Should children be allowed in wine tasting rooms? They are not allowed to sit at any regular bar legally. They are not legally allowed in casinos. Those places say 21 years and older. A grocery store cannot even allow anyone under 21 years old to handle alcoholic beverages in the store. Yet it is legal for a child or infant to be in a tasting room.

I struggle with this question. I am a parent of a 2 year angel. Every now and again she reminds me that she is in fact 2 years old. My wife and I spent many years traveling the wine road before our daughter was born. On occasion we all go together. On those trips, it is always very different as my wife often takes her outside to walk around, look at sights, etc. Is it right? Am I being selfish?

There was a time in my life when I was not sure children would be part of it. Now I can't imagine life without her. Prior to her birth, I have been in wine tasting rooms and  have seen the occasional child or infant. When my wife and I discussed, we had no idea what to think; good or bad. 

Something thankfully that we have often seen is well behaved parents. Yes, that's right. Just like the dog whisper always says the owner needs training, so do parents, that includes me. In some cases it is not the child acting out but a parent that simply did not get the DVD box set on how to parent with common sense. I did not walk on water these past 2 years as a dad by the way, but I do seek out wisdom from many smarter than I. 

What we have typically seen and appreciated is when a child becomes challenging for whatever reason, that the parent leaves the tasting room with the child. This is called how not to screw it up for everyone else; and thank you for buying those DVD's, good investment!

There are times we have our daughter with a family member so we can go out on the winery trail. It is freeing and much more predictable for our day. When we do this, as a parent I have an understanding for when other people's children can become difficult. However I do not want to hear the screaming, crying, acting out, and whining of any child when I am getting my wine tasting mo-jo for the day. So to all you parents that take your child/children with you, I do not judge you for bringing them. It doesn't bother me in the least. Maybe our kids could go play with each other.

I have to say I am fortunate that most parents I have encountered in the tasting rooms seem to "get it" and walk out with their child. I hope your experiences are similar and I still do not know the answer to this question of it being right or wrong. I do think each family is unique and has differing personalities, behaviors, and values. I do it on occasion, so I guess I lean towards good parenting first, followed by consideration for others. Long way for me to simply say, yeah it's OK with some gray area's, just don't ruin my day or anyone else's for it. Here is an alternative view in quoting a Blunt friend: "Kids don't belong in a tasting room. If they did, there would be a @#$%ing swing set out front." 

You choose which is best and have fun!