photo collage of sonoma county wineries with picnic experiences in healdsburg

Top Sonoma Winery Picnic Experiences

During wine country life before COVID-19, we’d seek out wineries with picnic grounds to bring our own lunch basket spread to a winery, order a bottle of wine (or two) and enjoy a fabulous afternoon. Oh, how the times have changed. With reopening orders for restaurants and wineries changing every few weeks, it’s hard to keep track of who’s open and who’s not–and where to find a Sonoma winery picnic spot. Outdoor seating and dining is still allowed, so that means winery picnics are on the menu. That’s why we’ve put together our list of fabulous Sonoma winery picnic lunch experiences available this summer. Many of these wineries didn’t host picnics before the pandemic, but they’ve pivoted away from their indoor wine tastings and created wonderfully delicious ways to enjoy a casual food and wine pairing meal in the open air. This list does not include wineries with picnic areas for bringing your own lunches. These Sonoma wineries handle all of the details of your wine country picnic for you–removing any bit of stress grocery shopping may cause during these unusual times. Advance reservations are required, and all Sonoma wineries require masks until you are seated for your lunch.

Top Sonoma Winery Picnic Experiences

two women laughing in the background as jordan chardonnay is being poured into a wine glass

Jordan Winery

Relax in true wine country fashion with Jordan Winery’s alfresco picnic lunch experience offered on various days this summer on the French-inspired chateau lawns. Select your personal picnic basket, filled with a demi-carafe of 2016 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon and an array of gourmet picnic recipes, such as rillettes, citrus-marinated olives, and assorted estate veggie and grain salads, as well as Journeyman Meat Co. salumi and artisanal cheeses. Choose a relaxing spot on the lawns for your alfresco lunch—whether it be in the shade of the chateau, under an oak tree or in the summer sun. Once you’re settled, a chilled bottle of 2018 Jordan Chardonnay will be delivered to your blanket. Reserve your picnic basket online.

Jordan Winery, 1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448 jordanwinery.com
Photo courtesy of Stonestreet Winery

Stonestreet Wines

Enjoy a seated tasting experience followed by a picnic boxed lunch from Healdsburg’s local Oakville Grocery. Sip on views of the Mayacamas Mountain range while you enjoy an assortment of single-vineyard wines and delicious picnic snacks. Book your outdoor picnic experience on their website or call directly.

Stonestreet Winery, 7111 Highway 128, Healdsburg, CA, 95448 stonestreetwines.com
charcuterie picnic outdoor lunch wine tasting sonoma wineries
Photo courtesy of Lambert Bridge

Lambert Bridge

Nestled among redwoods and rolling vineyards, Lambert Bridge in Dry Creek Valley has pivoted their daily tasting offerings for a new outdoor Picnic Experience offered in their winery gardens. Enjoy a beautifully curated picnic basket with local cheese, charcuterie and other provisions to enjoy. A bottle of Lambert Bridge wine can be purchased separately to enjoy while in the gardens. Offered daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. by reservation only.

Lambert Bridge, 4085 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448, lambertbridge.com

Bella Vineyards + Wine Caves

Now open Friday through Sunday, Bella Vineyards + Wine Caves is offering an array of outdoor winery picnic experiences off of West Dry Creek Road with sweeping vineyard and mountain views. Now offered on Saturdays and Sundays, the Bella Backyard Picnic Pairing includes a lovely selection of farm-to-basket goodies with a glass of wine that you can take home with you. Don’t miss their live acoustic bluegrass music too. Reserve your outdoor picnic experience on Tock.

Bella Vineyards + Wine Caves, 9711 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448, bellawinery.com
overhead photo of picnic lunch and wine tasting in sonoma county
Photo by Kailani Andrade.

Bricoleur Vineyards

This new Russian River Valley estate, founded by Mark Hanson this year is a winery not to miss. Executive Chef Shane McAnelly, formerly of Brass Rabbit and Chalkboard in Healdsburg, leads the winery’s culinary program. Enjoy a pre-packed picnic filled with housemade piadini, estate grown vegetables, housemade potato chips, dessert and a bottle of 2019 rosé of grenache while taking in beautiful views of Bricoleur Vineyards. Book your private picnic lunch on their website. Reservations required.

Bricoleur Vineyards, 7394 Starr Road, Windsor, CA 95492, bricoleurvineyards.com

Chateau St. Jean

Enjoy a build-your-own sandwich picnic at your own private table at Chateau St. Jean, located in Kenwood off Sonoma Highway. This reusable picnic basket contains family-style bread, grilled sliced chicken breast, egg salad, sandwich fixings, chips, cookie, fresh fruit, a garden salad, water, reusable drinkware, and corkscrew. Everything provided, including the basket, is yours to keep. Purchase a bottle of Chateau St. Jean wine separately. Offered Thursday through Monday at various time slots by reservation only.

Chateau St. Jean, 8555 Kenwood Hwy., Kenwood, CA 95452, chateaustjean.com

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About the Author

Born and raised in rural Kansas, Lisa Mattson fell in love with wine during college in South Florida and worked for a wine magazine before moving to Northern California. Her days are spent being a writer, photographer and videographer for Jordan Winery and nights cooking Thai food or microgreen salads. When she’s not eating and sipping her way through Sonoma County, she travels the world with her husband in search of the best restaurants, snorkeling spots and tiki bars.

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