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Markham’s Dog-Friendly Winery Guide

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Late summer in Napa Valley has a particular pull - warm afternoons, long light, and vineyards that seem built for lingering over a glass of wine. Add a dog into the mix, and it's about as good as a wine country afternoon gets.

We happen to think wine tasting and dogs go together naturally. So at Markham, we’ve made sure there’s room for both.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I bring my dog wine tasting in Napa Valley?”, the answer at Markham Vineyards is yes. We’re a dog-friendly winery in St. Helena, and one of a growing number of pet-friendly wineries in Napa Valley where leashed pups are welcome to join their humans.

Whether you’re a Napa local looking for a relaxed afternoon out or planning a wine country getaway and simply can’t imagine leaving your four-legged companion behind, here’s everything you need to know about visiting Markham with your dog this season, including a few tips that’ll make the day easier on everyone.

Markham’s Dog Policy: What to Know Before You Visit

At Markham, leashed dogs are welcome – and genuinely encouraged – throughout the property, both inside our tasting room and out on the shaded garden patios. If your dog usually tags along wherever you go, there’s no reason a wine tasting should be any different. We’ll pour up our finest wines – and keep a full water bowl nearby for your pup. Dog treats are also available for purchase during your visit, and if your four-legged friend needs a little extra wine country style, Markham dog bandanas or plush toys make a great souvenir.

If you know you’ll be bringing your dog, it’s a good idea to mention it when you make your reservation. Walk-ins are always welcome for our Discovery of Napa and Exploration of Markham tastings, but if you’re bringing a dog, a reservation is the best way to help guarantee a seating preference, whether that’s a patio table or a spot inside.

If you’re searching more broadly for a winery in Napa Valley that allows dogs, it helps to know that policies vary quite a bit from one tasting room to the next, which makes Markham’s standing invitation to leashed pups an easy one to plan around.

Napa Valley Tasting Experiences to Enjoy With Your Dog

A day of wine tasting doesn’t have to feel rushed or formal. Some of our favorite afternoons are the ones where guests settle in, compare favorite pours, chat with our Wine Ambassadors, and simply enjoy being together in Napa Valley – pets included.

Markham has been part of the Napa Valley story since our Historic Stone Cellar was built in 1879 by pioneering vintner Jean Laurent. Founded in 1977, Markham Vineyards has since become known for our Napa Valley Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and other Bordeaux-varietal wines. A visit to our Napa Valley tasting room is a chance to explore that history one pour at a time.

If you prefer to sit outdoors with your pup, two of our tasting experiences are especially well suited to a visit with your dog:

Discovery of Napa is a relaxed, guided introduction to Markham and the diversity of Napa Valley. This comparative tasting explores limited-production wines from across Napa Valley’s appellations, showing how varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot express themselves differently depending on where they’re grown. It runs about 90 minutes and can be enjoyed entirely on our shaded garden patios as a relaxed outdoor tasting in St. Helena.

Exploration of Markham is the pick for guests who want to settle in and stay a while. This guided tasting pairs premium wines and special library selections with locally sourced artisan cheeses and charcuterie, while sharing the history of our winery and Historic Stone Cellar. It’s also available on the garden patios, making it a great option for a more elevated outdoor wine tasting in Napa Valley. Just keep an eye on the charcuterie board – we have yet to meet a dog who understands that the cheese pairing was selected for the humans.

Markham is one of the walk-in wineries in Napa Valley for these two tastings, though we always recommend reserving ahead, especially if you’re bringing a pup and want to be sure of a patio spot.

If your dog is just as happy indoors, Cabernet Connoisseur’s Experience is our most exclusive offering – a private tasting of rare library vintages, limited single-vineyard wines, and an exclusive barrel tasting, expertly paired with local cheeses, charcuterie, and chocolates, held inside our Historic Stone Cellar. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you there too.

Tips for Wine Tasting With Dogs in Napa Valley

You know your dog better than anyone. Some pups are perfectly happy snoozing under the tasting table while their humans debate Merlot versus Cabernet Sauvignon. Others would rather be on a walk than sitting still while someone talks about tannins. Before planning a day of wine tasting with your dog, it’s worth thinking honestly about whether they’re comfortable around new people, other dogs, and unfamiliar surroundings.

