Weekend At A Winery: 1 Day, 25+ Wineries & This One's For The Dogs

LIVERMORE, CA — Add this to Fido's social calendar!

The annual "Wine & Wags" event — a day for dogs and their vino-loving owners — is set for Saturday, April 30 in Livermore's wine country with roughly 25 participating wineries.

The afternoon will include a doggie obstacle courses, costume contest, treats, pet-themed merchandise, wine tasting and food, plus many wineries will offer discounts on bottles of wine, according to organizer Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association.

Local animal-rescue organizations also will be on hand, with adoptable dogs in need of forever homes.

Among activities:

• Yoga, Wine & Pups: Big White House Winery & John Evan Cellars. (Separate tickets required. Purchase here.);
• Milk Bones, wine raffle to support Wings of Rescue at Cedar Mountain Winery;
• Dog costume contest at Retzlaff Winery;
• Dog photo booth and belly-rub station at Rosa Fierro Cellars;
• Doggie obstacle course at Garré Vineyard and Winery;
• Pet portraits at Concannon Vineyard;
• Car's Doggi Delights, homemade dog treats, doggie photo booth at McGrail Vineyards;
• Humans do a trick, dog gets a treat at The Singing Winemaker;
• Homemade dog biscuits at Dante Robere Vineyards;
• “BARcuterie” boxes at Nottingham Cellars;
• “Pup Bar” at Fenestra Winery.

Wine & Wags tickets are $30 in advance (purchase online here) and $35 at the event, which runs 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.. Included are entrance into participating wineries, a Livermore Valley Wine Country GoVino glass, a minimum of two wine tastes at up to five wineries and access to event activities.

Dogs must be leashed at all times.

Participating Livermore Valley wineries, some with dining options:

• 3 Steves Winery;
• Almost Famous Wine Company;
• Arroyo Cellars;
• Bent Creek Winery;
• Big White House Winery (Charming Fig charcuterie boxes);
• Boaventura Winery;
• Cedar Mountain Winery and Port Works (Cheese snacks);
• Concannon Vineyard (Boondoggies Hot Dog Cart);
• Dante Robere Vineyards;
• Del Valle Winery (The Cheese Parlor);
• Favalora Vineyards Winery;
• Fenestra Winery (Charcuterie Boxes from Charming Fig Catering);
• Free Range Flowers Winery;
• Garré Vineyard and Winery (Garre Café, Charcuterie boxes to-go);
• Las Positas Vineyards;
• Longevity Wines (Much Ado About Pizza);
• McGrail Vineyards and Winery;
• Nottingham Cellars (Meats and cheeses, rolling hot dog cart);
• Occasio Winery;
• Omega Road Winery;
• Page Mill Winery;
• Paulsen Vineyards;
• Retzlaff Winery (Tasteful Catering and Events);
• Rosa Fierro Cellars (Marty’s Joint Food Truck);
• The Singing Winemaker (Que Squared BBQ);
• Wood Family Vineyards (Marty's Joint).

Participating rescue organizations:

• Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) at Bent Creek Winery;
• Calpaws K9 Rescue at Occasio Winery;
• Contra Costa County Animal Services at Free Range Flower Winery;
• Coppers Dream Rescue at Fenestra Winery;
• Destiny’s Hope at BoaVentura Winery;
• East Bay SPCA at Garré Vineyard and Winery;
• German Shepherd Rescue of North America at Retzlaff Winery;
• NorCal Sled Dog Rescue at Longevity Wines;
• Ozzie’s Pound Puppies at Concannon Vineyard;
• Paws in Need at Wood Family Vineyards;
• Tiny Paws Pug Rescue at Big White House Winery;
• Umbrella of Hope at Las Positas Vineyards;
• Valley Humane Society at Del Valle Winery;
• Wings of Rescue at Cedar Mountain Winery.

For out-of-towners, area lodging options include the Purple Orchid Wine Country Resort And Spa, Courtyard by Marriott Livermore, Hilton Garden Inn Livermore, Hampton Inn Livermore and in neighboring Pleasanton, The Rose Hotel.

Dining options in Livermore's quaint downtown can be found here.

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