Loudoun County winery offering a dog-friendly patio
We got a special treat on National Puppy Day when we discovered Walsh Family Wine, a dog-friendly winery in Northern Virginia and the newest in Loudoun County. We learned about its grand opening a week prior on the Loudoun Wineries Association Instagram page and reached out to learn the pet policy. Pups are allowed on the patio, just not in the tasting room. More on that later.
Our visit was short as we were actually on our way back to Rt 7 to head home. But when we spotted their sign on Hillsboro Rd as we passed by, we had to turn around and check it out. So glad we did! First, they did take over the previous North Gate Winery location. We received several questions about that on our own social media posts, so wanted to clarify that here. But they went above and beyond to make the space their own.
The Tasting Room
We usually don’t comment on aesthetics as our focus is the feasibility of including your dog. But we addressed them making the space their own so we’ll touch on that a bit. When we walked in the first word that came to mind was “fresh”. There were fresh flowers, ferns and several other plants and it felt light and airy. We loved their use of color, prints and flowers and how they provided a posh yet comfortable setting in which to enjoy your wine. Also, the glass of rosé as we waited for our tasting was a nice touch. Attentive customer service is not lost on me. Neither is the soppressata or chips included with the tasting. We did enjoy the wine, actually ordered a glass of the Viognier which is rare as we usually lean towards reds. If you want to sip beautiful wine surrounded by beautiful things, check this place out. Now on to the dogs.
Dog-Friendly Patio
The patio has a few dozen tables for four, which should be nice come the Spring/Summer wine tasting frenzy. There is also a fireplace and sofa seating area (the covered portion in the photo below). I can totally picture sitting on the couch, enjoying the fresh air, glass in hand and Rummy at my feet. On the day we visited there was no covering over the tables, as it was still a cooler Spring day. But we did check with WFW and they assured us they will have the “sail” type coverings over the tables for shade once warmer weather arrives. And the fireplace area is completely covered, so you won’t be baking in the sun.
& Lawn
They were still preparing their outdoor space during our visit, but we did notice some fire pits and raised garden beds. I ended up chatting with Sarah and learned about some of their plans–they will soon begin clearing a path through the pine grove which should make for a nice stroll with your pup (or significant other/kids/whatever makes you smile). And swings. Everyone likes swings! She also mentioned that they’re working on a few other amenities to make your pup comfortable, so we look forward to seeing what they put together!
3 Pups
We give Walsh Family Wine 3 Pups for variety of seating, space between the tables so dogs aren’t crowded and shade. Our rating is purely based on how easy it is to include your dog, so it’s hard not giving a place like this 5. If you’re tasting without your pup, you definitely do not want to miss this one. We’re excited to see how their outdoor space evolves into an even more inviting space for pups and their people!
Looking for more wine tasting with your pup? Visit our Wineries page where you can sort by location and amenities for your pup!