20 Best Wineries for a Picnic in Napa Valley
When I started planning my very first trip to Napa Valley, I thought a scenic picnic among the vineyards would be the perfect way to spend the day. But here’s what came to my surprise: most wineries don’t allow you to picnic in Napa Valley and they either don’t allow outside food or don’t serve food at all!
It turns out wineries need special permits to let guests bring or buy food on-site, which makes finding picnic-friendly wineries in Napa Valley much harder than you’d expect.
And skipping lunch while wine tasting? Trust me, that’s a mistake you only make once. You’ll need something hearty between sips, or your wine country adventure might wrap up much earlier than you planned.
That’s why discovering wineries that actually welcome picnics is such a game-changer. These spots let you soak in beautiful vineyard views while enjoying a fresh, relaxed lunch.
As a first-time visitor, I remember how overwhelming it was to figure all this out. So instead of spending hours Googling, I’ve done the research for you.
Below, you’ll find my carefully curated list of the 20 best wineries for a picnic in Napa —featuring hidden gems, incredible views, and a few of my personal favorites I go back to again and again. And everything you need to know before planning a picnic lunch in Napa.
💸 Bonus: Some of these wineries also offer 2 for 1 tastings with the Priority Pass. So you can even save a little money too.
20 Best Wineries For a Napa Valley Picnic
I’ve often struggled to find the perfect winery to book during lunch, especially one that’s also affordable. I’ve noticed that the resources out there are a bit outdated, and some wineries have recently updated their policies to only allow club members to bring a picnic.
The list below is current, I’ve either personally contacted these wineries, visited them myself, or confirmed their outside food policy directly on their website.
Sherwin Family Vineyards
Sherwin Family Vineyards is the epitome of a family-owned boutique winery. The moment you arrive, it feels like you’re visiting old friends, it’s relaxed, welcoming, and incredibly charming.
Perched at the top of Spring Mountain, their outdoor patio offers unbeatable views of the surrounding vineyards and lake. Sip on a glass of wine while you enjoy a tasty picnic lunch on the deck.
📍Spring Mountain, Budget: $$ Book your experience here
🍷 Wine Gal Tip: Uber will not pick you up on Spring Mountain. You will need to either drive yourself, or hire a driver.
Pestoni Family Estate Winery
I’m so glad I discovered this winery through the Priority Wine Pass! I recently visited Pestoni with my family and was able to enjoy one free tasting thanks to Priority Wine Pass’s popular 2-for-1 tasting deal.
Their picnic tasting was super casual and self-paced, we relaxed at a shaded picnic table on the soft green grass, sipped wine, and enjoyed our lunch.
Between tastings, we strolled through their fragrant gardens and took in the beautiful vineyard views. It was the perfect, easygoing wine country afternoon.
📍St. Helena, Dog Friendly, Family Friendly, Budget: $ Book the experience here
✅ Get 2 for 1 tastings & more discounts with the Priority Wine Pass here
Frank Family Vineyards
Visit Frank Family Vineyards for some laid-back charm, a touch of history, and an amazing Napa Chardonnay. The grounds here are absolutely stunning, book an outdoor tasting on their cozy patio and soak in the sweeping views.
While outside food isn’t allowed during your tasting, you’re welcome to enjoy a picnic in their designated area before or after your visit.
📍Calistoga, Budget: $ Book your experience here
Pride Mountain
Nestled along Spring Mountain, Pride Mountain features stunning panoramic views of Mount St. Helena and endless vineyard-covered hills. The tasting includes an informative tour of their wine caves.
After your tasting, grab a seat on one of their outdoor benches and soak in the sweeping views with a picnic.
📍Spring Mountain, Dog Friendly, Family Friendly, Budget: $ Book your experience here
Tres Sabores Winery
Tres Sabores is such a special place, and one of my favorite hidden gems in Napa. Our tasting here felt so relaxed and intimate, it was set on a quiet dirt patio tucked among the vineyards. The property is full of charm, with olive and lemon trees, and even friendly animals like ranch’s Golden Retrievers and goats.
You can enjoy your picnic alongside your tasting. However, you do need to give them advanced notice. They’ll supply ecofriendly picnic supplies and it’s an additional $20 picnic fee.
📍St. Helena, Dog Friendly, Family Friendly, Budget: $ Book your experience here
Keenan Winery
Such a hidden gem nestled along Spring Mountain. It’s a small family owned and operated winery. Their tastings are very generous, where you can taste up to nine of their wines.
