I was in Spain in May, and at several wineries in the Rioja region (less formal set-up than Napa, but still tour and tastings at some), there were plenty of kids/babies. A winery is a fine place to bring them---it's interesting, cellars can be dark and spooky, amd the culture of wine history is interesting. The babies I've seen slept through tours and if they started to whine, a parent takes them outside.

I've also gone wine-tasting on Long Island with friends and their 1.5 year old. When she fidgeted, a grown-up would play outside with her. Not a big deal.

Frankly, it's the grown-ups who can be more whiney, anyway, sometimes---the ones who pretend to know a lot about wine, or who keep prattling on about how fabulous the wines they've had are, or the ones who take advantage of the tasting and drive off drunk. Give me a sleeping baby or two anyday.

I guess I need to grow up A winery would be the last place I'd take my (now grown up) sons.

J, you say a winery is a fine place to take children; the culture of wine history is interesting. Can you tell me what a 10 month old will learn about wine? Will there be a quiz later on? Seriously, I have a 3 year old and an 8 month old and would never dream of taking either one to a winery. Children don't necessarily nap on command, especially in a new environment. Sure an adult could go outside with the kids when they get fidgety, but why should that have to happen? My husband and I learned long ago if we can't hire a babysitter for things that are inappropriate for children, we don't go. Sure, we have missed out on many wonderful events, but that is what happens when you have children.

ilisa--of course a 10 m.o. isn't going to learn about wine or be expected to take a quiz. I was talking about babies and kids. The kids I saw in Spain (ages maybe 4-7)were quite interested in how wine is made and were asking questions, especially about how egg whites used to be used for clarification. (Yes, they were Spanish kids who have grown up having sips of wine, maybe that's different than an American kid who generally hasn't had wine as part of the dinner table in any cultural way.) Sure, you wouldn't spend 3 hours on a tour, but 20 minutes can work, depending on the kid.

People have different opinions on this, obviously, so you take your kids where you'd like to and leave others free to take theirs where they'd like. If a kid is acting rowdy in a place you consider inappropriate (and I agree that a winery would be one of those places), then I think you have every right to ask the parent to take them out of earshot to calm down.

Happy trails to you and your kids, and I hope they get to an age soon where you don't feel like you need to give up activities you enjoy.

J, you said you were talking about kids and babies. Um, a 10 month old is a baby. And yes, you do have the right to ask a parent to take a child out of earshot if the kid gets rowdy. My point is that it should never get to that point. The child should not have been in that child-inappropriate environment in the first place. And no, we have not given up activities we enjoy. We have made adjustments. That is what people do when they have children. And, that is what Susan should do, instead of taking her baby to a winery.

ilisa,

Congratulations!!!!!! I don't think anyone could have expressed it any better than you did.

Subject closed!

HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously

Susan: I just reread your question and am sorry about my earlier reply. I thought you were going to Napa for two days from SF, which is why I doubted your sincerity (because of course most people would just go up there for the day if they had a baby in tow). I did take my daughter to wineries at that age. Maybe some people don't realize that some of us go to wineries to buy wine, and like to taste it first! My advice still stands, only go to the uncrowded wineries, so you won't be pushed around, and have a bit of space for your baby to feel comfortable. If you're only going to a couple, then your child should be fine--all day would be a problem, but then you probably know that.