kids welcome at wineries?
 

My husband and I and our 4 year old daughter will be driving through the central coast area and would like to stop at some wineries and do a little tasting. We are interested in picking up some bottles to bring back home to Colorado. I have a friend who seems to think that it is inappropriate to bring kids to the wineries, any ideas on this?

While wine snobs will "poo-poo" (no pun) the idea of a 4 year old--unless it high season or a weekend--you'll find most Central Coast wineries will welcome your little one. Ask for corks (two work nicely to keep the hands occupied) or labels. Please tell me you are they type of parents who teach your child about manners (don't run among the glassware or get in the way of the nice people pouring the wine!). Enjoy! BTW--Steamer's of Pismo has a very nice Children's menu to compliment the very nice seafood, steak and pasta adult menu (great view too!)

And just what will your daughter be doing while you are (hopefully) listening to the pourer describe the wines, tasting, deciding which to buy? If I was a 4 yo I would be bored spitless standing around while my parents had "adult talk" about wines.

Nothing "inappropriate" (though some tasting rooms do not allow children) but not ANYTHING for your daughter to do while you are tasting. You can't let her run around on her own in the tasting room

I was posting the same time as TravlMaven. What she says is technically true - but there are some activities that are just not compatible w/ small children.

Now, picnics in the winery grounds - sure. But not a winery drive w/ tastings.

Thank you very much for the input. No, we are not among the new generation of parents who let their children run around footloose and fancy-free in this kind of situation, but I have decided that in order to truly enjoy the experience and get the most out of it we will just have to plan another "kid-free" trip back to the area. Thank again for all of your comments.

I was thinking the same thing - nothing inappropriate about taking a kid to a winery, just the question of what to do with the child during the tastings. I suppose you could each trade off hanging out with the kiddo outside, wandering the grounds or whatever, while the other person tasted.

I can remember those good old days of trying to do adult things with one or more small ones in tow. You could bet money that right in the middle of everything, someone small would want to go potty.

You are smart to think twice about this. Have a good time whenever you do decide to go.

I don't see anything inappropriate about bringing your child however a Napa/Sonoma trip usually is an adults only trip i.e. most parents leave the kids at home.

You might want to stop by Benziger winery. We went there last year, and it was very friendly and unpretentious. I think they'd enjoy having kids visit. We also took a tractor ride through the vineyards -- I think the kids would enjoy something like that.

We also stopped at Buena Vista, and while they may have the best merlot ever, that seemed like the kind of place that WOULD object to tykes running around. Much more uptight there.

Hope that helps!

"I don't see anything inappropriate about bringing your child however a Napa/Sonoma trip usually is an adults only trip i.e. most parents leave the kids at home."

But the fact that it is an adults-only trip FOR EVERYONE ELSE is what makes it inappropriate. People go to wineries for a certain experience (just like they go to a B&Bs), and that experience doesn't include squirming children who are bored out of their minds. While I realize there barriers between the adult and child worlds have gotten lower and lower, I think one should be concerned about the people around them, not just their own enjoyment.

MikeT, I think your response was perfect.

Mike -- I do see your point, however I think there are certain wineries that are more family-friendly in their attitude and atmosphere. Of course, the wineries that appeal to families might not appeal to wine snobs anyway. Someone who's serious about their wine probably wouldn't get a kick out of the tractor ride, and vice versa! :)

The OP was looking for central coast wineries.

My sister lives in the Southern California wine country (Temecula) We go to visit her every year and always take our 3 children (ages 7, 4 and 1 ) with us and always have. It's not a big deal at most wineries as you get your samples and walk around between the tastings. I usually bring snacks and some simple activities crayons, etc. No one who works in any of the wineries (and we have visited at least 15 different ones and many 7-10 times over the years)has EVER given us any looks or said anything about us having kids there. I say Poo Poo on those who have negative comments. Either they don't have children or they have forgotten how to have a life with children. Most people who are taking their kids to wineries are the type of people who also take their children out for fine dining too. We typically don't go to more than 2 in a day. We don't let our kids run amuck and if someone has inappropriate behavior, one of us is out the door with them. Go, take your well behaved 4 year old and have a great time. She will like it too, as long as you don't do too many in one day. All the drunk whinos will think she is adorable.

As a childless person, I wouldn't think twice about seeing a 4 year old at a winery unless s/he was running amok, crying or the like. So as long as one parent is prepared to whisk the little one away when her patience runs out, I say go taste some wine, rubyselbow. I certainly don't see anything intrinsically inappropriate about it. Enjoy the trip!

Children and wineries do not mix. There have to be SOME places in this overly kid friendly world where there are NO children. Children in fancy restaurants, children in couples types of hotels, etc., but please please please, no children in wineries. Rule of thumb- if they can't drink they can't go.

Wineries are fine with children (there is one in Murphys that actually has toys in a little play area) but they will get bored very quickly. Nothing wrong with stopping at one or two to break up your day, especially if they have a pond with ducks, old farm equipment, etc., but don't try to do an entire day. And switch off outside with your daughter if she starts getting restless.

