Almost a decade ago, when we unveiled our stunning MacRostie Estate House in the idyllic Russian River Valley, we had big dreams. More than just opening another wine country tasting room, we wanted to create a beautiful and welcoming venue that would set a new standard for hospitality in Sonoma County—both as the home to MacRostie and as a home away from home for our customers and club members. Offering a perfect intersection between gracious hospitality, coveted wines, bright, airy architecture, and breathtaking vineyard views, the Estate House quickly earned acclaim as one of wine country’s premier destinations.

In keeping with the welcoming spirit that defines the Estate House, our charming and knowledgeable tasting room hosts are called ambassadors, and they live up to the name. Warm, friendly, and down to earth, they exude an easy-going charm that carries through from the first welcoming sip of wine to the end of each experience. In the simplest terms, our ambassadors are dedicated to creating memorable moments for our guests, while providing a deeper connection to our wines and the vineyards where they are grown.

As a testament to this elevated and unpretentious approach, which we call “attainable luxury,” we are proud to have earned a 4.7-star rating on Yelp and a perfect five-star rating on TripAdvisor, along with countless rave reviews. Just as important, we measure our success by the guests who return again and again, often in the company of friends or family with whom they are eager to share their passion for MacRostie. Because we receive so many repeat visits, we are always striving to keep things fresh, with new tasting experiences, new food pairings, and great seasonal events like our Spring Soirée and our Golden Sunset Series, which features delicious dishes prepared by a different Sonoma County chef each month paired with some of our most sought-after wines. Trust us, watching the sun set behind the mountains from our terrace while eating a freshly made lobster roll and savoring The Key Chardonnay is an experience you don’t want to miss. We have also been thrilled by the response to our Library Vintage Experience, which offers guests the chance to explore pristinely aged wines from our library, each with three to ten years of cellaring, and paired with a delicious sampling of charcuterie from local favorite Journeyman Meat Co.

Located just 10 minutes from the charming town of Healdsburg and surrounded by our idyllic 14-acre Thale’s Estate Vineyard, the Estate House is a perfect four-season destination where guests can relax and unwind in an array of venues. From the elegant openness of our Estate House’s stylish interior to our welcoming terraces and patios, we invite you to discover why San Francisco Magazine named us the “Best Winery in Sonoma.”

Here at MacRostie Winery and Vineyards, we love wine and we love people. That’s why in the 10 years since opening our beautiful MacRostie Estate House near the charming town of Healdsburg we have been hailed as one of “The Ten Most Beautiful Wineries in California” by Condé Nast Traveler, the “Best Tasting Room in Napa and Sonoma” by San Francisco Magazine, and one of The Press Democrat’s “go-to Sonoma County spots to take out-of-town guests.”

While our love for welcoming guests always shines through, we love dogs just as much. Sure, they never buy wine, and we’re not certain that they tell their doggie friends about how much they enjoy visiting MacRostie, but when they’re here at our estate, everything seems even more carefree and fun.

Calling us dog friendly is probably an understatement. We are dog delighted, dog passionate, maybe even a little dog obsessed, which means dogs are always welcome and we treat them like the amazing furry beings they are. From fun doggie merchandise like branded puppy bandanas, personalized dog bowls (for dog regulars) and plush toys shaped like wine bottles, we are ready to host your dog (and you) at MacRostie.

