Rubyselbow may be coming here, Escargot my dear, read on...

As for the rest of you people speaking so negatively (not you, escargot). Yes, you from what's that Godawful town's name near Sacramento? Ummm...Citrus Heights? Yes, that's it...better head back to the library and scold people for not packing properly. Yo, you in Georgia - you don't know the central coast, our wineries or kids. It's time to enjoy life, ladies! Come on - it's too short to be so narrow minded! We have a beautiful area, wonderful wineries, scenery on the central coast and it needs to be shared with everyone. Yes, gasp...even kids! God forbid, even one single child should ever cross your paths, I hope your shadows don't ever darken their spirits because we have a wonderful life here. Peace out...be happy. ;;)

I'm a bit confused, NewbE. What ELSE, other than wine, is "served" at a winery? I'm missing the analogy to a restaurant. What is on the "menu" at a tasting room appropriate for a child?

Oh,TTess, you've got it all wrong--kids USED to be a major part of their lives, but they raised them in a small broom closet off the kitchen, where they acquired perfect manners despite never needing to use them and learned how to raise their own children right, i.e, by leaving them with grandma to learn the joys of said broom closet.

(I can't help picturing the old lady who used to chase Benny Hill around and thump him with her brolly...)

starrsville, don't tell me YOU haven't been to a winery! Or perhaps you forgot. All but the tiniest wineries serve or sell soft drinks, many serve things like cheese plates, and some serve meals.

It seems that there are several people making posts that are the same people that say things like "you can't comment on children unless you have them...you just won't understand." They seem to have become the unfortunate parental group that don't realize when other people are giving them and their "lovely" family dirty looks due to the fact that they are ruining everyone else's hard fought vacation time. Keep living your lives like that to the detriment of the development of your children into adults.

I've seen "tastings" of Coke brands at the World of Coke, but no, I've not seen anything other than wine served in tasting rooms at wineries. Can't think of a single winery I've visited that served samples of other beverages. Must have just missed the Kiddie Tasting Rooms currently popular at certain wineries.

Oh, mah, it is falling on deaf ears. It seems like these children have a lot in common with the Lake Woebegone population.

Lake Woebegone... I love Garrison Keillor! Ah, but that is another thread. Wonder what he would say about kids in wineries?

Last time I heard him he had a great quote:

"God made March for people who don't drink...so they would know what a hangover feels like."

At the winery we visited while driving through New Zealand, (with our two children, ages 15 and 18 then) the winery served wine, soft drinks, cheese plates and a full lunch -
this winery encouraged families

perhaps the wineries in the central coast area also encourage families, I do not know, but it sounds to me like the people who live in that area or have been in that area are saying, yes, they can stop in with a child -

There are many wineries in Napa that do not allow children, and so they would not be able to go there - if I were doing an adult wine vacation/visit with my husband, and w/out our children, I would choose those wineries that do not allow children on our tour -
Also, I am assuming other wineries in CA follow suit- some encourage children while others do not-
And so then, the decision to bring your child or not rests with the parent.

well, this has been interesting to read. There are lots of opinions here...I will not offer mine on whether children should tag along or not but will say, as a central coast resident, that I have seen some (not many) children in wineries before.

MonicaRichards: I surely hope you are joking when you say visiting some of the wineries really isn't that different than "visiting a farm or a deli". Hello...have you visited any in the area? I don't know any like that. Many are very nice establishments. Some are small, but none I have been to are like visiting a farm. I am sure that was a joke or a nice way to make the OP feel more welcome. You will find many of the wines are award-winning. We don't want to give people the impression we don't have anything decent to serve here but wine you'd serve the cows!

I've asked Garrison. I'll let you know if I hear back from him.

Actually, no I wasn't kidding. I tend to like the rustic wineries, like Husch in the Anderson Valley. Great wine, served in an old farm building with rusting (picturesque) farm equipment and kids were welcome. When I drove through the central coast we saw many like that. And yes, the wine is still fantastic, they're just family run and non pretentious.

Hmmm...I've been to Husch and many others in the Anderson Valley and did not see kids.Obviously, people have their own ideas about it and the one person with the open mind was the OP!
Since we're talking about parents who take their little darlings to every place they deem fit because they are so "Special" here's an interesting article from MSNBC about the new narcissists of the "I'm special" generation. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17349066/

I never thought that children who have been taught to have good manners when eating in restaurants, visiting wineries, or staying in hotels would lead to narcissism or to the detriment of their development into adults. LOL!

It seems to me that comments such as "That would infringe upon THEIR precious vacation time" and "It isn't fair to the child" are better examples of the "I'm special" generation.

For those who are constantly having ruined vacations and dinners because of the mere presence of the child, I think there are deeper issues. When my husband and I dine out without our children, we certainly aren't noticing the other people in the restaurant.

Ah, starrsville--World of Coke? That explains a lot, dearie.

Yes, doesn't it though. Silly me. Friends with kids in town and I took them to the World of Coke and they could taste all the different flavors from around the world. Such, a silly, silly thing to do.

Now, after reading this thread, I realize I should have taken them to wineries instead. Far more appropriate evidently - at least to you. :-?

I don't beleive the Anderson Valley is on the central coast. There are many small wineries, but not many like barns, farms, or deli's. Oh well, it really doesn't matter in the large scope of things, anyway, does it? As long as the wine is good... that is what should matter :)

wtm- that's precisely the problem. You aren't noticing other people. It is funny that this is even a question "are kids welcome at wineries." I guess it says enough that there is even a debate or a reasonable number of people that think that kids should be at wineries.

The "me" generation of parents believe that since they can afford to bring their children everywhere, they therefore should.

sorry, wtm but that's not so. I share custody with my ex. That's been hard on my kids going back and forth constantly. They've adjusted well and are not spoiled. I take several adult trips w/hubby to CA and Europe yearly. I have only 2 weeks to vacation with my kids. I consider that special time, and yes, it's "their time" cause their Dad doesn't take them anywhere. When in NYC, they were fine with me shopping in different store departments, etc, but if I were to take my kids to CA, I wouldn't bore them with wineries.

LLinda- I just read the article you linked on MSN. Very good and relevant to this discussion.

There was a big debate 3-4 months ago about a Chicago bakery (I think) that put up a sign after many bratty kids and hapless parents started frequenting the place. The sign that said something to the effect of "everyone doesn't like crying children, so if your children are being noisy, crying, etc., then take them out so others can relax."

That was, as many pro-children in winery posters would suggest, a decision made by a business owner as to what his clientele should be and act like. Of course, all of the mommy groups went into a huge uproar. In contrast, many of his customers (and a number with children, but well behaved children) applauded his decision because they were sick of what some of the posters in this thread are complaining about: children being everywhere. It is one thing to bring your children to places that perhaps they do not belong. But, unfortunately, often the same parents that do not distinguish between "adult" places and "kid" places are the same parents that allow their kids to scream, break things, cry, and generally act terribly, without stepping in.