Picnics possess the power to remind one of their youth, recalling days of bare feet, running free through tall grass while the grown-ups carried a straw basket packed to the brim with goodies to a pristinely groomed patch in the shade. As adults, though, there are a number of picnic experiences to choose from, including luxurious setups with towering charcuterie boards placed alongside canvas pillows for lounging or a back-to-the-basics setup of a checkered blanket and a straw basket filled with only the essentials – and in Napa, those essentials no doubt include wine.

If planning a wine-fueled picnic seems daunting, don’t fret – there are a variety of wineries throughout the Valley that can help facilitate the perfect picnic and ensure the essentials are covered – glassware, expertly chilled wine, and some even prepare delectable snacks. Others offer a do-it-yourself experience for guests to bring their own provisions while they supply the wine, which allows guests to control the experience they want to have. From Carneros to Calistoga, here’s where to embrace the inner child in us all at a picnic setup this summer.

 

Faust Haus

This brooding Victorian overlooks St. Helena’s vineyards, offering impeccable views and plenty of outdoor space, including a leafy courtyard where they offer their Haus Picnic + Tasting experience. For $100, guests can just show up and let Faust take care of the rest – a flight of estate wines with liberal pairings like baguette sandwiches, charcuterie, and chips prepared by the onsite Haus kitchen. The experience is available Friday through Sunday, and reservations are recommended. // www.faustwines.com

 

Hudson Ranch

This Carneros-based winery offers visitors the chance to tack on a picnic to their tour and tasting experience ($100 per person) for an additional $20 per person. There’s also the option to add on a scenic hike, which is about three miles and provides unparalleled and unexpected views of the Valley. It’s an ideal leisurely morning as guests can taste through a Hudson Ranch flight and discover their favorite wines to purchase for the picnic, then work up an appetite on the hike before settling in at a picnic table, which can be reserved for one hour. Guests must bring their own picnic supplies, but Hudson Ranch will provide glassware and water. // www.hudsonranch.com

Frank Family Vineyards

Reserve Frank Family’s Picnic & Bottle Service for $25 per person (members can reserve a table for no cost) and enjoy 90 minutes at a private picnic table under the property’s old elm trees amidst the park-like setting in Calistoga. This is another bring-your-own experience, so pack up that basket for aesthetics and choose from a selection of Frank Family’s estate-driven wines to pair with your snacks upon arrival. // www.frankfamilyvineyards.com

Merryvale Vineyards

The Profile Estate Picnic is a signature experience at this St. Helena winery’s Profile Estate Vineyard, set atop a stunning ridge 800 feet above the valley. Available for groups of four to eight, guests can choose from a variety of lunch options, like gourmet sandwiches and cheese or charcuterie boards, to enjoy on the deck while tasting through a flight of Profile Collection wines. The vertical flight includes their iconic Silhouette Chardonnay and four select vintages of Profile. Reservations are required. $295 per person (or $265 for wine club members). // www.merryvale.com

 

V. Sattui Winery

With more than two acres of lush picnic grounds, some shaded by giant oak trees, not to mention an onsite artisanal deli that serves up paninis, salad, pasta, and charcuterie made in-house, this St. Helena winery was built for picnics. Grounds are available to patrons daily with the purchase of wine and deli provisions (no outside food permitted), but when the winery even makes its own desserts, like tiramisu, seasonal fruit tarts, and Italian-style gelato, guests wouldn’t need to go anywhere else. And just in case they didn’t have everything covered already, on rainy days, V. Sattui brings the picnic inside, with tables in their underground barrel room. // www.vsattui.com

Laird Family Estate

Return to the basics by booking Laird Family Estate’s Bottle & Blanket tasting. The endearing name sets the tone for a relaxed afternoon of lounging on the grass, with blankets available from the tasting room. Visitors can purchase a bottle of wine (or two) and must bring their own snacks, which they can enjoy as a personal picnic or during their wine-tasting experience. For guests who prefer a seated experience, there are also select tables assigned for picnicking on their patio. // www.lairdfamilyestate.com

Clos Pegase

Designed with romance in mind, Clos Pegase’s picnic lunch at their Calistoga Tasting Room is priced per couple ($80 to $100). They collaborated with local Valley favorite, Tre Posti, to create local and seasonally inspired picnic boxes that serve two adults. The options are gourmet, like BBQ spiced pork tenderloin or poached and grilled shrimp, accompanied by different salads and vegetables. The picnic boxes require 48 hours advance reservation. They come with wine pairing recommendations so visitors can arrive prepared to purchase their desired bottle and then head out to a picnic table or are encouraged to bring their picnic blanket for a more authentic experience. // www.clospegase.com

 

Wheeler Farms

While not technically classified as a picnic but rather a bespoke tasting, Wheeler Farm’s patio setting portrays the aforementioned innocence of childhood, surrounded by heritage fruit trees and edible gardens. The J.H. Wheeler Wine Experience includes a seasonal selection of elevated canapés, prepared by estate chef Tom Harder, expertly paired with four J.H. Wheeler wines. Patrons will familiarize themselves with the grounds, walking through the orchards, before sitting down to enjoy the tasting, with views of the estate vineyards and unmistakeable Mount St. Helena. // www.wheelerfarmswine.com