The 16 Coolest Kid-Friendly Wineries in the United States

When it comes to planning trips with kids, balancing children’s activities with things that are entertaining for adults, as well, is the recipe for a fun family vacation. While we have taken our daughter to some pretty spectacular theme parks, we also like to frequent craft breweries, beer gardens, and wineries. So, when planning a trip, we look for kid-friendly wineries that cater to families. And there are plenty of wineries where children will have just as much fun as the adults.

This guide to the best kid-friendly wineries in the United States highlights vineyards from Napa Valley to the East Coast. 

Can you visit a winery with kids?

Wine tasting is unmistakably a very adult thing to do. After all, in the United States, you have to be 21 to consume alcohol. But that doesn’t mean wineries and vineyard tours are strictly for adults. There are plenty of family-friendly wineries in the US that are welcoming and fun to visit with kids. 

There are a lot of parents who enjoy a nice glass of wine, particularly on vacation. Luckily, wine tasting can be a great addition to a family trip if you choose kid-friendly wineries.

Our daughter was only 6 months old the first time we visited a winery with her. Since then, she has gone with us to several with us over the years, and we’ve seen many other families at wineries, as well.

Tips for visiting wineries with kids

If you plan to visit a winery with kids, there are a few things to keep in mind. We’ll call these the “house rules” for visiting wineries with children. 

Supervise your kids

This should go without saying, but seriously, if you plan to visit a business that primarily caters to adults, supervise your children. Wineries are not playgrounds (although some of them do have actual playgrounds). But they aren’t the type of places to let your kids run around indoors. 

Book outdoor seating

Many tasting rooms don’t allow children, but that isn’t to say the entire winery is off limits. If going to a winery with kids, book or select a table outdoors. Not only does outdoor seating typically offer beautiful views of the vineyards, but it gives children the space to be kids. 

Check guidelines before visiting

While most wineries allow children to accompany their parents, there are a few that will not. Be sure to check each winery’s guidelines or call ahead to make sure children are welcome before showing up or scheduling a tour or tasting.

Bring entertainment

Many kid-friendly wineries will have coloring sheets or even kids’ areas to entertain children while their parents sample different wines or sit and enjoy a glass on the patio, but just in case that isn’t an option, it’s a good idea to bring entertainment for your kids. An activity or coloring book, a tablet, or even a few small, quiet toys will be enough to keep your kids engaged during your winery visit.

The best kid-friendly wineries in the United States

While most wineries will “allow” children, there are a few that go above and beyond to make their winery experience family friendly.

Here are 15 of the most kid-friendly wineries in the United States.

• Girardet Vineyards & Winery
• Castello di Amorosa
• Inglenook
• Francis Ford Coppola Winery
• Melville Vineyards and Winery
• Rideau Vineyard
• Volcano Winery
• Wölffer Estate Vineyard
• Bluemont Vineyard and Winery 
• King Family Vineyard
• Windridge Winery
• Biltmore Estate Winery
• Bluefield Estate Winery
• Pond Hill Farms
• Becker Vineyard
• Fluffy Fields Winery

Kid-friendly wineries on the West Coast

The West Coast is highly celebrated as having some of the best wine regions in the country. From Oregon down to the wine country of California, there are tons of great kid-friendly wineries that you could include on a road trip or family vacation. Whether you’re visiting the Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley or further up the coast, here are the best kid-friendly winery experiences in the western United States.

Girardet Vineyards and Winery – Roseburg, OR

Oregon is famous for its excellent wines, so it’s worth visiting the local vineyards during the Oregon road trip.

One of the oldest vineyards and most charming in the state is Girardet Vineyards & Winery, where you can taste excellent wines, including medal-winning Pinot Noir. This family winery is located on the slopes of Umpqua Valley, outside of Roseburg, 20 miles west of Roseburg, 90 miles south of Eugene.