Bring a picnic and sit at one of their outdoor tables with a bottle of wine and enjoy the gorgeous view overlooking their vineyards.
📍Spring Mountain, Dog Friendly, Family Friendly, Budget: $ Book your experience here
Saddleback Cellars
A very affordable and casual wine tasting that is off the beaten path in the heart of Napa Valley. The small production winery will make you feel at home immediately with its freindly staff and adorable winery pup.
Sit right next to the vineyards and have your lunch at their picnic tables that are shaded under sprawling Sycamore trees.
📍Oakville, Dog Friendly, Family Friendly, Budget: $ Book your experience here
Rombauer Vineyards
Rombauer is the perfect winery to plan around lunch. Order a glass of wine or a bottle to share with the table and relax in their lush gardens. Enjoy your yummy picnic while taking in their spectacular views of the valley and Maycamas Mountains.
Rombauer offers tastings as well, but if you want to picnic, just make sure its a reservation for an outside experience.
📍St. Helena, Dog Friendly, Family Friendly, Budget: $ Book your experience here
Laird Family Estate
Laird Family Estate is the perfect casual, laid-back spot to grab a glass of wine or do a tasting around lunchtime. You’re welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy alongside your wine tasting or a bottle of Laird wine on their cement patios or spacious lawn. The views are absolutely gorgeous!
If you want to add to your picnic, they also have a selection of bites from a chaucterie board to cheese plate, wildflower honeycomb, and other snacks.
📍Napa, Dog Friendly, Family Friendly, Budget: $ Book your experience here
Backstage Winery
Backstage Winery is a wonderful family-owned boutique winery with Tuscan villa vibes. To have a picnic lunch here, book the Picnic Beside the Vineyards reservation and enjoy with a bottle of one of their wines while soaking in vineyards views. It’s also a great option for large groups.
📍Napa, Dog Friendly, Family Friendly, Budget: $ Book your experience here
✅ Backstage also offers a 2 for 1 tasting with the Priority Wine Pass
Black Stallion Winery
Just a short drive from downtown Napa, Black Stallion Winery sits on the grounds of a former equestrian center. The property is beautiful, with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
You can enjoy your picnic lunch tucked away in Black Stallion’s lovely garden area. The garden picnic tables offer a casual, no-host experience where you can order a glass or bottle of wine to enjoy. It’s not a formal tasting, there’s just a $25 per person minimum wine purchase required.
📍Napa, Dog Friendly, Family Friendly, Budget: $ Book your experience here
Napa Cellars
A visit to Napa Cellars is a serene and refreshing addition to your Napa itinerary. The tasting experience is relaxed and casual, held outdoors at shaded picnic tables in their lush gardens, right next to the vineyards. Between sips and bites of your lunch, you can enjoy fun outdoor games like cornhole.
They also sell local cheeses, jams, and oils. And, it’s a fantastic spot if you’re traveling with your pup, they’re very dog-friendly and even offer a special Pampered Pup experience!
📍Oakville, Dog Friendly, Family Friendly, Budget: $ Book your experience here
✅ Get a 2 for 1 tasting with the Priority Wine Pass at Napa Cellars
Honig Vineyard & Winery
Honig Vineyard & Winery is a small, family-owned gem tucked away in Rutherford. They’re known for producing one of the best Sauvignon Blancs in the region, bursting with juicy flavors of peaches, nectarines, and honeysuckle.
The winery has a lovely outdoor area with 5 or 6 shaded picnic tables, available on a first come, first served basis. It’s the perfect spot to kick back, soak in the beautiful vineyard views, and enjoy a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
📍Rutherford, Dog Friendly, Family Friendly, Budget: $ Book your experience here
Benessere Vineyards
For a down to earth yet elevated tasting experience, head to Benessere Vineyards, a small, family-owned boutique winery that brings a unique twist to Napa Valley wine. They specialize in crafting exceptional Italian varietals, a rare find in this region.
You can enjoy your picnic and unwind on their outdoor space that overlooks the serene Napa River and their lush vineyards. The picnic experience is available for a small additional fee to complement your tasting.
📍St. Helena, Dog Friendly, Family Friendly, Budget: $ Book your experience here
You can enjoy a 2 for 1 tasting at Benessere Vineyards during the week with your wine pass
Hudson Napa Valley
You could easily spend the whole day tasting and exploring at Hudson Napa Valley. Before your private tasting, you can add on a scenic hike with vineyard and bay views along their 3- to 5-mile trail.
