Top 10 picnic spots
By Paul Franson
 |
|
A good bottle of wine with a picnic lunch is the best way to enjoy some of the wine country's beautiful settings |
This list of picnic sites includes some of the best views and best venues.
There are, of course, many other wineries that have picnic tables, and some are equally pleasant.
Certainly, if you use a winery's picnic grounds, you should buy a bottle from them. Most will throw in plastic cups and have chilled whites and rosés available. The ultimate is V. Sattui Winery, which has an excellent deli and cheese shop, and in spite of all the other tourists on weekends, is well worth a visit.
| Name |
Address |
Phone |
Comments |
|
Chateau Potelle
|
3875 Mt. Veeder Rd., Napa
|
255-9440
|
Up in the mountains in a bucolic setting.
|
|
La Famiglia di Robert Mondavi
|
1595 Oakville Grade, Oakville
|
944-2811
|
Great views halfway up impossibly steep Oakville Grade.
|
|
Monticello Winery
|
4242 Big Ranch Rd., Napa
|
253-2802
|
By reproduction of Thomas Jefferson's home.
|
|
Napa Cellars
|
7481 St. Helena Hwy., Yountville
|
944-2565
|
Next to highway 29, but sheltered in peaceful grove.
|
|
Nichelini Vineyards
|
2950 Sage Canyon Rd., St. Helena
|
963-0717
|
10 miles outside of the valley in rustic canyon setting.
|
|
Niebaum-Coppola Winery
|
1991 St. Helena Hwy., Rutherford
|
963-9099
|
Historic Inglenook Winery grounds. Interesting museum about Coppola.
|
|
Rutherford Hill Winery
|
200 Rutherford Hill Rd., Rutherford
|
963-7194
|
Great views and picnic sites in olive groves above tony Auberge du Soleil. Caves on tour.
|
|
St. Clement Vineyards
|
2867 St. Helena Hwy., St. Helena
|
967-3033
|
Tables in quiet garden above highway 29 next to historic Victorian winery.
|
|
Sterling Vineyards
|
1111 Dunaweal Dr., Calistoga
|
942-3344
|
Picnic on the patio overlooking the valley.
|
|
V. Sattui Winery
|
1111 White Lane, St. Helena
|
963-7774
|
The only winery you can buy a picnic - with good wines and shaded grounds.
|
|
