Of Cottages and Vines

When in wine country with your pooch, it’s ever so nice to retreat to the deck of your own private cabin for an evening repast. At the dog-welcoming Creekside Inn in the Russian River Valley burg of Guerneville, you can do just that while admiring ancient redwoods to the soundtrack of a burbling brook. Dawn Ranch Lodge, on the Russian River just west of Guerneville, is another dog-friendly choice that feels miles from civilization but really isn’t. Many dog-friendly wineries are just a short drive away, but be sure to put Marimar Estate near Sebastopol on your list: it boasts a pair of resident springer spaniels, Chico and Bonita, and hosts “yappy hour” on designated Wednesdays. For $10, you get a flight of wine and snacks, and your furry friend gets treated, too.

If you have to ask, the saying goes, you can’t afford it. But if cost is no object and you truly want to impress, look no farther than Carneros Inn, a bucolic, luxury retreat surrounded by vineyards in the wine-growing region at the southernmost end of the  Napa and Sonoma valleys. Travel & Leisure magazine named it one of the top 25 most romantic retreats in the world, and it certainly lives up to the reputation. Relaxation and pampering are the keywords here, and we guarantee that both you and your pooch will fall in love with the cottage accommodations. Each comes with a privacy-fenced garden patio furnished with fire pit, outdoor tub, heat lamp, lounge chairs, the works. Just as nice, your dog can join you on the covered patio dining area at The Farm, the resort’s acclaimed restaurant.

Up-valley in Calistoga, Auberge Resorts’ five-star Calistoga Ranch provides a pet-passionate welcome to DogTrekkers, issuing each visiting canine a Happy Tails welcome pack and a pet ID. Dogs and their uprights have 127 acres and many pet-friendly trails to explore before retiring to their luxuriously appointed lodges. The resort even has a dog concierge who can make reservations at Michelin-starred restaurants that also happen to be dog-friendly.

Smaller is often better, and at Kenwood Oaks Guesthouse, you and Daisy can revel in the privacy of your own cottage close and yet so far away from the main house on a two-acre property. A small dog run adjoins the cottage, pet-sitting arrangements can be made—and you can even bring your own horse, should you happen to be traveling with one.  Dog-friendly hiking trails and many, many woof-welcoming Sonoma County wineries are just a short drive away.