It’s a family winery that was created from love and passion. Founders Philippe & Bonnie Girardet established this European-style estate in 1971. For Philippe, who was born in Switzerland, this piece of land reminded him of Swiss. He taught everything to his son Marc Girardet, who now runs vineyards. He is carrying on the passion for handcrafting extraordinary wines with a touch of the Old World.

All wines Girardet are small-batch, dry-farmed, and 100% estate grown.

The Girardet Vineyards & Winery is not only family-friendly, they are friendly to people of all ages and pets. They are also RV friendly., and have dogs, chickens, and ducks in their vineyards.

The Girardet family welcomes visitors to nice tasting rooms and vineyards. It’s also possible to stay for a night. They have an Airbnb guest cottage, the Chardonnay Chalet, with a great view of the vineyards.

They have Molly The Trolley. It’s a trolley pulled by a tractor, which can take visitors through the vineyard, which is a great attraction for the kids. There are often events where children and dogs are admitted free of charge. It’s best to follow their Facebook page to keep up-to-date with the latest news. Their friends help them in their grape harvest.

Moreover, their wine barrels are tiny works of art. They are painted with colored chalk by friends and visitors during events.

Recommended by Agnes from The Van Escape

Francis Ford Coppola Winery- Geyserville, CA

One of the most unique, kid-friendly wineries in the United States, Coppola Winery in Sonoma County, California is a great experience for all ages.

Unlike most wineries, this 26 acres estate has a 3,600 square foot pool that is open for guests to enjoy from April through October. With lounge chairs and a poolside cafe, and games such as bocce ball, backgammon, and checkers, this is no ordinary winery. 

Visit on a Saturday and kids can enjoy smoothie tasting while their parents enjoy wine tasting. There are also plenty of kid-friendly events on holidays and weekends, that make this winery a refreshing change from the atmosphere at many wineries that cater only to adults.

Founded by the Academy Award winning film director who the winery is named after, Coppola Winery is an experience that deserves a distinguished award itself!

Castello di Amorosa – Calistoga, CA

Perhaps one of the most unique wineries in California, Castello di Amorosa is set in a medieval-style Tuscan castle in Napa Valley. The castle includes 107 rooms on eight different levels. While the winery opened in 2007, the castle was architecturally designed to look like a real 13th century Italian fortress, complete with a torture chamber, drawbridge entrance spanning a moat, and five defensive towers.

While children cannot go on guided group tours with other parties, they are allowed on private tours for your family or group. During your guided tour and tasting kids will receive a cup of grape juice to enjoy right along with the adults in your party. The winery also has coloring books and a kids table in the Knight’s Hall tasting room where little ones can stay entertained while parents sample the various wines. 

Take some time to explore the property, where you will spot peacocks, goats, and other animals.  

Inglenook Estate Winery – Rutherford, CA 

Built in 1887, Inglenook Chateau winery is a beautiful vineyard, winery and estate located in California’s wine country, Napa Valley, roughly 2 hours outside of San Francisco or Sacramento.

Although Inglenook is a kid-friendly winery in Napa Valley, only children 12 and over are allowed on the guided tour of the chateau, vineyards and wine tasting experience. If visiting Inglenook with younger children, skip the tour and tasting and opt for outside patio seating at The Bistro. There, you can enjoy wines by the glass or bottle and soft drinks for the kids. There is also cheese and charcuterie boards available to nibble on as you enjoy your wine in the courtyard. 

The winery has small wooden sailboats available for the kids to borrow and sail in the courtyard fountain. Perhaps a throwback to the original founder and owner of Inglenook, Gustave Nuebaum, who was a ship captain from Finland who became an acclaimed winemaker.

Rideau Vineyard – Santa Ynez, CA

Located in the Santa Ynez Valley amidst beautiful California wine country sits Rideau Vineyard. This family-owned winery and estate prides themselves in sustainably growing and harvesting grapes to produce incredible small-lot wines. This vineyard is in a great location as well, just a five-minute drive from the popular Danish town of Solvang.  

