The Wine Road offers so many great wine adventures and fun venues. One thing it does really, really well is provide exceptional picnic settings. Nothing beats wine tasting on a lovely summer day (or any day of the year), and then pausing for a mid-day picnic.
Inviting picnic setting at Hartford Family Winery.
Selecting the Perfect Location
If you aren’t sure who has picnic areas, the Wine Road’s website can guide you, as can the Wine Road’s printed map. On the website, under Wineries, you’ll find the option “Search by Amenities.” Now select “Picnic Facilities” from the Search by Amenities dropdown menu, and press the Search button. You’ll discover there are almost 90 winery picnic options that appear, giving you ample selection no matter where you are along the Wine Road.
Thomas George Estate has many picnic tables. This table comes with its own gazebo.
The size of each winery’s picnic area varies, as do the views and other amenities. Some wineries have bocce courts, so after lunch you can enjoy a game of bocce before resuming your tasting tour. Most wineries have views of vineyards, gardens, or both. Some wineries are at higher elevation, so you can picnic while enjoying panoramic views.
Wonderful vineyard view from the Wilson Winery picnic deck.
If you prefer to have someone else pack your lunch, and then enjoy it in one of the many wineries along the Wine Road, that can happen, too. There are many delis and take-out options in the local towns and villages dotting Northern Sonoma County. Some wineries have deli cases where you can purchase cheese, charcuterie, crackers, chocolates, and more. Your picnic fare can be simple, creative, or elaborate. You’re in control of it all.
DeLoach Vineyards offers grab-and-go picnic options from their cooler case in the tasting room.
Don’t Forget the Picnic Wine!
To complete your picnic experience, don’t forget to explore the wine options as well. Wineries along the Wine Road will sell and open a bottle of wine for your lunch, and might also loan their tasting glasses if you didn’t bring your own. Some wineries also sell wines by the glass, so if each person wants a different wine while noshing, that is possible, too.
With so many options to choose from, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect picnic venue that fits your needs and wine tasting path.
Happy Sipping!
