LindainFL

Hi,

As part of our Wine country experience we want to have a picnic lunch on the grounds of a winery. We want to be mesmerized by the scenery and have a nice relaxing lunch.

Where can we do this?

Where can we buy the the lunch?

Thanks,
Linda

jamesr3939

Sterling which has a tram that takes you up to the top of the hills and over looks the valley.

StuDudley

Does Sterling allow picnics???

There aren't many wineries that allow picnics on their grounds in the Napa Valley. V Sattui does, but it's often packed, and doesn't seem like pleasant setting to me. Clos Pegase is OK. Rutherford Hill is nice - but a little rustic.

Lots of them do in Sonoma Co. Lambert Bridge is quite nice - so is Preston, Rochioli, and Hop Kiln.

Stu Dudley

jamesr3939

It has been awhile since we were ther but I seem to recall they had food available for purchase.

You can check www.sterlingvineyards.com

StuDudley

There's no mention of a picnic spot on their web site. I don't recall any picnic area when we've visited (Best Man in our wedding lives adjacent to the winery). My Wine Spectator Wine Country Guide does not say they have picnic facilities. It does mention it for other wineries.

If I were the OP - I wouldn't count on it unless I gave them a call to make certain. Great winery to visit, however. Spectacular views.

Stu Dudley

WannabeinaMontserrat

Ledson (+ they have a small deli shop, you can buy everything you need right there) & Ferrari-Carrano, but I don't know if you can picnic there (?).

WannabeinaMontserrat

I'd go to Preston just for the bread, but you have to go early...

razzledazzle

Mesmerizing views

In Napa:
Diamond Oaks Winery-just off Hwy 29
up the Oakville Grade. nearly at the intersection of Hwy 29 &
the Oakville Grade is the Oakville Grocery where you can buy your lunch.

In Sonoma County:
Armida Winery up in the Dry Creek area-buy your lunch at the Dry Creek General Store.

R5

andrew8

My wife and I visited Sterling vineyards on a beautiful clear day. As other have stated, the views are beautiful.

Otis_B_Driftwood

I posted these links last year when the SF Chronicle surveyed the best places to picnic in the wine country. They should still be pretty current.

For Napa -

http://tinyurl.com/62l4n8

For Sonoma -

http://tinyurl.com/5llp5j


There's a lot of other recommendations for picnicing in the Bay Area at sfgate.com. Just do a search for picnics.

mabella101

I second the vote for Lambert Bridge in Sonoma. They have a few items available for purchase, but you'd do best to take your own picnic.

LindainFL

Hi,

Thanks for tips and the great articles.

Have not nailed down the one we will picnic at yet however, we plan to visit:

Ferrari - Cerano
Jordan Winery
Alexander Valley Vineyards
viansa Winery
Franciscan Oakville Estate
Domaie Carneros

Again, I appreciate all the help.

Linda

nini

Try Viansa in Sonoma. Their food is awesome and they have picnic tables under arbors--very pretty setting--reminds one of Tuscany.

NeoPatrick

I had to dig in my journal to find where we did a wonderful picnic when an extended family group of about 15 of us did a private bus winery trip up from Saratoga. It was the above mentioned Lambert Bridge. Great place.

Since I assume you're doing some invitation only ones (like Jordan), I'd highly recommend visiting Raffanelli!

Bill44

Hess Vineyard. Nice art gallery also.

jnjfraz

We just returned from 3 weeks in Sonoma and Napa. We don't picnic often but my husband wrote great overviews on the 39 wineries we visited. If you're interested they are on our web site: vinorossoidaho.com