Napa Valley Wineries that Allow Food
Napa Valley Wineries that allow food. Here are wineries that allow food, and are not as easy to find. There are just a handful of wineries in Napa Valley that have a permit that allows picnicking so we rounded up our top picks for you.
Imagine a gourmet picnic, sipping wine, and sitting among the vineyards in wine country. Nothing quite captures the Napa lifestyle like vineyard views and wine straight from the source. A picnic lunch in Napa Valley is one of the most relaxing ways to enjoy an afternoon in wine country.
Most wineries may require you to make a reservation for a tasting or a picnic table.However, some will only require you to purchase a bottle of their wine. Although not all wineries require this, I would strongly suggest purchasing a bottle of their wine to pair with lunch. Wherever you decide to go, you should call ahead to make sure they have a spot available for you.
Nothing says Napa Valley like a beautiful sunny day sipping a crisp Chardonnay with a vineyard backdrop. Grab your friends, picnic supplies, and head to one of these perfect picnic spots.
Tip: Need picnic supplies? Pick up artisan cheeses, charcuterie, gourmet sandwiches and more picnic supplies at a local market. These are our top picks: Oakville Grocery, Dean & Deluca, Soda Canyon Store, Sunshine Market, and Yountville Deli.
Provenance Vineyards – Rutherford
Enjoy the beautiful Napa Valley weather with a glass of wine in an unforgettable setting. Provenance Vineyards allows you to bring your own food to picnic and is a must stop for a full experience. Provenance Vineyards is centrally located making it an easy addition to your itinerary.
Their outdoor space is a guaranteed fun filled afternoon so you might want to plan to stay awhile. Spread out a picnic on the lawn and enjoy fun lawn games like corn hole, connect four, or giant jenga. Provenance Vineyards has a Rent-A-Picnic program that allows you to enjoy lunch at the vineyard in a unique way. Each picnic pack includes everything you need for the perfect picnic experience. Packs include a tote, cheese board & knife, wine opener, glasses to take home, a rental winery picnic blanket, umbrella and wine chiller.
Picnic tables are first come first served so you will have better luck stopping by on a weekday. You will want reservations for your Rent-A-Picnic as they can sell out, especially on the weekends. Provenance Vineyards is an afternoon you won’t forget!
Tip: Oakville Grocery is just minutes away and has a full deli with a large selection of specialty sandwiches. They also have an extensive cheese and olive bar, and a large variety of locally sourced olive oils and honey.
Frank Family Vineyards – Calistoga
Enjoy your picnic lunch under the elm trees or at the picnic tables at this historic winery. Frank Family is Napa Valley’s original stone winery and has the old school charm to go with it. Enjoy a picnic in the shade in a gorgeous setting and away from the typical wine tasting crowds.
Make a reservation for a tasting and then purchase a bottle to enjoy with your bring your own picnic. This iconic Calistoga winery produces a diverse portfolio of fine wines, including spectacular sparklings all made in-house.
Picnic tables are first come first served so you will have better luck stopping by on a weekday. If you prefer, you can lay out a picnic on the lush grass under the elm trees.
Tip: Stop at Dean and Deluca on your way and indulge in their cheese, olive and dessert bar. They tend to be busy so call ahead if you plan to order from their menu.
Nichelini Winery – St. Helena
Napa Valley’s oldest family-owned winery, Nichelini Winery, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was established in 1890. From the entrance, it appears to be an old, charming house on a country backroad. Once you walk outside you will be in awe of their picnic goer paradise.
Lush picnic area is complete with picnic tables, shady nooks, and a bocce court, providing an ideal picnic setting. Far from the busy Highway 29, you will rarely find it crowded making it a great place to get away.
Nichelini offers bring-your-own picnics with an open wine cellar making it easy to purchase a bottle for your lunch. While you are there be sure to check out the bocce court, and the original 1886 Homestead cabin. Come for wine tasting and stay to play bocce ball and enjoy a picnic.
Tip: Make your own cheese and charcuterie plate or grab a specialty sandwich from Sunshine Market. They also have an olive bar and fresh bread from local bakeries. Top it off with one of their gourmet pastries or chocolates.
Napa Cellars – Oakville
Centrally located in the valley, Napa Cellars is a popular picnic spot that’s easy to add to any itinerary. They have a bring-your-own picnic style and charge $10 per person to use their picnic area. No outside wine is permitted so be sure to purchase a bottle onsite, settle in, and enjoy the view.
Sitting on the original five acres that established Napa Cellars in 1976, Napa Cellars is easily accessible along Highway 29. Napa Cellars is most known for their Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc. However, they also produce Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
Napa Cellars is a great destination winery for an afternoon of fun. The laid-back, relaxed atmosphere will make you want to stay for a while. Their rolling grass lawns have games to play including human size Jenga, corn hole, and more. You will be surrounded by picturesque vineyards and views of the coastal mountains. Enjoy your picnic on their relaxing patio and soak up the wine country ambiance.
Tip: Stop at Oakville Grocery on your way, but plan ahead as they are very popular. They offer a full deli, locally sourced olive oils, and artisan cheeses.