After working up an appetite, enjoy your picnic lunch at their designated picnic tables. This is an optional add-on to your tasting and costs an additional $50 to reserve the table for up to one hour.
📍Carneros, Budget: $$ Book your experience here
Hagafen Cellars
Hagafen Cellars is a family-owned winery nestled along the Silverado Trail. It’s cozy and casual, yet still elegant, with beautiful gardens and yard games. What also makes it unique in Napa is that it’s a Kosher winery, the first one in California, and also a rare find in the region.
It’s not listed on their website, but you can picnic here. Just be sure to mention it when booking your appointment.
📍Napa, Dog Friendly, Family Friendly, Budget: $ Book your experience here
Laura Michael Winery
Tastings at Laura Michael Winery are typically hosted by Laura herself, the owner and winemaker, which makes for such a fun and unique opportunity to really get to know the wines and hear their stories firsthand.
This small boutique winery produces limited quantities, so visiting in person is often the only way to get your hands on their wines. Be sure to contact them in advance to schedule an appointment.
📍Calistoga, Budget: $ Book your experience here
Envy Wines
Settle in with a bottle of Envy Wine and your own picnic lunch on their peaceful, sun-drenched patio. The vibe here is laid-back, warm, and incredibly welcoming, perfect for a relaxed afternoon.
As a fun bonus, you might even catch a glimpse of Calistoga’s famous Old Faithful Geyser from the backyard.
📍Calistoga, Dog Friendly, Family Friendly, Budget: $ Book your experience here
✅Snag a 2 for 1 Envy Wine tasting anytime BEFORE noon with your Priority Wine Pass
Madonna Estate
A family owned winery since 1922, the second oldest winemaking family in the Napa Valley. Madonna Estate is located in the Carneros, and even after all of these years, still offers a very affordable wine tastings. And you can even get your tastings waived with a purchase of a bottle (not many places still do this).
Another thing that sets Madonna Estate apart is their commitment to organic farming. Their grapes are organically grown and dry-farmed, certified by CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers). Before or after your tasting, you can relax and enjoy lunch in their picnic area.
📍Carneros, Dog Friendly, Family Friendly, Budget: $ Book your experience here
Nichelini Family Winery
Located a little off the beaten path in the St. Helena Hills, Nichelini Family Winery is the oldest family owned winery in the Napa Valley.
The winery is rustic and casual, but so much rich history and intersting stories to share during this tasting. You’re welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy it on their relaxed outdoor patio.
📍St. Helena, Dog Friendly, Family Friendly, Budget: $ Book your experience here
Vincent Arroyo Winery
Another hidden gem on this list is Vincent Arroyo Winery in Calistoga. Known for its popular Petite Sirah, this winery offers an authentic tasting experience and genuinely warm hospitality. The tour is informative and gives a great overview of the winery’s history and winemaking process.
You can enjoy your picnic lunch before or after your tasting in their beautiful rose garden picnic area.
📍Calistoga, Budget: $ Book your experience here
Pine Ridge Vineyards
Relax and soak in the views in Pine Ridge’s garden with a bottle of wine at one of their picnic tables overlooking their rolling vineyards. It’s a no host self paced experience that is also kid and dog friendly. Make sure that you book the Garden View Seating.
If you have time, book a wine tasting that tours their wine caves. They have a really cool European-inspired caves, and the tour is informative and semi private.
📍Napa, Dog Friendly, Family Friendly, Budget: $ Book your experience here
Where to Buy Picnic Supplies in Napa Valley
On the hunt for the perfect picnic provisions? These are my go-to spots throughout Napa Valley, trust me, you can’t go wrong with any of them.
Downtown Napa
Oxbow Public Market: Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa is a great stop for picnic supplies, with plenty of delicious options. We grabbed pizza and sandwiches from Loveski, so yummy! The handmade oat bread was super soft and generously filled.
The Fatted Calf: Next door to Oxbow, another favorite of mine, a high-end butcher with amazing sandwiches.
Yountville
Oakville Grocery: A must visit spot in Napa, this bustling market has everything for a great picnic, wood-fired pizza, sandwiches, salads, and artisan cheeses. It’s a popular weekend spot, so expect crowds.
St Helena
Station: Great local spot in downtown St. Helena, they have an awesome lunch menu of sandwiches, NY style pizza by the slice, and salads.
Giugni’s Deli: A Napa Valley staple since 1911. It’s our go-to spot for picnic supplies, serving up fresh, delicious sandwiches with generous portions of meat.
