A-tisket, a-tasket, can you bring your own picnic basket to a Sonoma County winery?
That depends.
Since reservations are required to taste wine at most local wineries, appointments must also be made for picnicking on site. This means winery picnickers will have a formal start and finish time, with appointments generally lasting 90 minutes.
While the time may be limited, the experience is not. Picnicking at Sonoma wineries has become a more focused and engaging experience thanks, backhandedly, to the pandemic. Many producers have upgraded their picnic areas with fashionable seating, umbrellas, views of creeks and rivers and, most notably, by offering lunches and snacks to those who didn’t have time to pack a basket.
Here is a sampling of Sonoma County wineries that welcome picnickers, divided into two groups: those that allow guests to bring their own food to accompany paid-for tastings and those that provide fare to accompany the wines purchased. In all cases, call ahead or visit websites to learn about picnic options and policies, and remember to make reservations.
BYOB — Bring your own basket
Aesthete Winery & Farm
Located at the former Truett Hurst tasting room (which is now downtown), Aesthete offers a Creekside Tasting on tranquil patios along Dry Creek, featuring the familiar Adirondack chairs. Guests can bring their own picnic to enjoy with estate wines, and additional snacks are available for purchase in the tasting room. Each of the nine seating areas can accommodate parties of up to six people. Guests can also reserve a picnic table in a shaded area near the winery’s farm animals — a fun treat for families with children. There are five picnic tables with seating for up to eight per table. Each reservation is for 2 hours. Reserve on Tock. 5610 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-4444, aesthetewines.com
Preston Farm & Winery
In addition to its Rhone-style Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc, Preston’s biodynamic farm yields an impressive collection of grains, livestock and fruit trees (including 1,500 olive trees), making it a natural picnic spot. Bring your own picnic provisions (plus supplies and cutlery) or purchase seasonal produce from the farm store to enjoy under the shady walnut trees on the picnic grounds. Guests can reserve a picnic table for up to two hours, available Thursday through Tuesday. A bottle purchase is required for picnic reservations. Reserve on Tock. 9282 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-3372, prestonfarmandwinery.com
Seghesio Family Vineyards
At this historic Italian winery, guests can bring their own picnic lunch to the estate’s arbored grove to pair with estate wines. After a relaxing picnic in the wine garden, head over to the winery’s bocce courts for a game or two between sips of celebrated Zinfandel. Picnics in the grove are available on a first-come, first-served basis from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. A purchase of a bottle or wine by the glass is required. 700 Grove St., Healdsburg, 707-433-3579, seghesio.com
Dutcher Crossing Winery
Debra Mathy’s dog-friendly winery sells cheese and charcuterie boards to accompany guests’ own lunch baskets, allowed with most tastings by appointment. The grounds are gorgeous and welcoming, the vibe rustic and calming and the wines excellent and fairly priced, sourced from the estate and top-notch vineyards including Stuhlmuller, Bacigalupi, Terra de Promissio and Maple. From Chardonnay to Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir to Zinfandel and Syrah to Petite Sirah, the range is broad and impressive. Reserve online. 8533 Dry Creek Road, Geyserville, 707-431-2700, dutchercrossingwinery.com
BYOP — Buy your own picnic
Cline Family Cellars
How do you elevate a picnic-themed wine experience? Turn the de rigueur table into a private cabana. Cline features light-filled and airy cabanas near its Great Lawn, each accommodating up to eight guests for a 2-hour stay. A chilled bottle of Mourvèdre rosé awaits, as well as an add-on “picnic” basket of provisions, including salami, cheeses, nuts and crackers. A host assigned to each cabana takes and delivers additional bottle orders, and parking is available in a VIP lot. For a more relaxed experience, Cline also offers a Pondside Picnic featuring a seasonal cheese and charcuterie board or a curated Wine Country picnic basket. Reserve on Tock. 24737 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-940-4044, clinecellars.com
Robledo Family Winery