Rutherford Hill Winery – Rutherford
Popular picnic spot in Napa Valley, this winery has one of the best views in the valley. They charge $75 to reserve a table for up to 8 guests, and the fee will be waived with equal or more wine purchase. In addition to the scenery, you will also never find it crowded here because reservations are required.
Take in what is arguably the most spectacular view of Napa Valley from Rutherford Hill Winery’s shady oak grove. You can purchase a variety of wines by the bottle including, Sauvignon Blanc and Malbec to pair with your picnic fare.
Tip: Stop at Yountville Deli (a local favorite!) on the way to get your picnic essentials and a gourmet deli sandwich. This is a popular lunch spot so call ahead to order from their menu.
Charles Krug – St. Helena
Napa’s oldest wine estate and California’s first tasting room is the ultimate wine country destination. They allow you to bring your own picnic on weekdays and offer first come first served lawn space. Purchase of a bottle is required to enjoy their picnic tables.
Onsite deli, Cucina di Rosa, is opened on the weekends and no outside food is permitted. Cucina di Rosa enhances your experience with artisan cheese and charcuterie including house made salumi.
May through October, Charles Krug fires up the outdoor pizza oven creating amazing Italian style pizzas featuring estate grown ingredients. There are plenty of tables outside so pull a chair up and relax by the shaded lawn.
Tip: During the week you will want to pick up picnic essentials at Sunshine Market or Dean and Deluca. If you are visiting on the weekend no outside food is permitted, but you can pick up lunch onsite at Cucina di Rosa.
V. Sattui – St. Helena
Conveniently located right off Hwy 29 in St. Helena, V. Sattui boasts two acres of shaded grass and tables. V. Sattui is always full of life and is easily the most popular among tourists. The winery has an old style Italian deli and an expansive lawn area that makes the perfect picnic combo.
The winery’s Artisan Deli carries everything you could ever want to picnic upon, including sandwiches, panini, pastas, charcuterie, cheeses. On Saturdays and Sundays, V. Sattui hosts big weekend barbecues. They serve Italian-style, thin crust pizzas from their wood-fired oven, tri-tip, and ribs. No outside food is allowed, but you can purchase everything for the perfect picnic at their deli and marketplace.
Guaranteed to be packed during the weekends and high season so plan ahead and get there early. Because it gets busy, you might want to bring a blanket and enjoy the atmosphere while sipping on your favorite wine.
Tip: No outside food is allowed so buy a bottle of your favorite V. Sattui wine and grab a sandwich or a salad from their deli.
Rombauer – Calistoga
Rombauer has a garden picnic area that will captivate you. Pack up your picnic essentials and head here for a relaxing afternoon with some incredible Chardonnay. Start at their tasting room and enjoy the amazing views and purchase a bottle to go.
Several short stone paths near the hospitality center lead down to their gorgeous lush garden. The garden features more than 100 varieties of plants and a collection of artwork, providing a dreamy backdrop. Picnic tables can be found along the garden path and provide a private picnic experience.
Only guests are welcome to picnic here so make sure you purchase a bottle if you plan to picnic and stay. Although Rombauer is famous for their buttery Chardonnay, they also craft Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Sauvignon Blanc. Tables are available on a first come first serve basis so we recommend making an early tasting appointment.
Tip: Pick up your picnic essentials on your way at either Sunshine Market or Dean & Deluca. Choose from a large selection of cheeses, olives, salumi, and specialty sandwiches.
Dutch Henry Winery – Calistoga
Pack a picnic and head to Calistoga’s picturesque picnic location. Dutch Henry Winery is family owned and operated producing premium wine and olive oil. Their scenic property includes a number of fruit trees and vegetable gardens. Known for their olive oil, they also have about 300 olive trees growing on site.
Picnic tables are located on several areas of the property including in the shade of the oaks trees next to the hills. However, the popular tables are located along the bocce ball court among the olive trees and by rows of grapevines.
Certified organic, Dutch Henry Winery produces small-lot reds including Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and grenache. Olive oil tasting is also included. After sampling their wines you are welcome to picnic at their tables on a first come first serve basis. Stay for a while and play some bocce ball and get to know the winery dogs.
Tip: Pick up lunch and picnic supplies from Sunshine Market or Dean and Deluca on your way. To save time, call ahead to order from their deli menu.
Clos du Val – Napa
Located in the famous Stags Leap District, Clos du Val is quintessential Napa Valley. This is probably the most romantic picnic destination in the valley. You can choose to sit on the front lawn overlooking the vineyard or in their Olive Grove.
Guests can purchase their favorite bottle of Clos Du Val wine to reserve a picnic table in one of their picturesque picnic grounds. Clos du Val produces a variety of wines and is most known for Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Pinot Noir.
Spend the afternoon here and enjoy a game of Petanque, the French version of Bocce Ball. If you have your heart set on playing, it’s a good idea to reserve the court ahead of time. Tables and chairs fill up fast too, especially on the weekends, so call ahead to reserve your spot.
Tip: Soda Canyon Store along Silverado Trail is a perfect place to stop before your picnic for a deli sandwich, salad, or box lunch to go.