If the answer is yes, a little preparation goes a long way:

  • Keep your dog leashed. Even the most easygoing pup can get distracted in a new environment, and a leash keeps things comfortable for other guests and their dogs, too.
  • Bring water for the road. Napa Valley gets warm, especially in summer. We keep water bowls on hand for visiting dogs, but it’s smart to carry your own between stops.
  • Look for shade. Hot pavement and long stretches of direct sun aren’t fun for dogs. A shaded outdoor tasting area, like our Garden Patios, makes for a much more comfortable summer visit.
  • Pack the essentials. Waste bags, a favorite treat, and maybe a small mat or blanket can help your dog settle in. If you forget the treats, we sell those too.
  • Take a walk beforehand. A little exercise before a tasting can work wonders, especially for higher-energy dogs.
  • Don’t overschedule the day. Three or four winery stops might sound reasonable to the humans in the group, but your dog may feel differently. Leave room between tastings for walks, water, and rest.
  • Watch the forecast. On an especially hot day, an earlier tasting when temperatures are cooler is usually the more comfortable choice.

And, as a friendly reminder: dogs should never be given wine or any other alcoholic beverage. Their job is simply to be excellent company.

If you’re planning a wine country trip beyond Markham, it’s worth remembering that every Napa Valley winery sets its own pet policy – some welcome dogs outdoors, some have designated areas, and some don’t accommodate dogs at all. Before you go, it’s always worth checking a winery’s current policy so you know what to expect, especially if you’re mapping out a list of dog-friendly wineries in Napa Valley to visit in one trip.

Plan a Dog-Friendly Day in St. Helena

Part of what makes Napa Valley special is that a great day here doesn’t need to be packed wall-to-wall with appointments. If your dog is coming along, embrace a slower pace. Start with a morning walk in the dog-friendly Wappo Park before heading to Markham for your tasting. Once you arrive, find a comfortable spot, let your pup settle in, and let your Wine Ambassador guide you through the wines.

Afterward, leave time for another walk or a quiet break instead of rushing straight to the next stop. A relaxed itinerary tends to make for a better day for everyone – humans and dogs alike.

Late summer is a particularly beautiful time to visit, and one of the best windows for summer tastings in Napa Valley. The vines are full, the days are long, and there’s an unmistakable energy building in wine country as harvest approaches. Relaxing with a glass of Napa Valley wine and your dog resting at your feet is a pretty wonderful way to experience it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you bring a dog for a wine tasting at Markham?

Yes. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you for any of our tasting experiences.

Can you bring dogs to wineries in Napa Valley in general?

It depends on the winery – pet policies vary widely across Napa Valley. Some wineries welcome dogs outdoors, some have designated pet-friendly areas, and others don’t accommodate dogs at all. It’s always worth checking a winery’s current policy before you go.

Do I need a reservation to bring my dog to Markham?

Reservations aren’t required for our Discovery of Napa and Exploration of Markham tastings, which welcome walk-ins, but they are recommended, especially on busy weekends. Cabernet Connoisseur’s Experience requires a reservation in advance. If you’re bringing a dog and prefer to sit outdoors, let us know when you book so we can make sure a patio spot is ready for you.

Are Markham’s tastings outdoors?

Discovery of Napa and Exploration of Markham can be enjoyed either indoors in the tasting room or outside on our shaded garden patios – and your dog is welcome to join you either way. Patio seating is available on a space-available basis, so if you’d like to be sure of an outdoor spot, we recommend making a reservation. Cabernet Connoisseur’s Experience is held indoors in our Historic Stone Cellar.

Bring Your Best Friend to Markham

If you’re looking for a dog-friendly winery in Napa Valley, we’d love to welcome you – and your pup – to Markham Vineyards in St. Helena this season.

Settle into our shaded garden patios or sun-filled tasting room for an afternoon of wine and good company. Choose Discovery of Napa for an approachable introduction to wines from Napa Valley’s renowned appellations; enjoy the Exploration of Markham for premium wines, library selections, and an artisan cheese and charcuterie pairing; or go all in for our luxurious Cabernet Connoisseur’s experience – also dog-friendly – to enjoy a private tasting of rare library vintages, limited single-vineyard wines, and an exclusive barrel tasting, expertly paired with our favorite local cheeses, charcuterie, and chocolates.

Your dog may not appreciate the nuances of a well-made Napa Valley Merlot quite the way you do, but we suspect they’ll approve of the fresh air, the company, and the small chance of a dropped crumb.

The best wine country memories are the ones shared with good friends. Even the ones with tails.

Reserve ahead to make sure there’s a spot waiting for you both.

We can’t wait to welcome you. Book your tasting here.