Can someone explain why it is okay to bring children to wineries? Wine is something enjoyed by adults. Adults go to wineries for pleasure, and mostly, to enjoy themselves. For many people I know, including myself, who enjoy wine and sampling good wines, children would definitely detract from the experience. The appearance of children would for many change the setting and mood.

We go to wine country every year. The majority of wineries are not designed to entertain children in any way. The gift shops have tables of expensive stemware. The tasting counters are chest level for adults. Only a very few wineries make any provisions for them. I think parents who drag kids in there are being very selfish and NOT thinking.

We are talking about 1 4 year old girl, not a classroom of 2 year olds on a field trip. When your kids are used to going to places where there are many adults, they are not typically the crazed maniacs you make them out to be. I don't appreciate going to wineries standing next to a group of drunks who have visited too many wineries, but hey, they have a right to be there too. I'd much prefer to have a well behaved 4 year old next to me, then an obnoxious drunk. Just my opinion as you are intitled to yours

beachbum - no one said we are talking about a whole bunch of "rug rats" running around unattended causing havoc.

Even just 1 very well behaved 4 yo is not really a good mix w/ wine tasting. It isn't fair to the child and isn't fair to the adults (the parents, the employees, or other visitors)

Just because one CAN take children doesn't mean it is a good idea. Many parents just think they're kids are special and are not problems - but they are being inconsiderate.

Wow--this really stirred up a bunch of emotions! I guess DH and I did the best we could when our kids were growing up--dragging them to wine country every summer when they were young. Two of them are married to chefs and one of them is a chef. Go figure. Cheers!

What has who they maried or what they do have to do w/ ANYTHING? I know you were trying to link them going to wineries as children to being in the food industry. so?

Not trying to belabor the issue - But I get REALLY tired of parents thinking any/every activity/event is approriate for kids . . . .

My response would be that it depends on the kids (& parents for that matter). We take our children to wineries here in NC quite often on the way to the Mts. Most are quite family friendly and we are seldom alone. By the same token, I have never taken them to California wine country as that would be too much to expect them to handle. Also, I have had to remove my children from a tasting room on one occasion. After all, they are children. The sooner you expose them to things be it food, a nice restaurant, travel or wineries - the sooner expectations are set & realized. BTW, they are not quite 5, & just turned 2. Thinking about California I believe I would be comfortable taking my children to many wineries in Sonoma, Napa not so much...But then I don't spend much time in Napa anymore anyway.

So just to be clear, for some of you, the mere sight of a child at a winery would put you off, even if said child were utterly silent?

I wonder how many of you have noticed that wineries are out in the country, and therefore have (about 90% of the time) extensive grounds, some fancier than others, etc., but still. The parents could take turns amusing the tricycle motor outside, thereby sparing the sensitive oenophiles the sight of a young human.

I know I'll probably get trashed after this - but I agree that wineries and children don't mix, anymore than parents drinking (a.k.a. wine tasting) and driving and taking care of kids doesn't mix. I'd bet the parents that take kids to wineries are also the same ones we see with small children here in Las Vegas - which is also inappropriate IMO. When I see strollers and children all over the strip at all hours of the day & night (and in all types of weather) I feel sorry for the kids - all I can think of is how selfish their parents are to drag them along to an adult destination. That would also apply to taking them on a wine tasting trip.

All I'm saying is that wineries are not bars, which you seem to think they are, bashful. Wineries are bucolic places, usually with lovely lawns, shaded tree-lined paths, etc. Furthermore, in CA at least, they do not permit smoking. People also don't tend to stick around drinking for hours--they taste, they hang out a bit, they buy, they leave. So while you do see drunks on occasion, they are the exception rather than the rule. All this causes me to place wineries in a different category from bars and casinos, which I agree are not appropriate for 4 year-olds. It's not my intention to trash anyone's opinion.

NewB - I agree that wineries are not bars, but they still are meant to be ADULT venues, not for children. That's all I meant. And I do not believe that parents drinking while driving children around - especially out of town on unfamiliar highways is a good thing - and many folks do not just have one or two little tastes, and many stop at several wineries, one after the other - which is where the concern comes in. I guess this is an issue where everyone has their own opinion and may never agree.

agree bash. While we take precautions to sip, spit, etc....we understand legal limits. However, kids are told about drinking and driving, si isn't that sending a mixed message to them? I have seen plenty of drunk people in wineries. MANY.Napa is filled with bachelorette parties, etc and they get very rowdy. They are not all "bucolic places". I do think that's fine if you split up and entertain the tyke, but outside of the tasting room.

