Decamping to Sonoma for a picnic
If Dolores Park is feeling a little too packed, consider relocating your picnic to a Sonoma winery
Sunshine, grass, a slice of juicy watermelon, and frankly unhinged quantities of dips eaten with torn chunks of baguette and cheese. A proper picnic is hard to beat. And since California has decided to gift us a surprise March heatwave, it feels only right to start 2026 Picnic Season a little early.
If you have kids, dogs, or simply a deep appreciation for assembling an overly ambitious baguette sandwich in the sunshine, here are seven Sonoma wineries where you can bring your own picnic and settle in for the afternoon.
Bacchus Landing (with Dot, Aldina and Smith Story as highlights),
A small disclaimer before we begin. Some wineries do require reservations and a fee for picnic tables, so it is worth checking ahead.
Want more wineries like this? Explore the full Noteworthy Guide.
Aesthete (Healdsburg)
Aesthete’s wines are crafted by acclaimed winemaker Jesse Katz, with a lineup that includes bold yet polished Pinot Noir, Cabernet, and Sauvignon Blanc. Tastings take place outdoors on a rustic ranch property where guests relax in Adirondack chairs by the creek or gather at picnic tables beneath shady trees, often with friendly goats and organic gardens nearby. The setting feels peaceful and natural, combining the charm of a working farm with the comforts of a boutique winery. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own food to enjoy alongside Aesthete’s small production, single vineyard wines.
Bacchus Landing (Healdsburg)
Bacchus Landing is a lively wine collective just outside downtown Healdsburg that feels part wine village, part social gathering place. The Mediterranean inspired property brings together several boutique wineries in one location, which makes it ideal for groups who want variety with their picnic.
At the center of the property is a shared open air plaza with shaded tables and bocce courts, creating an easygoing place to settle in with food and wine. Guests are welcome to bring their own picnic, and the property often features artisan food pop ups and a wood fired pizza oven on weekends if your picnic basket needs reinforcements.
A few resident wineries worth visiting while you are there:
Dot
Elegant but with a touch of muscle, producing vineyard driven Pinot Noirs crafted by a newly minted award winning winemaker, Lise Asimont.
🔗 Dot Winery ↗
🍾💲 Median Bottle: $$$ ($40-$70) | 📅💲 Tastings: $25+
Aldina
A micro producer focused on lush, elegant Cabernet served in a relaxed communal setting with warm family style hospitality.
🔗 Aldina Vineyards ↗
🍾💲 Median Bottle: $$$ ($40-$70) | 📅💲 Tastings: $25+
Smith Story
Elegant, low intervention Pinot Noirs and a few delightfully chillable reds poured in a quirky, dog friendly space.
🍾💲 Median Bottle: $$$ ($40-$70) | 📅💲 Tastings: $25+
Stuhlmuller Vineyards (Healdsburg)
Stuhlmuller Vineyards is the definition of relaxed Alexander Valley charm. The barn and vineyard setting invites guests to settle onto the patio with their own picnic while taking in wide vineyard views and an easygoing, dog friendly atmosphere. The winery even suggests stopping at local favorites like Big John’s Market or the Jimtown Store before arriving to stock up on provisions. With its “Yappy Hours” window for canine companions and a focus on unhurried hospitality, Stuhlmuller is an excellent place to spread out a picnic and stay awhile.
Wines: Cabernet-led, bold Alexander Valley reds, plush, tannic and oak-forward, paired with medium-bodied, leesy Estate Chardonnays: lush, opulent, minimal‑intervention style.
🍾💲 Median Bottle: $$$ ($40-$70) | 📅💲 Tastings: $30+
Furthermore Wines (Healdsburg)
Furthermore’s vineyard side Healdsburg location welcomes guests to bring their own picnic, especially on Sundays when live music adds a festive note to the afternoon. The outdoor courtyard sits beneath a towering sequoia that provides generous shade, and both families and dogs are welcome. It is a relaxed setting to enjoy their single vineyard Pinot Noir and estate Chardonnay while working your way through whatever snacks made it into the picnic basket.
Wines: Refined coastal Pinots: bright cherry and cranberry, balanced acidity, silky tannins, restrained French oak
🍾💲 Median Bottle: ($70-$100) | 📅💲 Tastings: $30+
Iron Horse Vineyards (Sebastopol)
Iron Horse Vineyards is a legendary Sonoma sparkling wine estate and one of the most scenic picnic spots in the region. The tasting “room” is actually an outdoor bar perched on a hilltop surrounded by rolling vineyards with views stretching toward Mt. St. Helena. Guests can reserve a picnic table for a small fee, purchase bottles, and enjoy their own BYO lunch in a relaxed rustic setting. The vibe is wonderfully casual. Think leaning on a wine barrel, chatting with friendly staff, and soaking up the sunshine with a glass of their world class bubbly. Iron Horse sparkling wines have been poured at the White House for decades, but the atmosphere here remains down to earth and family run. It is one of the larger producers I recommend, but the setting still feels unmistakably Sonoma.
Wines: Known for Champagne-style, elegant sparkling wines. But also make food-friendly classic California wines from Sonoma coast.
🍾💲 Median Bottle: ($70-$100) | 📅💲 Tastings: $35+
Bonus tip, if you’re in Healdsburg my favorite spot for a sandwich is Troubadour. Honestly, it can’t be beat 😍
Noteworthy is an independent, unsponsored guide to California’s most noteworthy wineries. If you enjoy these recommendations, you can explore the full guide of curated wineries on Noteworthy.wine.