A major draw for families to this winery is the outdoor hosted events. Most popular are the movie nights, free for those under 21. They screen many kid-friendly classics like Indiana Jones and Spiderman. Tickets to their movie nights include all you can eat popcorn and a glass of wine. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own picnic blankets, and can purchase additional food and drinks from the vineyard.  

If simply visiting during the day for a wine tasting, there are kid friendly menu items like pizzas and more adult items like flatbreads and charcuterie boards. The vineyard is surrounded by lush green grounds, perfect for playing or strolling while enjoying some house-made wine. They offer family picnic tables with shade, and are pet friendly as well. Due to the consistently great weather in Santa Ynez Valley, Rideau Vineyard welcomes visitors year-round.  

Recommended by Olivia from the Girl With Blue Sails travel blog

Melville Winery – Santa Barbara, CA

Located in the heart of Santa Rita Hills, Melville Vineyards and Winery is one of the best wineries in Santa Barbara County, California. They are well known for producing 100% estate-grown wines. Hardcore pinot people will definitely love their wines and when it is about purity and quality, Melville Winery must be on the top of the list. Melville Winery also has a great collection of Chardonnay and Syrah. Here you can see the difference between the estate and block designated wines.

Melville Winery offers a lovely setting for tasting their amazing pinots and syrahs indoors or out while enjoying the beautiful scenery in a perfectly relaxing ambiance.

It is a family-friendly winery where you can come with your kids. There is a beautiful tree-shaded ground where your kids can play. They provide many picnic tables, so while you are enjoying a delightful tasting experience, keep your kids busy with picnic items at another table. You are also allowed to bring outside food and enjoy a great picnic lunch in the garden with friends or families.

Recommended by Trijit Mallick from BudgetTravelBuff

Volcano Winery – Big Island, HI

If you’re looking for a really unique family-friendly winery experience, you’ll want to check out Volcano Winery on Hawaii’s Big Island. This winery is located literally on the side of an active volcano, at an elevation of 4,000 feet. That volcanic soil makes for amazing growing conditions and some truly unique wines to try out! 

In addition to growing grapes, Volcano Winery also grows and incorporates tropical fruits like lilikoi (passionfruit), starfruit, and papaya into their wines. This makes for a truly one-of-a-kind wine-tasting experience.

Also read our post: best Hawaiian foods you must try

Volcano Winery has a relaxed atmosphere. Tastings are very affordable, and kids are welcome. Kids can even take part in their own tasting experience and try several teas that are grown and processed on the Big Island!

There are some intriguing dessert wines for those with a sweet tooth, including a Macadamia Nut Honey wine and a wine created from one of their teas!

Read more tips for visiting Hawaii and unique Hawaii experiences.

Recommended by Constance from A Well-Read Wanderer

Kid-friendly wineries on the East Coast

Although not as well known as the wine regions on the west coast, the east coast has several areas where vineyards thrive. From New York down to Virginia and into the Blue Ridge Mountains, here are some of the best wineries for families in the eastern United States.

Wolffer – Sagaponack, NY

Wölffer Estate Vineyard is located about two hours away from New York City off of Montauk Highway in Sagaponack, part of the Hamptons hamlet. This beloved local vineyard is an idyllic location for couples and families alike to spend the afternoon or evening year round. 

The winery is most known for their annual Summer in a Bottle rosé, ciders, and Sunset Friday events with live music beginning at 5pm. The sunset Friday events are perfect for everyone of all ages!

Sunset Fridays is a casual night amongst the vines, where guests may enjoy the sunset, music, and Wölffer wine. A selection of food items is available, served in take-out containers with plenty of snack options for young children. Please note that outside food and drinks are not permitted. 

Should you wish to visit Wölffer during the day, they also offer bookings at their Tasting Room at 139 Sagg Rd. Families are very welcome at the vineyard and are able to walk through the gardens and in select areas through the vines, while supervised.

Recommended by Vanessa from East End Taste Magazine

Bluemont Vineyard – Bluemont, VA

Bluemont Vineyard and Winery is only an hour from Washington, D.C. and yet you feel like you are in another country! The vineyard and winery is perched on a lovely hillside overlooking the rolling hills of the Delaplane Valley. The stone structure and vineyard below make for a great family-friendly winery and incredible views.

