If there were any silver linings to the pandemic, one may be that winery owners discovered the outdoors.
Rather than hosting tastings at a bar or in a lounge, more wineries moved the parties out to patios, lawns and terraces. They had to, of course, to stay in business at the time.
But they soon discovered that guests loved it, sipping while soaking up stunning scenery and connecting with the land where the grapes are grown.
Now, some wineries have taken the idea further, expanding their outdoor amenities so sense of place is a vital part of the wine tasting experience. Discover these new alfresco attractions in one-of-a-kind settings.


Cuvaison Winery
Founded in 1969, the secluded, 400-acre Los Carneros property has always been spectacular, anchored by the Tai Vineyard planted primarily with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. More recently, the winery added a 2,500-square-foot, dog-friendly terrace to the tasting room to capture up-close views of grapevines, rugged open space and, in the distance, a sparkling blue reservoir pond.
Now, with the new, open-air boathouse pavilions, you can linger over estate wines right at the water’s edge. Actually, you taste above the water, since the two redwood and steel trimmed cottages are cantilevered over the pond, for a feeling like you’re floating.
Parties of two to six are private — there are just two boathouses — and include a tour of the vineyard and winemaking cellar, barrel and new release tastings, paired with bites like juicy pork tostadas and fancy sliders. As for actually soaring across the water, that’s a BYOB deal — bring your own boat.
1221 Duhig Road, Napa/Los Carneros, 707-942-2455, cuvaison.com


Aesthete Winery & Farm
Debuted this April, the 24-acre property is a natural wonderland, home to a herd of goats and sheep and a hikeable restored creek, as well as a riparian ecosystem that welcomes seasonal steelhead and coho salmon, osprey, red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, blue herons, white cranes, ducks and otters.
You can relax on the farmhouse patio, lawn or picnic tables in a shady grove near the “petting zoo” goats. But the best vantage spot is the by-reservation Creekside Lounge, with its individual, private spaces furnished with Adirondack chairs overlooking the banks of Dry Creek. The open-air retreat is perfect for a bring-your-own picnic, or upscale snacks from the tasting room.
Formerly Truett-Hurst Winery, the estate is now owned and operated by Sonoma County native Jeff Jones, who is working with acclaimed winemaker Jesse Katz to produce signatures like Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé and Pinot Noir.
5610 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-4444, aesthetewines.com

Cline Family Cellars
The Cline Family Cellars tasting room is located on the original site of the San Francisco de Solano mission, which was settled as a camp and later moved to the town of Sonoma. The original mission bell now presides over a garden on the 160-acre estate, amid a landscape of 3,000-plus rose bushes, a pond holding dozens of turtles and carp, and a barn paddock for meet-and-greets with resident donkeys Pudding and Fancy.
Choose from several outdoor options, including a hilltop tasting overlooking the Tolay Lake Regional Park area, a casual pondside picnic, or, my recommendation, the newer private cabana tasting.
The three-sided hideaways are flocked in classy white drapes, and bring comfy banquette seating for up to 8 guests. These are nice perches for people watching, since you’re on the edges of the tasting room, lavish gardens, the grand lawn and the pond.
You customize your cabana retreat, with bottle service and an array of nibbles like cheese and charcuterie plates, or a Wine Country Basket packed with goodies like Brie, Manchego cheese, salami, Italian cheese crackers, cookies and fig jam.
24737 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-940-4044, clinecellars.com


Sterling Vineyards
This impressive, sprawling white winery has held court above Calistoga for 60 years. And, since 1972, guests have marveled at the gondola that (slowly and gently) whisks visitors up the steep northern face of the Mayacamas Mountains.
The grand estate closed after the 2020 Glass Fire, but reemerged three years later, with completely renovated gondolas. The spiffy new ADA compliant rides are much larger and more sleek than the old cabs, with cabins spanning 16 feet tall and with elegant accents like teak seats and tinted glass walls.
I also like that the winery reconfigured the direction of the original gondola trek, so it now offers a longer ride up the northern hillside for even better views. Kudos to the solar power setup, too.
Up top, go for the Hilltop Experience, offering five estate wines that you can only taste at the winery, paired with a local cheese and charcuterie board. And be sure to take time to tour the terraces and gardens after.
1111 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga, 800-726-6136, sterlingvineyards.com