Red wine and vineyard views at Lava Cap Winery in Apple Hill.

My husband and I really enjoy exploring all the unique wine regions of California, including the vineyards and wineries found in the Apple Hill region. Located just under an hour outside Sacramento, Apple Hill is a popular place for both families and adults to enjoy picturesque countryside scenery.

Along with being wine lovers, we are also parents and we don’t always have childcare… so we are always looking for child-friendly wineries to frequent when we have to bring the whole family.

We’ve had mixed experiences bringing our kids to wineries, some places have been very welcoming and others have informed us that they are not family-friendly.

For this guide to wineries in Apple Hill, I contacted each one of the below locations and asked them about their policies around brining children. So you can feel confident when you begin making plans for your trip to Apple Hill.

Lava Cap Winery

Lava Cap is one of the most well-known wineries in Apple Hill and I am very happy to inform you that they welcome families with children to their winery. They have a large lawn that overlooks the vineyard with picnic tables, which is a nice area where kids can play.

Fenton Herriott Vineyards

Fenton Herriott Vineyards does consider themselves to be family-friendly with a large picnic area right outside the tasting room. They also do have bocce ball courts that kids often play in. They just ask that kids stay seated with their parents during table service to keep a healthy distance from other patrons.

Spend an afternoon at the you-pick apple farms and then enjoy some wine tastings afterwards in Apple Hill.

Rucksack Cellars & Madroña Vineyards

At both Madona Vineyards and Rucksack Cellars they do allow children to join their parents, they just ask that all children remain at the table with the adults during their visit.

The tables at Rucksack are covered in butcher block paper, and they have many wonderful pictures of drawings from children at the winery.

Madona Vineyards and Rucksack Cellars are sister wineries and they have the same policies for both their properties.

Boa Vista Orchards Tasting Room

At Boa Vista Orchards you’ll find many things to do and explore. Along with their winery tasting room they also have a farmer’s market, bakery and BBQ grill lunch. At the winery they specialize in apple wines, and they also have hard apple cider, desert wines and red wine.

Starfield Vineyards

My contact at Starfield Vineyards informed me that you’ll find a mix of experiences - some are designated for 21 and older adults and others allow minors to join.

At Starfield children are welcome on the Upper Patio, Amphitheater and Nature Trails, but the tasting room and Lake Pavilion are only for adults of legal drinking age.

They also have areas of their winery that are dog-friendly too. See their Visit Us page for more details.

Wofford Acres Vineyards

A representative from Wofford Acre Vineyards replied to my inquiry and informed me that they prefer to not be promoted as family-friendly. So best to save this spot for adult-only outings.

Fans of Wofford Acre Vineyards love the mountain views of the American River, and they welcome photographers during open hours.

Outdoor patio seating with umbrellas for shade at Lava Cap Winery.

Bumgarner Winery & Vineyards

For apple fans Bumgarner Winery has multiple ciders on tap including traditional hard apple cider, a zingy ginger, and dry-hopped cider that resembles beer.

The tasting room is located inside a rustic barn and they do have sprawling grounds with a picnic area. My contact at the Bumgarner Winery has confirmed that they are a family-friendly establishment, so you can feel comfortable brining your children.

High Hill Ranch

High Hill Ranch is both a combo of a winery and family-friendly activities such as hay rides, pumpkin patches and apple picking. At the winery tasting is free, and then it’s $7 for a glass of wine, and bottles range from $17 - $19.

Jack Russell Brewery

At the Jack Russell Brewery they have ample outdoor seating with plenty of shade. It’s located just up the road from the popular Apple Hill family destination Larsen’s Apple Barn. The brewery doesn’t see food, but you can bring your own to enjoy with one of their cold beers, hard apple ciders or meads. Try the seasonal pumpkin spice and apple-spiked ales!

You can see a complete list of places in Apple Hill to pick up lunch here.

I reached out to Jack Russell Brewery via email asking is they welcome children. Sadly I did not get a response, so please call them before you head over with the whole family.

Boeger Winery

Boeger Winery is known for having a beautiful property filled with grand trees and a historical house. They also have a large wine list with no shortage of variety.

Regarding bringing along your children, I reached out multiple times via email and couldn’t get any response. Make sure to call them before bringing your children.

Smokey Ridge Farm

At Smokey Ridge they are working a farm and a boutique winery. Along with the vineyards they have you-pick pumpkins and chestnuts. You can get complimentary wine tastings at their roadside farm stand - varietals and vintages include Syrah, Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Tempranillo and Grenache.

Regarding bringing along your children, I reached out multiple times via email and couldn’t get any response. Make sure to call them before bringing your children.