Bluemont Vineyard offers a relaxed casual atmosphere that is great for kids and a cafe which provides non alcoholic beverages and flatbreads for the kids. The menu is all farm to table. The kids can also explore the winding grapevines. Across the dirt path from the Winery is Great Country Farms which is a regional favorite spot for families. They have tons of animals, playgrounds, giant pillow trampoline, gem mining and snacks. And there’s tons more to do in the area if visiting Washington D.C. with kids!

Recommended by Jennifer from Family Trip Guides

King Family Vineyards – Crozet, VA

The King Family Vineyard is considered the best winery in all of Virginia, USA. It is owned and operated by the King family. At present, it is managed by Carrington King, co-owner of the winery. The estate is at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Crozet, Virginia. It’s a mere fifteen minutes’ ride from the nearby city of Charlottesville.

The winery has indoor and outdoor wine tasting areas. Lush green lawns surround these places. People can enjoy a pleasant picnic on these lawns at the foothills of the Ridge Mountains. Children of all ages are allowed here. The vast open area can bring a lot of joy to small children. They can run around freely here while enjoying the beautiful nature. Pets are also allowed on the lawns.

Food options are not available here. The winery offers pre-packaged meat, crackers, etc. You can go for a wine tasting, have a picnic or buy some of the finest wine handpicked by the makers. 

This place can also be rented out for weddings or other private or corporate events. Roseland Polo matches are hosted at King Family Vineyards every Sunday from Memorial Day weekend. These matches are open to the public for free. The matches continue every Sunday morning until mid-October.

All in all, this place is ideal for a short family day off. You can also pitch tents and stay the night here when visiting on the weekend. The surroundings and staff are great, so you will surely have a wonderful experience.

Recommended by Ruma from The Holiday Story

Windridge Vineyards – Darnestown, MD

Calling all kids and playful puppies! Take your fun-seeking parents to Windridge Winery in Darnestown, Maryland.

The family-owned winery with deep farming roots is located at 15700 Darnestown Road (Route 28). It is less than an hour drive from Washington DC or Baltimore. This winery fills a gap for residents in Montgomery County, Maryland. On a nice day, particularly during fall in Maryland, finish a hike at nearby Black Hills Park with a winery picnic at Windridge.

Windridge’s sublime setting exudes peace nestled on rolling fields near Seneca Creek State Park. Gaze at the Sugarloaf Mountain in the distance, sipping a Seneca red wine, while the kids play with their toys. To guarantee a place in the shade, reserve a free picnic table. (Book early for weekend dates.) Each reservation is limited to a maximum of two hours. View the calendar online to see what food trucks will be on site. The “rolling” menu is such to excite any kids—hot dogs, burgers, tacos, or pizza. And parents can order cheese and charcuterie from the tasting room.

Enjoy an evening concert under the stars. Pack a picnic for a budget-friendly family meal. Bring a frisbee to play with your dog. Hike the vineyard’s rolling fields and examine the grape vines.

Parents will enjoy a wide selection of wines produced from local grape varietials. Kids must be supervised at all times. No sporting equipment is permitted. Well-behaved, domestic pets are welcome on grassy areas only; they must be leashed and cleaned up after. 

Recommended by Terri from Female Solo Trek

Biltmore Estate Winery – Asheville, North Carolina

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, the Biltmore Estate is an impressive 8,000 acre property that features a mansion that was once home to the Vanderbilts, beautifully landscaped gardens, a farmyard and playground in an area known as Antler Hill Village, and of course the esteemed winery. 

Complimentary tastings are included with your ticket to tour the Biltmore, so they have made the winery experience a family-friendly one. Kids receive complimentary grape juice while their parents taste the wine. 