Honestly, their behavior doesn't matter - even if it means they marry well later in life. Alcohol is an adult activity and the couple who has finally managed to get a babysitter shouldn't have to rub elbows with your child at the bar. Can I bring my wine to Gymboree? It's nice that the OP has asked for opinions and that they obviously don't want to ruin someone else's good time. Thanks to the smoking ban and wildly selfish parents in NYC there was an infant in a bar we were at last weekend in the Village. It was so crowded we didn't stay for more than one drink but the infant was still hanging around by the bar when we left. An another place the parents were complainig because they couldn't bring their stroller in during happy hour.

bashfulLV, please read my post - to others - you can spit you know, which means it would have no effect on the ability for one to drive. Nor does swallowing a few sips over the course of several hours. I hope to raise my children as responsible drinkers when the time comes for them to enjoy alcohol in its many forms. In the mean time, I'm happy to say I've never run into any of the naysayers when I've had the kids along. I would be interested to know of those against, who actually has kids themselves ?

<<So just to be clear, for some of you, the mere sight of a child at a winery would put you off, even if said child were utterly silent?>>

That's exactly what they're saying. I'm tired of unhappy adults who are offended at the the mere sight of a child. If someone gets bent out of shape because my children are with me at a winery, restaurant, hotel, etc. that is their problem not mine.

I can't remember the name of the winery we stopped at in Napa a few years ago - with two kids in tow - but we were treated wonderfully. My husband and I sampled a few wines and two young women who worked there played a stack the cork game with my boys. The employees seemed to enjoy it as much as my children. I'm sure the young women enjoyed the break from the usual uptight and pretentious adults they deal with on a daily basis. We left with a case of wine and a bag full of corks.

"I'm sure the young women enjoyed the break from the usual uptight and pretentious adults they deal with on a daily basis."

Or feared the only way from keeping your hellions from destroying the experience of everyone else was to watch your kids because you weren't.

See, there are two ways to view almost every situation. I'm merely saying that instead of it being all ME ME ME ME ME, people need to make decisions thinking about how they are about to impact the enjoyment of others.

Nice assumption MikeT, but you are wrong. My kids were 5 feet behind me and well behaved and quiet. Shocking!!! It ruins the whole image you have created in you mind.

I've received dirty looks when I've entered restaurants with my kids and then the same person almost always walks over to our table to compliment my kids on their behavior. I find that behavior completely obnoxious. Again, if you are offended at seeing a child, that is your problem not mine.

You may be the best parent in the world and your children may be little angels who are blessed with divine spirits and joy, but adults still have a reason for being frustrated when they go out for an adult evening and find the staff occupied entertaining your children instead of assisting the adults.

There is a time and place for children, and there is a time and place for adults. Is it asking too much that some adult activities take place without children--regardless of how perfect their parents believe they are--around?

<<You may be the best parent in the world and your children may be little angels who are blessed with divine spirits and joy>>

MikeT you are too funny - your statement definitely does not characterize our family!

The comment that anyone who objects to kids being in an adult environment is ridiculous! I have two adult children, and two young grandhcildren. I was a single mom when my kids were growing up and I had to sacrifice a lot of things that I wanted to do for the good of my kids - AND for the fact that kids are not welcome EVERYWHERE. So I either got a sitter or stayed home. Now that I help with the grandkids I still feel the same way - kids just do NOT belong EVERYWHERE - no matter how well behaved they may be.

When I was growing up (admittedly, it was in the Stone Age), our family has child-centered outings (parks, amusement parks), family outings (picnics, camping, movies), and adults-only outings (dinner in "fancy" restaurants, weekend getaways). I know my parents looked forward with eager anticipation to their adults outings. As much as they enjoyed their kids, they really appreciated time to themselves without kids clinging to them. So they got the grandparents to watch us (for the weekends) or a babysitter (the dinners). Doesn't anyone do that anymore?

We are driving from Colorado THROUGH Las Vegas and onto Los Angeles. No, we will not be stopping Las Vegas. I would never dream of taking a child there. That is my personal choice. I have seen people with their children at Vegas, but I do not think to myself, "How dare they intrude on my adult time", but more like, "Better them than me". We are meeting friends and their family at the beach and going to Disneyland. Yes, THESE, are "family friendly" events, but believe me, if we decide to go out for a nice dinner during OUR vacation you better believe we will be taking our daughter. If she misbehaves, we will leave and you bet she'll be in trouble when we get to the car.

I am just trying to understand. Maybe I was not clear. Is this what I am to believe: If on our way out of California, my first visit to California, I see a beautiful winery and wish to buy a bottle, bottles, or case to take with us on our journey back to western Colorado for which we have planned five days of camping in the beautiful west, I would receive "looks" and sneers for the mere fact that I dare to bring in a small human being, from which we all came, may I add and these "lookers and sneerers" just might have to spend an ungodly half-hour? hour? sneering at me and my family?!! I'M IN!!!!!!!!

For you who asked- I have two children who are now both in their teens. Every other Spring break, I take them on a trip and always do a summer trip with them. They have always been well behaved, though I avoided places like the Ritz, etc until they were much, much older. Our wine country visits have been adult only. After seeing our pictures, they have no desire to hang around inside a winery, trust me. That would infringe upon THEIR precious vacation time