake… ;)) Sonoma Valley definitely came out as the best and most kid-friendly wine region around! We love Sonoma wineries because they have delicious wines (of course), beautiful views, and many have family-friendly vibes. Sonoma is huge geographically speaking- boasting 18 different appellations (aka wine growing regions). Just within one of those appellations – Sonoma Valley – there are an incredible 6 appellations. (Thank you Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance for being an amazing resource for this research!)

In addition to the amazing wineries, Sonoma has a ton of different kid-friendly attractions that can easily make an entire weekend trip full of fun for everyone in your family. (Check out: Sonoma Train Town, Charles M Schulz Museum, and Children’s Museum of Sonoma County) We could go on and on about these cool kid-friendly attractions, but I know you are really here for all the kid-friendly wineries. So, here they are – sorted by the different wine-growing appellations!

NOTE: If you haven’t read our introduction to kid-friendly wineries – please read that section in this post first. Kids and wine are sensitive subjects in the industry, and you need to be aware of certain things before you go!

Disclosure: Part of this post is sponsored content, and we received discounts or free products. This post also contains affiliate links, which means at no additional cost to you, we may receive a small amount of commission. Lastly, even with these sponsored content and affiliate links, all opinions are of our own, and none were provided or influenced by the companies or individuals that sponsored me and my family.

 

Kid-Friendly Best Wineries in Sonoma Valley

As mentioned above, Sonoma Valley consists of 6 different appellations – Sonoma Valley, Los Carneros, Sonoma Mountain, Bennett Valley, Moon Mountain District, and Sonoma Coast. Below are kid-friendly wineries we found in some of these regions. Let us know if you have enjoyed any other kid-friendly wineries – we would love to add them, with their permission.

Best Kid-Friendly Wineries in Sonoma Valley (Region)

Buena Vista Winery (Sonoma)

 

You will go back in time by visiting this historically significant winery that’s also fun for kids! Before all the hype and availability of wineries in Northern California – Buena Vista was there (founded in 1857). They are the oldest commercial winery in California! The original winery is now a California Historical Landmark too. You will taste wine in a building built in the 1800s, so it is fitting that you will be greeted by a local historian and actor – with an outfit to match – to learn about the winery and the wine.

 

The historic wine museum tour and tasting is kid-friendly! It will take about 45 minutes for the entire tour, and you move around enough that the kids won’t get bored. They have a short or long version of the winemaking tools museum (the museum is a little Fifty Shades-esque- but your kids won’t know that, and it’s really just winemaking tools. They swear. :)) The tour is available daily, including a museum-only tour at a discounted price. Reservations are recommended, but not required!

In the summertime, usually in August, they have Shakespeare in the Park. This is a kid-friendly event where you get to experience Shakespeare’s plays.

Why you will love this winery with your kids

While many wineries are great for babies and kids that do not walk yet, this best winery in Sonoma entertains kids of all ages. There is a sound-and-light show as part of the Historic Wine Tool Museum (the show is 20 minutes long, but there is also a shorter version by request if you are the only ones on the tour!). You should skip the museum if your kid is afraid of the dark, though. In addition to the awesome historian & museum, there is also a hedge maze! Right by the maze, and on your way to the tasting room, is the History Hill. You will find life-size cut-out figures of the historical wine world. If your kids are done exploring the winery grounds, they also have an illustrated kids book about the history of Buena Vista and its founder, Hungarian nobleman Agoston Haraszthy- known as “The Count of Buena Vista”! So, you can taste your wine in peace (kind of – you know you are never drinking wine in peace with kids :)).

Bartholomew Park Winery (Sonoma)

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous grounds! Simply put- Organic vineyards, historic winery, and bucolic park grounds!

Why you will love this winery with your kids

This winery is situated in a 300-acre park, owned and managed by the Bartholomew Foundation. You will be surrounded by lots of nature! There are picnic tables and a museum chronicling the history of Sonoma Valley and their property dating back to 1857!

The beauty of this historic winery and park would make a perfect setting to capture your family’s photos. Really- any of the wineries on this list would make for beautiful backdrops! I highly recommend Emily Jenks Photography – yes, that’s me. 🙂 But as you can see from this blog, I know A LOT about wineries around San Francisco and the best spots for photos. Check me out and mention this blog to receive 10% off your session.

Scribe Winery (Sonoma)

This gorgeous winery on top of a little hill has been super accommodating to our crew with toddlers. Make a reservation to sit at one of their picnic tables and order their picnic basket full of goodies!

Why you will love this winery with your kids

Scribe Winery has a nice outdoor area with picnic tables, and there is the option for purchasing a yummy picnic basket. (Make reservations!) The kids loved running around the lawn playing hide-and-seek behind the trees.

