Wine Vacation in Solvang

After a wonderful weekend free of internet and all things non-alcoholic, I finally made it back to my computer to post about the amazing trip I took to Solvang, CA, for Easter weekend!  I have been on a wine kick lately and wanted to spend a little time à la Sideways. :)  Of course I wanted to have the dog with me while I indulged myself so I did a bunch of research pre-trip to ensure dog-friendly fun.

I checked into the Wine Valley Inn with W (names shall remain anonymous until I get around to asking them if they mind admitting to travelling with Bo and I... haha) and were immediately greeted with a complimentary glass of wine! THAT is my kind of place.  Our room, located right outside an old bell tower, was gorgeous and unique... not to mention pet-friendly (as are all of the rooms here for an additional $25 a night)!  We didn't realize that most places close by 9pm off-season, so we ended up having a hilarious Mexican food feast in Danish country because it was the only place we could find that was still open (we found a few other places the next night though so not to worry).

Saturday began with a breakfast at the hotel followed by a trip to one of my favorite vineyards in Solvang, Shoestring Winery. The owners are super dog-friendly and even have their own dog, Scooter, in a Wine Dogs book!  If you want some of the best wine in the Santa Ynez Valley paired with a beautiful atmosphere and amazing owners, you have to check this place out! I dare you to not join the wine club after you visit the first time! :)

We spent the afternoon outside at the Wandering Dog Wine Bar enjoying many glasses of wine and some delicious cheese!  They were even happy to have Bo inside but it was too sunny to pass up an outdoor table (complete with doggie water bowls).  A bunch of their wine was dog-themed, such as Chien Tarchete (Spotted Dog) and the house wine Wandering Dog "Leila."  I would go back to this place in a heartbeat!

Later (after a danish and a nap), we spent the evening at Carvintas Winery, a dog-friendly tasting room in Solvang. As we entered, we saw a big drawing of Bandit the dog who highly recommended wine consumption!  The bartender Beth was so sweet to us, explaining all of the wines and suggesting breakfast options for the hangover cure.  The best part of this place?  A portion of their profits goes to local shelters to support rescue pups (a lucky few even end up on their labels!).  Bo was not only welcome inside the tasting room... they even offered him his choice of doggie beds!

We finished off the trip with a Danish breakfast Sunday morning at the Greenhouse Cafe and a stroll around the town.  Needless to say, this was a wonderful dog-friendly trip!  Bo was absolutely exhausted when I got home and I couldn't wait to drink a bottle of water!  If you are looking for an excuse to get out of the city for a weekend, this paradise is only a couple hours away.