“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring—it was peace.”―Milan Kundera

As dog lovers, we are thrilled with how dog-friendly Sonoma County wine country has become in recent years. From dog and pet-friendly hotels to restaurants and wineries, there are many destinations where you can feel at ease visiting with your canine companion. With National Dog Month just around the corner in August, we’re highlighting a few of our favorites:

Pet-Friendly Hotels

Offering 6 acres of intimate gardens, winding flagstone paths, verdant archways, fire pits and secret nooks, the MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa will delight any dog and their owner, and happily welcomes pets of any size for a fee of $150 per pet. Another popular doggie destination is the The Lodge at Sonoma Resort, which allows 2 pets up to 75 lbs for $150 per stay. Providing an oasis of serenity within walking distance to quaint shops and world-class restaurants at the Sonoma Plaza, the Lodge at Sonoma provides dog beds, water bowls and treats for animal visitors. One of wine country’s most iconic resorts, the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa features a 40,000 square foot oasis set atop an ancient mineral hot spring and offers a variety of spa experiences. While there is no spa for animals, four-legged friends are welcome for $150 per pet, and beds, food and water bowls are provided.

Dog-friendly Restaurants

With beautiful weather and abundant patios, Sonoma County even has dog-friendly restaurants, including HopMonk Tavern, which has locations in both Sonoma and Sebastopol. With expansive biergarten patios and delicious pub fare, the outdoor seating area is great for hanging out with your dog. For a truly deluxe dining experience with your doggie, try Healdsburg’s famed farm-to-table Barndiva Restaurant. One of the fanciest places Rover will ever go, the Michelin-starred restaurant’s lush garden patio welcomes your doggo with water and biscuits. For breakfast or lunch, grab a sidewalk table at Sunflower Caffe in historic Sonoma Plaza. Or, if you’re in the mood for Mexican food, El Molino Central is a dog-friendly Mexican restaurant serving street food to Boyes Hot Springs locals and tourists alike.

Dog-Friendly Wineries and Wine Tastings

In addition to visiting MacRostie, where dogs are always welcome, there are several other nearby Healdsburg wineries where you can also bring your furry friends on leash, including Mauritson Wines, Papapietro Perry Winery and the Sip Sip Lounge at Matrix Winery, where four-legged patrons are welcome to join their parents on the patio seating area.

Wine Country Dog Parks and Trails for Dogs

Once you’ve eaten your fill, savored the best Sonoma County wines, and perhaps even had a spa treatment, it might be time for you and your dog to go for a hike or a walk, and Sonoma County wine country has tons of great options. One of our favorites is Bartholomew Park, where you can walk your leashed dog on a 3-mile trail featuring a duck pond and windmill, mature oaks, madrones, redwoods and beautiful vineyards. With a fully fenced dog park that’s perfect for off-leash play and a half-mile paved trail with picnic tables, Ernie Smith Park in Sonoma is another great spot. We also love Healdsburg’s Riverfront Regional Park, a pet-friendly destination with a redwood grove picnic area, two lakes for water activities, and scenic hiking trails including the 2.18-mile Lake Trail, circling Lake Benoist, and the half-mile Redwood Hill Trail through coast redwood trees.

Dear Friends,

When I joined MacRostie in 2011, we had just seven employees and no Estate House. Back then, Steve and Thale MacRostie would host our team at their home for an annual pre-harvest celebration. Meals always began with a glass of sparkling wine on their patio followed by an intimate seated tasting, and no visit was complete without a tour of Thale’s beautiful garden! The MacRosties made us feel like a member of their family or a dear friend visiting from far away. When we designed the Estate House, we wanted to emulate what Steve and Thale did so flawlessly, including greeting guests with a glass of wine and providing beautiful spaces for people to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

This month marks ten years since we unveiled our stunning Estate House. I remember the excitement when we broke ground, the pride we all felt as we welcomed our first guests, and countless wonderful memories from events over the years. The Estate House changed everything for MacRostie. It gave us our Thale’s Estate Vineyard and a new small-lot winery exclusively for Pinot Noir. Most importantly, it gave us a home to share with our growing community. It made MacRostie more than a name on a label; it became us a place where wine lovers could come and explore our wines and share their passion with like-minded wine enthusiasts.

Thank you for a wonderful decade, and for making the Estate House your home away from home in wine country.

Best Wishes,

HEIDI BRIDENHAGEN

Winemaker – MacRostie Winery and Vineyards