B.R. Cohn (Glen Ellen)

The winery is a house built in 1920 with a casual and comfortable ranch environment. They have a Gourmet Shop where you can buy olive oils, vinegar, gifts, and charcuterie.

Why you will love this winery with your kids

There is a lovely outdoor patio area with beautiful estate views, lots of space to stretch out and walk around, and live music on certain days!

Landmark Vineyards (Kenwood)

Horse lovers– look no further. There are COMPLIMENTARY horse-drawn carriage tours seasonally (every Sat between May 5th-October 6th) led by a third-generation Sonoma Valley farmer where you can learn winemaking techniques and Sonoma wine history while your kids are just excited to ride on a horse-drawn carriage.

Why you will love this winery with your kids

This one is obvious- the seasonal horse-drawn-carriage tour! Plus, there are bocce ball courts and a beautiful outdoor courtyard to play in! You can bring your own food, or they have cheeses, charcuterie, and accouterments available for purchase. 

Deerfield Ranch Winery (Kenwood)

This kid-friendly (and dog-friendly) winery wants you to bring the whole family for a headache-free experience! Haha They provide Clean Wines, which are low in the histamines and sulfites that normally cause wine headaches. Parents get enough headaches – wine shouldn’t be one of the causes! Before you go enjoy your clean wines- you should get some wine wipes to make sure you also have clean teeth. These are great for red wine lovers! 

Parents get enough headaches – wine shouldn’t be one of the causes!

Why you will love this winery with your kids

Besides the luxury of a headache-free wine, they also have an outdoor space with wetlands where visitors can often find ducks, geese, wildflowers, and, on rare occasions, possibly a river otter!

 

Kid-Friendly Wineries in Los Carneros Region, Sonoma Valley

Larson Family Winery (Sonoma)

“All pets must be on a leash. All kids, leash optional. :)” Is the first sign you see when you park your car. You know you arrived at a family-friendly winery with humor!

Why you will love this winery with your kids

Wagons, tricycles, and balls (which might be for the dogs, but are also great for soccer!) for the kids to play. There is a huge, I mean huuuuge grass area. You can sit back and enjoy cozy seating (reservations are highly recommended on the weekends) and amazing views of the vineyard. The overall attitude of this winery that welcomes families with kids really makes it a comfortable place to have a nice day in Sonoma. Larson Family Winery even has special activities (like a bouncy house!) on Mother’s Day. They also have farm animals (goats when we visited, but more animals will come soon), bocce, and cornhole. 

Cornerstone Sonoma (Sonoma)

They are not exactly a winery – but they are a marketplace with a cluster of wine tasting rooms and vineyards you can taste from while your kids explore the amazing property! (They have spirits tastings too!)

Why you will love this winery with your kids

The kids will love that there are many gardens (even a children-specific garden), plus lots of open space to explore. Shops, a restaurant, and much more make this venue family-friendly. What makes this place even better is that you can explore these areas with your wine.

Viansa Sonoma (Sonoma)

Wiansa Sonoma has a great big property with a marketplace to get your picnic supplies. They are super close to San Francisco too – just 35 minutes North of Golden Gate Bridge!

Why you will love this winery with your kids

The serenity- There is a viewing deck to look out at 97 acres of native plants, wetlands, and wildlife!

Kid-Friendly Best Wineries in Sonoma Mountain Region, Sonoma Valley

Mayo Family Winery (Glen Ellen)

This place is a small, family-run winery – which we always love because they have a “family-friendly” spirit! They are right off of Highway 12 and Arnold Drive- an easy-to-get-to location too.

Why you will love this winery with your kids

The picnic area is perfect for the kids to use as a big sandbox! You can bring your own picnic too. Pack a blanket and a bag full of goodies, and enjoy a nice day outside with your family!

Benziger Family Winery (Glen Ellen)

Another winery famous for being family-friendly is Benziger Family Winery! (Just look at the picture on their website – those babies are so adorable!) This is also a great place to learn about biodynamic farming and a great place for checking out wine caves!

Why you will love this winery with your kids

It is so fun to take a tram tour around the vineyards, winemaking facility, and caves. It welcomes guests under 21 too. The tour is approximately 45 minutes.

Kid-Friendly Best Wineries in Sonoma Coast

Furthermore Winery (Sebastopol)

Pinot Noir lovers who have kids – this is your place! Their name comes from the “never-ending dialog that they engage in as they explore the ethereal beauty and diversity of Pinot Noir…”(read more on their website). So meaningful! Love it!

