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  • How to Take the Family Wine Tasting: A Parent’s Guide

    Mom enjoying wine in Members' Cellar Club

    When choosing an event for the family, a day spent wine tasting might not be your first thought. However, family-friendly wineries have grown in popularity in recent years, with the goal of making wine tasting a more accessible activity for families to enjoy together.

    Whether offering non-alcoholic alternatives to wine or hosting activities for guests under the age of 21 to enjoy while the adults sample an array of fine wines, wineries are getting creative as they craft family-friendly wine experiences for visitors.

    V. Sattui is proud to be one of the wineries at the forefront of creating a welcoming environment for families to enjoy. Read on for our parent’s guide to the perfect wine tasting day with your family.

    Our Guide to Discovering the Best Family-Friendly Wineries

    If you’ve never taken your children wine tasting before, it can be daunting to plan your first trip as a family. You know that if your first winery trip with the kids goes smoothly, you’ll be much more comfortable making it a regular occurrence, but how do you put your best foot forward?

    It all comes down to choosing the right winery for your family.

    Do your research beforehand – visit the websites of wineries that you’re interested in visiting and see what their policies are. Do they allow guests under the age of 21? Does the winery look too formal to comfortably visit with children? Most importantly, does their website mention amenities that all members of the family can enjoy?

    Taking the time to plan your winery experience beforehand makes all the difference as you work toward a smooth day in wine country with your family.

    Family taking a vineyard walk.

    Making the Most of Napa Valley With Kids: Educational Opportunities

    For older kids and teenagers, Napa Valley can be an interesting and educational place to visit. While they may be too young to actually sample the wines, there is still so much to learn about agriculture and the winemaking process. Many wineries offer tours of both the winery and vineyards, and getting a behind-the-scenes look at grape growing and how wine is made is a great experience for guests of all ages.

    Some wineries even offer non-alcoholic tasting options for guests under the legal drinking age. At V. Sattui, we have several still and sparkling juices and love offering tastings for kids free of charge as their parents sample our wide array of wines. We think that it’s the perfect way for younger guests to get to be involved and have the full tasting experience, even if they can’t yet participate in an official wine tasting!

    Winemaker Jason Moravec and son enjoying juice in the vineyard.

    Fun Activities at Kid-Friendly Wineries

    As kid-friendly wineries rise in popularity, many wineries are beginning to offer on-site activities for younger guests to enjoy. It’s no secret that it’s easier for the adults to enjoy themselves when the kids are happily occupied, and wineries catering to families are ready to help parents make the most of their time in wine country while their kids have just as good of a time themselves.

    At V. Sattui, we know that a visit to a winery might not be your child’s idea of a dream day, which is why children accompanying their parents on winery tours are often surprised with wine country coloring sheets and crayons to keep them entertained.

    Winery Dining Options for Families

    Many wineries offer dining options, which are a great way to spend time as a family during your time in wine country. Parents can enjoy the best of the winery’s portfolio, while kids enjoy delicious bites crafted with fresh, local ingredients.

    Picnic including V. Sattui's famous Italian Sandwich on foccacia, a variety of cheeses, and a glass of wine.

    At V. Sattui, we have several amazing, family-oriented dining options that everyone is sure to love. Our artisan deli carries everything that you need for the perfect picnic, and kids will love our house-made desserts and gelato. Stop by on the weekend to grab a bite from our food truck, which serves a variety of made-to-order gourmet pizzas for the perfect afternoon in the Napa sunshine.

    How to Plan for Trips to Family-Friendly Wineries

    Parents know that when it comes to planning an outing with kids, it’s all in the preparation. Planning out the logistics of your day beforehand is the key to ensuring that spirits stay high and stress is nonexistent on the day of your visit.

    Here are a few of our top tips for planning your trip to a family-friendly winery.

    • Think through the timing of your visit. Only you know what’s best for your kids – are they at their best earlier in the day, or is afternoon a more ideal time for them to be content? We know that naptime waits for no man – or wine! – so plan in a way that works best for your family’s schedule.
    • Consider visiting during the off season. If you’re particularly worried about your family’s first trip to the winery, consider planning your visit for a time when it will be less busy than usual. In Napa, November through February is a great time to visit for low crowds.
    • Talk to your kids before you visit about winery etiquette. Kids don’t know what it means to attend a wine tasting, so walk them through the basics and explain to them the expected behavior ahead of time.

     

    Family in the vineyard with red wine.

    Family-Friendly Napa Valley Activities for Your Time in Wine Country

    For families traveling to Napa, there are many other family-friendly activities to enjoy in addition to wine tasting. Sign up for a hot air balloon ride over the valley, or explore one of the area’s stunning local hiking trails. Take in beautiful art, visit the farmer’s market, or rent kayaks and paddle the Napa River.

    With so many fun things for the whole family to do in Napa, you’ll be planning your next trip back before you know it.

    Child in vineyard with fresh picked grape.

    FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Planning to Visit Family-Friendly Wineries

    Are you ready to bring the whole family to your next wine tasting? Here are a few of our most frequently asked questions from parents trying to plan a winery day for their family.

    Are guests under the age of 21 allowed to visit V. Sattui?

    Yes! We welcome you to bring the entire family when you visit V. Sattui Winery. Come spend a day in wine country with us!

    What are the best family-friendly wineries in Napa?

    V. Sattui is the best family-friendly winery in the Napa Valley. At V. Sattui, we welcome guests of all ages, and would love to help you introduce your kids and teens to the world of winemaking.

    Can my family picnic at V. Sattui?

    Yes! Come visit our picnic grounds to take in the beauty of Napa while enjoying our finest wines and artisanal food pairings.

    Enjoy the Best of Family-Friendly Wineries in Napa With V. Sattui

    Father and son in vineyard in the sunshine.

    Experience the joys of wine tasting with your entire family at V. Sattui Winery. We’re passionate about hospitality, and believe that wine is best when enjoyed with friends and family – no matter the age.

    Come enjoy our beautiful grounds and taste the best wine and food that Napa has to offer. We can’t wait to share our love for wine with you and your family!

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