Picnics are one of life’s simple pleasures — whether a casual outing with a plaid blanket or an all-afternoon affair with a packed-to-the-brim basket, spending time in the sunshine underneath Napa oaks or among the verdant vines is a moment worth cherishing. Luckily, some of Napa Valley’s winery properties invite visitors to ample opportunities to enjoy wine-ing and dining outdoors.

V Sattui // Photo by Joanna Salazar

V. Sattui Winery

This St. Helena-based winery boasts a grandfathered permit, which allows a full Italian Deli and Marketplace where they produce a variety of freshly prepared sandwiches, salads, house-cured salamis, and even sweet treats like house made tiramisu, fruit tarts, and Italian gelato. This year, V. Sattui Winery is celebrating its 50th anniversary, so they’ve just unveiled a comprehensive renovation of the marketplace, deli, and tasting room. As part of their revamp, they also hired celebrity cheesemonger James Ayers to oversee their collection of over 200 cheeses from around the world.

Ayers can help guests curate a balanced charcuterie board for an onsite picnic at V. Sattui Winery’s 2.5 acres of picnic grounds dotted with oak-shaded picnic tables, or guests can bring their own blanket for a more rustic affair. Picnic grounds are available to patrons between 9 am and 7 pm, and reservations are not required — neither is a wine tasting nor a wine purchase mandatory for a picnic; their only regulation is against outside food as V. Sattui Marketplace has everything that guests could ever need to build their perfect basket. // www.vsattui.com

Pope Valley Winery

This family-owned winery in the northeastern corner of Napa Valley offers a special wine and private picnic experience that starts in its centuries-old wine cave with a tasting of estate wines for an exploration of the Eakle family winemaking heritage. The curated tasting is served with artisan cheeses to round out the experience while simultaneously acting as an appetizer to the picnic guests can pack for the second portion of the tasting — a private table overlooking the Vaca Mountain Range. While guests can pack their own treats, Pope Valley Winery requests one bottle purchase per two guests, which is attentively served by their staff for an elevated feel. Reservations required; $65/person (complimentary for wine club members). //
www.popevalleywinery.com

Whitehall Lane

While picnicking isn’t a formal offering at this Rutherford estate’s tasting room, it’s a beloved insider experience as the family-owned winery enjoys arranging picnic lunches with advance reservations. With 72-hour notice, Whitehall Lane can customize a lunch order from Oakville Grocery or Bouchon Bakery so that guests can just show up, purchase a bottle, and enjoy the vineyard-lined garden pavilion more leisurely. //
www.whitehalllane.com

Pestoni Family Estate Winery

This St. Helena estate winery recently unveiled the construction of their new picnic pavilion, envisioned by San Francisco architect Koonshing Wong, whose WZ Architecture firm is responsible for designing the Patek Phillippe and Rolex boutiques in San Francisco. The covered tasting area is family- and dog-friendly and completely open to let sunshine in. It also protects should an unpredictable shower roll through (or in case the sun is too warm). Guests are encouraged to bring their own picnic provisions to enjoy alongside a self-paced tasting of four Pestoni Family wines with the option to include bottle service following the tasting. Reservations required; $45 or complimentary for wine club members up to four guests. // www.pestonifamily.com

Tres Sabores Winery

“Bring Your Own Picnic” is one of two garden party options at Tres Sabores in St. Helena. Guests can bring their own wine-friendly picnic to pair with their tasting experience while the team sets up the rest, including a table set with linens, palm-leaf plates, and silverware. The picnic fee is $20 per group for up to six guests and $50 per group for 7 to 10 guests, with fees waived for SABOR Wine Club members.

Another option: Tres Sabores can design a lunch for groups of over six people. They require at least 72 hours of advance notice, and lunch pricing varies depending on where they source from, but they assure it’s always from one of their “top chef” partners in the Valley. // www.tressabores.com

Laird Family Estate

Laird Family’s “Bottle & Blanket” tasting strips the picnic experience back to the innocent days of sprawling out on the lawn as a kid, all with the adult indulgence of their wine. Guests bring their own food and swing by the tasting room for a picnic blanket and bottle of wine before finding their ideal patch on their lawn surrounded by vineyards. If guests prefer a seated picnic, they can bring outside food to enjoy alongside their wine tasting experience or by purchasing a bottle. // www.lairdfamilyestate.com

Benessere Vineyards

This Italian-inspired vineyard brings la dolce vita to Napa Valley with its small-production Italian varieties like Sangiovese and Pinot Grigio. Their “Al Fresco Dining Experience” allows guests to bring in a packed picnic to pair with their Bei Vini flight (a mix of white, rosé and red wines for $40) or Grandi Rossi Tasting (a red wine flight for $55) — all in a peaceful setting under a storied walnut tree or overlooking the Napa River. Reservations required; $10 per person fee plus tasting costs for groups of 2 to 8 guests. // www.benesserevineyards.com

Bocce Ball at Dry Creek Vineyard

Dry Creek Vineyard

Further afield in Healdsburg, Dry Creek Vineyard offers stunning grounds complete with picnic tables where guests can make an afternoon out of their visit, reserve a wine flight and picnic lunch, and then stay a while after for bocce. Available Thursday through Monday from April through October, guests should pre-order their picnic selects at least 72 hours in advance, choosing from a selection of seasonal goodies that will complement the estate’s limited-production wines. Reservations recommended; $65 per guest. // www.drycreekvineyard.com

Where to Buy Picnic Food

Photo courtesy of Oakville Grocery

As many wineries encourage their patrons to pack their own picnic, it only makes sense to highlight some of the best places to pick up provisions in the Valley.

Genova Delicatessen: Located in North Napa on Trancas Avenue, Genova has a very popular sandwich-making team on hand to put together a classic Italian sandwich or sub or any other combination with their fresh and plentiful meats, cheeses, and accoutrements. The gourmet market carries fresh breads, cheeses, potato and macaroni salads, antipasto, chips, jams, and even hot items to go.  // www.genovadelinapa.com

Oakville Grocery: Opened in 1881, this is California’s longest continuously operated store, and it shows as the grocer is continuously stocked with the best brands from heritage to newcomers. Whether wine enthusiasts want to order a freshly made sandwich or pasta salad to-go or pick out cheese and charcuterie with local accouterments like pickles and jams, Oakville Grocery has it all. Or, one can choose to put their faith in the institution’s hands with their pre-packaged box lunches that are all $30 but include a variety of mains — from their iconic sandwiches to fried chicken tenders — all are served with fresh fruit, chips, and a daily baked cookie. (Also Voted Best Place for a Sandwich in Napa Valley Life’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards). // www.oakvillegrocery.com

Sam’s General Store: With locations in Calistoga and St. Helena, Sam’s General Store is perfectly positioned to provide a takeaway picnic experience. They offer artisan sandwiches like their turkey pesto panini or roast beef and mozzarella, as well as a variety of salads, chips, and snacks. // www.samsgeneral.store