Bring Your Dogs and Your Kids
Recently there was an article in the San Francisco Chronicle about the trend in some wineries being friendly towards children and dogs. Rosenblum Cellars has always been happy to let dogs roam the tasting room. With an owner who started his wine career while moonlighting as a veterinarian, it would seem silly if we didn’t. With a water bowl on the floor and treats behind the bar, it’s a veritable doggy playground. And of course, our Chateau la Paws label with the two Rhone style wines donates to Paws with a Cause.
Recently, we made the move to help find entertainement for children. With coloring books, cards, an Etch-a-Sketch, and other games…the kids can keep busy while their parents taste good wine. Juice boxes are scheduled to arrive soon.
The article focused mainly on Napa and Sonoma, so we didn’t get mentioned…. but our tasting room in Healdsburg did get the spotlight. Here’s what they said:
Some of those kids are finding their way to Rosenblum Cellars’ Healdsburg tasting room, where hospitality manager Celeste Cooper added coloring books and crayons to a side room this summer after seeing three to five groups a day with children. She often has chocolate on hand, and the water cooler features Dora the Explorer cups.
“I’m not sure if I’m doing a favor for the kids, the parents or my staff,” Cooper said. Bringing children does “seem to be becoming part of the wine tasting experience that I don’t think existed five years ago…It may not be the ideal situation, but it exists and we feel it is our job to do our best to accommodate all our guests, both young and old.”
Cooper said her underage visitors are for the most part well behaved, and their parents generally respond quickly when they’re not. She said parents can sip their Zinfandel on the front porch or “tag team” the tasting.
I think Celeste is right. Maybe it’s not the best thing in the world to have kids in a tasting room, as the article also points out that some customers dislike having their peaceful tasting experience disturbed by crying and whining. But they and we may have to deal with it. If parents have no other options or if they’re just going to one winery (which often happens to us at Rosenblum’s Alameda location since we’re kinda out of the way of other wineries), they may need to bring the little ones. That’s why it’s important to be prepared. We at the winery will do what we can to make it a welcoming environment, and the parents and dog owners should keep an eye on their charges to make sure everyone has the best time possible.
EDIT: Does anyone have an opinion on kids (or dogs) in tasting rooms?
Rosenblum Cellars tasting room, kid-friendly wineries, dog-friendly wineries
November 16th, 2007 at 5:43 am
Good to know, although we don’t have a dog (yet) and the tougher part would be getting the dog on the plane. haha
Gotta love the free press though.
John
November 16th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
John,
I don’t have kids or dogs (though I’d like the second), so it doesn’t affect me either way.
And free press is always welcome.