The best California winery picnic areas
We have a rating system for winery picnic areas and other winery features. However, there are times when we feel that a winery picnic area is perfect and deserves special recognition. These areas typically have multiple sites at the winery for more choice, big views, terrific ambiance, outstanding architecture, and picnicking in extensive professional landscaping with water features. We have visited and rated over 600 California winery picnic areas and there are many great ones. These are the best of the best. We are adding our ratings to WineQuesters.com as we have time.
- Villa Toscana - No outside food. Cafe / deli on-site. Picnic on the patio with Italian landscaping, a pond, and ambiance.
Amador
- Viansa - Wide view of the Carneros from a high patio with Italian ambiance.
- Jacuzzi - Large courtyard area plus a garden picnic site.
- Cline - Lots of water and great landscaping.
Carneros
- Passalacqua Winery - Picnic on the deck with a great view, water features, quiet ambiance.
- Lambert Bridge - Picnic tables on the lawn with a view and a wonderful setting.
Dry Creek Valley
- Goldeneye - Tasting & picnic at patio tables with a great view and landscaping.
Mendocino / Anderson Valley
- Ironstone - No outside food. Cafe / deli on-site. Many picnic areas to choose from near streams or the lake. Fantastic landscaping and gold country ambiance.
Murphys / Calaveras County
- Clos Pegase - A few small tables in the courtyard near water features and art. More intimate than most.
- St. Clement - Great view from a garden picnic area overlooking Napa Valley.
- Graeser - Wonderful mountain winery with a tasting room in an remodeled old-style school house and several sites on the property of picnicking.
- V Sattui - No outside food. Large deli on-site. The most popular picnic area in Napa Valley.
Napa Valley
- Castoro - Italian ambiance with several sites on the property. Our favorite is the little table on a deck next to the vineyard.
- Carmody McKnight - Several sites near a small lake with views and mountain ambiance.
Paso Robles
- Arista - Beautiful natural oaks and rocks landscaping with gardens and stunning little steam. Several sites available.
- C Donatiello - Picnic in the aroma garden with extensive landscaping, water features and a pond, and various sites including a redwood grove.
Russian River
- Beckman - Gazebos around the pond are very popular and in spring the blossoms are overwhelming.
- Sunstone - Courtyard picnicking with a view and great ambiance.
- Rusack - Tables on a deck and in the lush garden. Shaded with nice view.
Santa Ynez Valley - Santa Barbara
- Chateau St. Jean - Stunning landscaped courtyard and French chateau ambiance.
- Benziger - A mountain retreat with picnicking under huge oaks.
Sonoma Valley
- Mount Palomar - No outside food. Cafe / deli on-site. Wonderful landscaping, ambiance, and several areas to choose from.
- Wilson Creek - Picnic under the trees, by the pond, or on the lawn. Cafe on-site.