Feel transported to a small Mexican village by visiting this Sonoma Carneros winery for tastings, bottle purchases and picnic provisions. Hand-carved furniture imported from Michoacán, earthen pots, rustic stone-tile flooring and wrought-iron chandeliers reflect the birthplace of Reynaldo Robledo, who, with his family, opened the first wine tasting room in the U.S. by a migrant worker from Mexico, in 2003. The Robledos grow grapes in Sonoma, Napa and Lake counties and their Sauvignon Blancs, Chardonnays, Tempranillos and Cabernet Sauvignons are made predominantly from estate-grown grapes. Savor them with a selection of cheeses, salami and crackers available for purchase. Reserve on CellarPass. 21901 Bonness Road, Sonoma, 707-939-6903, robledofamilywinery.com
Landmark Vineyards
Picnicking has long been a feature of this Chardonnay and Pinot Noir producer’s menu of options for visitors. The Kenwood setting is gorgeous with a patio and fountain surrounded by gardens and an expansive lawn. The Exclusive Wine Tasting Experience ($65) features a selection of estate wines with optional add-on food pairings, including cheese, handmade chocolates and gourmet popcorn. A Bocce Ball & Wine Experience ($60) pairs a rousing game of bocce with a glass of your favorite wine and a curated cheese and charcuterie board. Reserve on Tock. 101 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood, 707-833-0218, landmarkwine.com
Ledson Winery
While the gothic French Normandy castle at this winery is a sight to see inside and out, the outdoor patio in a serene oak grove with shaded tables is your best bet for a picturesque picnic. Ledson Winery has a gourmet marketplace to provide all your lunch provisions, including olive oils, dessert sauces and sandwiches, like the harvest turkey with cranberry sauce — which pairs well with a glass of Pinot Noir. 7335 Highway 12, Kenwood, 707-537-3810, ledson.com
Notre Vue Estate
This eastern Russian River Valley wine estate produces two brands, Notre Vue (“our view”) and Balverne, the latter an abandoned brand revitalized by owners Bob and Renee Stein. Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and rosés made from Pinot Noir and Rhone-variety grapes are among the stellar wines made here, and they’re great mates for sipping during the Terrace Lunch — a gourmet sandwich, seasonal salad, chips and a dessert. The lunch is served on the terrace overlooking estate vineyards and cooled by Russian River breezes. The 250 acres of estate vineyards span the Russian River Valley and Chalk Hill appellations; another 350 acres are dedicated to Forever Wild open space. Reserve on CellarPass. 11010 Estate Lane, Windsor, 707-433-4050, notrevueestate.com
Bricoleur Vineyards
The Essentials Picnic at Bricoleur features a chic red wagon to explore the estate with — and it can carry the provided deluxe wicker basket full of local and estate-grown delights. The picnic includes a chilled glass of wine for each guest, and lunch can be made gluten-free, vegan or vegetarian with advance notice. Plus, Bricoleur is dog-friendly and there’s plenty of open space for kids to play. Reserve on Tock. 7394 Starr Road, Windsor, 707-857-5700, bricoleurvineyards.com
Hanna Winery Alexander Valley
Hanna’s Picnic Under the Big Oak Tree ($75) on the estate includes a gourmet lunch and a tasting flight of five wines. Additional bottles can be purchased at a 10% discount. Owner Christine Hanna is an excellent chef and author of “The Winemaker Cooks” cookbook. The lunch is guaranteed to be delicious, as are Hanna’s Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignons. Reserve on Tock. 9280 Highway 128, Healdsburg, 707-431-4310, ext. 116, hannawinery.com
Dry Creek Vineyard
Lined with flowers and tall trees, this winery’s grassy picnic area is a beautiful place to pair summer snacks with a wine tasting flight. From April through September, guests can reserve the Wine Flight & Picnic Lunch ($65), which includes a seasonal menu and curated flight of limited-production wines. And throughout the year, guests can purchase a charcuterie add-on ($30) during booking to accompany their tasting. Charcuterie plates include locally sourced fare like Point Reyes cheese and Journeyman Meat Co. salumi. Reserve on Tock. 3770 Lambert Bridge Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-1000, drycreekvineyard.com
Korbel Champagne Cellars
A winery, rose garden, market and delicatessen rolled into one, historic Korbel has everything you need for a Wine Country picnic. Enjoy complimentary tours and wine tastings followed by a gourmet picnic on the patio shaded by redwood trees. Don’t bother bringing your own picnic provisions; Korbel’s deli offers fresh salads, cheese and charcuterie, along with hand-crafted sandwiches. Try the Winemaker with roasted turkey and cranberry chutney or the ever-popular Legacy with grilled tri-tip, gorgonzola and chimichurri. 13250 River Road, Guerneville, 707-824-7000, korbel.com