The winery frequently has live music just outside the wine bar, and the adjacent Antler Hill Village has plenty of food and shopping options. Throughout the estate, you’ll find walking and hiking trails, horseback riding, and enough activities to keep your kids entertained for an entire day. 

Bluefields Estate Winery – Gainesville, FL

Bluefield Estate Winery is located in the outskirts of Gainesville, Florida, 20 minutes east, and is famous for its blueberry wines. Aside from wine tasting for the parents, the whole family can enjoy blueberry or grape picking, depending on the season. 

Buckets are available for those who prefer to pick blueberries or grapes, and you pay, which depends on the weight of the fruits that are picked. 

The groves are very pretty and make for really good photographs. 

Before you leave, make sure to grab the sweet blueberry and peach perfection wine bottles. They taste different than regular wine and much sweeter. The winery makes wines in small batches, and you probably won’t get these wines in a store unless you actually get to visit the winery so include this place on your weekend trip to Gainesville.

Recommended by Ruby from Voyage Florida

Kid-friendly wineries in the Midwest and Central USA

Don’t discount the central part of the United States when it comes to kid-friendly wineries. You’ll find a variety of options in the Midwest and the Texas Hill Country that are great for families to visit.

Pond Hill Farms – Harbor Springs, MI

Pond Hill Farm Winery is located on a bend along the scenic Route 119 near the Tunnel of Trees in Harbor Springs, Michigan. This working farm has been in operation for over 20 years and has something fun for everyone.

Pond Hill Farm Winery has 200 miles of trails stretching through the expansive property, including vineyards and a 1.5 mile gnome house hunt trail.

Pond Hill Farm is also a brewery with a tasting room onsite, an outdoor patio biergarten and a farm to table seasonal cafe. Homemade goods, vegetables, and their own wine, beer, and cider are sold at the market. After lunch and stocking up on wine there is more to do outside. Hayrides are offered all summer and fall. There is pig racing and opportunities to feed animals. Speckles the sheep, pigs and goats are always up for a visit in the livestock barn. 

Pond Hill has several squash rockets, an ice cream shop and a trout pond to feed the fish. There is also a playground, sandbox and a climbing wall for the kids. There are outdoor activities all year. In the fall, Pond Hill is home to the best pumpkin farm in Michigan. Winterfest brings Christmas trees, sledding and snowshoeing through the trails. Pond Hill also hosts an epic Easter egg hunt in the spring.  Gather up the family and spend the day at Pond Hill Farm Winery.

Recommended by Carol from Isthisevenaroad.com   

Becker Vineyards – Fredericksburg, Texas

Becker Vineyards is one of the largest and nicest wineries in the Texas Hill Country, and luckily, they are also kid-friendly. 

They offer complimentary tours of their winery that children are welcome to accompany their parents on. The grounds are also beautiful. There is a lovely courtyard for kids to run around in, lawn games for them to play, and a resident cat that roams the premises. Parents can sit at one of the tables on the patio while their children explore the courtyard. 

The winery also makes a great place for a picnic. Aside from the vineyards, Becker also has lavender fields which smell heavenly when in bloom, which is typically mid-April through mid-May. 

Besides their vineyard, Becker also has a tasting room on Main Street in the charming town of Fredericksburg where you can purchase their wine and other Texas souvenirs.

Fluffy Fields Vineyard and Winery – Dickinson, ND

When you think of North Dakota, vineyards may not be the first thing that comes to mind. While the state is best known for its badlands and prairies, like you find in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, it is also home to a great kid-friendly winery. 

Fluffy Fields Vineyard and Winery in the town of Dickinson, North Dakota in the western part of the state, is a great winery for families. With a beautiful courtyard and outdoor seating, the winery on the northern edge of town offers kids plenty of space to roam while parents relax. There is also a kid’s menu with child-friendly foods like cheeseburgers, flatbread pizza, and chicken nuggets.

The vineyard also routinely hosts live musicians and community events that make for a fun community environment and a great place for families to hang out on weekends.

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This post on the wineries with kids was originally written in December 2015 but was updated in July 2021 for accuracy and current information.

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