Why you will love this winery with your kids

Furthermore Winery has a nice outdoor picnic space with bocce ball courts.

Kid-Friendly Best Wineries in Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma

Dutcher Crossing (Geyserville)

They treat everyone coming in as they would treat their mother – you really feel welcomed here with kids! Dutcher Crossing is one of our favorite wineries that we got to visit while we “researched” for this article. Their wines are phenomenal too!

Why you will love this winery with your kids

They have a charming outdoor space overlooking the vineyard with picnic tables and bocce ball courts. And, the overall welcoming hospitality of the staff at this winery really makes it special!

Bella Vineyards & Wine Caves (Healdsburg)

This property overlooks the beautiful Dry Creek Valley. They are very kid-friendly and welcome all families, anytime!

Why you will love this winery with your kids

They have hula hoops and bean bag/cornhole toss games for kids and families to play. They also encourage families to bring a picnic to share on the lawn overlooking the Dry Creek Valley. Don’t forget to pack a travel cheese board and knife set to make your pairings easier to serve (and it looks classy! :))

Chateau Diana (Healdsburg)

This family-owned and operated winery has a gorgeous patio overlooking the vineyards!

Why you will love this winery with your kids

Views, open space, and snacks for purchase make this place ideal for families to visit.

 

Kid-Friendly Best Wineries in Alexander Valley, Sonoma County

Francis Ford Coppola Winery (Geyserville)

The place is big- with at least 2 tasting areas, a museum, a restaurant, and a pool area! We definitely want to book a cabana (a dressing room with showers) in the summertime to come enjoy with the family! Be on the lookout around March when reservations start to open up. (Note: No outside food allowed.)

Why you will love this winery with your kids

The kids will love their fancy car that spins around, the museum with big boats, and of course the pool!

 

Going to wineries beyond Sonoma? Check out our Ultimate List of 60+ Kid-Friendly Wineries In & Near San Francisco here.

Medlock Ames Winery (Healdsburg)

This winery is surrounded by wild animals – and they all help out with their farming! Hawks, owls, and coyotes help keep the Gophers from getting out of control. Bluebirds and insect predators keep vineyard pests at bay. They also have deer, bobcats, jackrabbits, foxes, eagles, and even the occasional otter.

Why you will love this winery with your kids

Learning and maybe witnessing the abundant ecosystem surrounding the winery will be fun and educational for the whole family.

Seghesio Family Vineyards (Healdsburg)

We stumbled across this winery when we were hungry with a picnic packed in our car. We wanted a winery where we could bring our own picnic and a place that was also kid-friendly. When we called to ask if we could bring a 1-year-old, they happily said: “of course”! We are so glad this winery said “yes” to being on this list!

Why you will love this winery with your kids

The really big outdoor space that is closed off (called the “grove”) with ample seating is perfect for a family with little ones. Bocce ball courts and lounge chairs are on the grounds. Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are also for purchase.

 

Kid-Friendly Best Wineries in Russian River Valley, Sonoma

DeLoach Vineyards (Santa Rosa)

DeLoach Vineyards has biodynamic demonstration gardens with plants and farm animals. We loved our visit here. Everyone was so friendly – one of the nicest employees played with Henry and Andrew and showed us around for so long! (They didn’t even know we would be writing about them.) They were loving every minute of the experience.

Why you will love this winery with your kids

Besides the farm animals? Open space – so much open space! We also loved the garden. When we went, they had artichokes, berries, strawberries, and so much more.

Hook and Ladder Winery (Santa Rosa)

Fun fact: This family-run winery was started by a San Francisco firefighter and his wife. So cool!

Why you will love this winery with your kids

Hook and Ladder Winery has a beautiful outdoor space with picnic tables, a bocce ball court, and cornhole in the Spring and Summer.

Iron Horse Vineyards (Sebastopol)

Iron Horse Vineyards is a family-owned winery among a cluster of rustic, redwood barn-style buildings.

Why you will love this winery with your kids

Again, this place has a beautiful outdoor environment with views and open space (don’t forget to make reservations!)

Sonoma Coast Vineyards (Bodega Bay)

We absolutely love the picturesque Bodega Bay area, and now we are so happy to find a family-friendly winery in the San Francisco vicinity!

Why you will love this winery with your kids

Sonoma Coast Vineyards has outdoor seating, it is low key, and it has a nice view of the Bay. Plus- there are no reservations required.

For more kid-friendly best wineries beyond Sonoma in Northern California – check out this Ultimate List of 60+ Kid-Friendly Wineries in and near San Francisco.

 

Do you know of another good kid-friendly winery in the area that we didn’t list? Are you a winery that would like to be added on this list? Contact Us!

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