Sunshine Foods Market: A local gem in St. Helena, this small grocery store offers grab-and-go sandwiches, soups, salads, baked goods, snacks, and a great cheese selection. They also have a deli with made-to-order sandwiches and a hot food menu available Monday through Friday.
Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufacturing Co: This family-owned shop offers authentic Italian goods like freshly baked bread, salami, pasta, and prosciutto perfect for a picnic. If you have the extra time peruse the shop and taste their local infused olive oils.
Calistoga Depot: Has a Provisions & Deli where you can grab some yummy apps, paninis, salads, woodfired pizzas, or coffee to go. They also have two really cool refurbished train cars next door, where you can pop in for some handcrafted artisan chocolates.
🍷 Wine Gal Tip: Visiting on a busy weekend or short on time? Many spots, like Oakville Grocery, accept online orders. Ordering ahead can save you long wait times, especially at lunch.
Napa Valley Wineries That Serve Food
You’ll find that some wineries, offer cheese or charcuterie plates you can snack on during your tasting. Below I have listed wineries that offer more substantial food options that could count as lunch.
🍷 Wine Gal Tip: For a more elevated experience, I highly recommend adding a food and wine pairing to your itinerary—Davis Estates and B Cellars are both excellent.
Clif Family Bruschetteria: A food truck serving creative and delicious bruschetta, sides, and salads. Grab a bottle or glass from their tasting room and enjoy it all on the charming patio.
V. Sattui: They have a great on-site artisan deli with paninis, salads, pastas, and other specialties, plus a large shaded picnic area and indoor seating in the underground Barrel Room for rainy days. No reservations are offered for the picnic tables, but it can get crowded on weekends.
Piazza Del Dotto: Book their famous Cave and Barrel Experience, where you’ll tour stunning marble caves, taste wine thieved straight from the barrel, and enjoy delicious house-made pizza in their gardens.
Tamber Bey Winery: Add on a picnic lunch to your Tamber Bey tasting. The tasty lunch is prepared by Sam’s General Store in Calistoga and includes a salad or sandwich of your choice, chips, cookie, and a glass of wine.
Charles Krug Winery: This historic winery offers a various selection of Neapolitan style Wood-Fired Pizzas, every Thursday through Sunday that you can pair with your wine tasting, a glass of wine or bottle to share.
Best Parks to Picnic
If you have extra time between tastings and your wineries don’t allow outside food, here are some great (and free), easy-to-access parks in Napa Valley with picnic tables.
For parks with hiking trails and picnic areas, check out Skyline Wilderness Park, Alston Park, and Bothe-Napa Valley State Park.
Downtown Napa
- Fuller Park: Lots of green open space and walking trails, picnic tables, and a playground if you’re traveling with little ones.
- Oxbow Market: Not a park, but there is a ton of parking and outdoor seating overlooking the Napa River. You can grab food from the market or nearby and bring it to their patio. Afterwards take a walk on the path along the Napa River.
Yountville:
- Veterans Memorial Park: Located at the south end of downtown Yountville, this grassy park offers shaded picnic tables, restrooms, and games like sand volleyball, bocce ball, chess, and checkers. Tip: Perfect spot to enjoy the famous fried chicken from Addendum.
- Yountville Community Park: At the other end of town, this large grassy park has plenty of picnic tables, open space, a playground, and restrooms—perfect for a family-friendly picnic.
St. Helena:
- Crane Park: This spacious 12-acre park is just a 5-minute drive from downtown St. Helena, with plenty of picnic tables, restrooms, playgrounds, bocce and volleyball courts, and room to explore. It’s also home to the St. Helena Farmers Market.
- Lyman Park: Pick up your lunch downtown and head right to Lyman Park, its located smack dab in the middle of town. It’s a small park with some picnic tables, grassy areas, a historic gazebo, play area, and restroom.
Calistoga:
- Pioneer Park: Located a short walk from downtown Calistoga, it’s a small park with a few picnic tables, playground and restrooms.
Quick Tips for Planning Your Napa Valley Picnic
The best time for a picnic in Napa is April through November when the weather is warm and sunny since most picnic areas are outdoors. December through February are Napa’s rainy, colder months, so it’s not ideal for outdoor picnicking. March can be hit or miss with rain.
If rain is in the forecast, don’t cancel right away, check with the winery first. Some may allow you to bring your picnic inside on a case-by-case basis.
Also, never assume a winery allows picnics. Most wineries don’t have the permits for outside food. If you’re visiting a winery not on this list, always confirm their policy before booking.
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