Paso Robles with Pups

So I have been watching an 11 week old golden retriever puppy for some friends while they are out of town. And since I can't get said friends to go wine tasting in Paso Robles with me, I decided to take their dog, Hamilton, instead. Going wine tasting with dogs definitely slows you down a little bit. We were only able to do 4 wineries, where usually we can do about 6. Some of that might have had to do with the heat of the day though, it gets freaking hot out here in the desert.

My mom, aunt and I loaded up the two pups and headed towards Paso. We had a list of about 12 wineries that we were pretty sure would allow leashed dogs inside the tasting room.

Here is Hamilton anxiously awaiting his day of adventure, and Sunset slinking down saying "Do I really have to put up with this?"

Stop #1: Chumeia Vineyards
Tasting Fee: $5, waived with purchase

Our first stop was winery, that through some research, I knew was dog friendly inside the tasting room. The other neat thing about this winery is that they work closely with an animal shelter nearby, donating part of their proceeds and also acting as a drop off point for various pet related items needed at the shelter. We had a great time here. Sunset and Hamilton were pretty excited as this was they first stop after an hour and a half of laying in the car, so they didn't calm down too well. We were still able to taste, and each of us left having bought at least one bottle of wine.

(Doesn't she make a great spokesdog?)

Stop #2: Bianchi

Tasting Fee: $5, includes the glass

This place was great. The grounds were gorgeous and the wines were amazing. This is definitely a do-over stop. I will be coming back here for sure. Everything we tasted was really good. The staff was great, and the dogs were a little bit more mellow this time having now understood the drill. 

Stop #3: Eberle

Tasting Fee: Free

This was my second stop at Eberle. Their wines were decent enough last time, and I also knew from last time that their tasting room was pet friendly. Eberle also has an incredible discount for military at 40%, which is better than what they offer members of their wine club, good deal!

Here is Sunset outside enjoying the fresh air and great views at Eberle.

Stop #4: Firestone

Tasting Fee: $5, not waived with purchase

Their wines are decent enough, and their tasting room is dog friendly (including treats for the pups) but if you purchase a bottle of wine, or even a case of wine like my mom did, they do not waive the tasting fee or give you one of their labeled glasses.

The pups were getting done at this point and so we decided to get some lunch and then head home from here. We ate at a place called Farmstand 46 where all their veggies on the sandwiches are pulled straight from the garden on premises. We had a meat and veggie sandwich that was really yummy.

Sunset says it's time to go:

And Hamilton had a little too much to drink: