The Pool at Francis Ford Coppola Winery Is Now Open

This year, there are some changes you need to be aware of before you pack your swimsuit and head to the winery.


The calendar may say it’s still spring, but as far as temperatures go, summer is already in full swing in Sonoma wine country. After a few days of record heat, we are ready to cool down poolside with a glass of rosé and a good book.

There are plenty of pools and swimming holes in Sonoma and Napa. One of the most popular places to take a dip — and sip wine — is Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville. The pool opened for the summer season on June 15 and will welcome visitors until October 4 (it reopens for the fall season on October 9).

This year, there are some changes you need to be aware of before you pack your swimsuit and head to the famous movie director’s winery. Access to the sparkling 3,600 square-foot pool is only available with a cabine reservation. Similar to cabanas, cabines are European-style changing rooms with private showers and towels. Cabine reservations (starting at $220) provide pool access for four people. To ensure social distancing, chaise lounge chairs are being assigned to guests. Individual pool passes are not available this season.

(Pro-tip from one of our readers if you can’t get a reservation: “They typically have cancellations each week; if you have the flexibility to be spontaneous, check the reservations first thing in the morning on a Monday and you may be able to snatch a cancellation for that week.”)

Swimmers and sunbathers at Francis Ford Coppola Winery can dry off and play bocce ball, dine at the Pool Café or Rustic restaurant and head inside the winery to visit the tasting room (reservations recommended) or check out Coppola’s collection of movie memorabilia. Face masks must be worn as guests move around the property. Masks are not required when seated in a lounge chair or when in the water.

Pool House wines from Francis Ford Coppola Winery. (Courtesy photo)

To further enhance your summertime experience, Francis Ford Coppola Winery has launched a new series of low-alcohol wines, Pool House, available poolside and for shipping via the winery’s website. The wines were inspired by the pool at the winery, where guests often request session wines to enjoy during daytime visits.

“We created Pool House wines to be full-flavored first, with the added benefit of lower calories, sugar and alcohol,” said Corey Beck, Winemaking Chief for Francis Ford Coppola Winery. “A lot went into the vineyard selection to make this possible, and we’re thrilled to share the final product in time for the summer season.”

The Pool House range, available in 12 oz cans and 750 ml bottles, includes a sauvignon blanc, a rosé, a pinot noir and a brut rosé.

The Francis Ford Coppola Winery pool is open daily, now through October 4, 2021. From October 9 through October 24, the pool will be open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Pool hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, 707-857-1471, thefamilycoppola.com.

There are other great pools in Sonoma County to help you stay cool. Click through the above gallery to find out where you can take a dip this summer. We recommend you call each pool before making plans — hours and regulations are changing by the day.