One of the best ways to soak up the scenery in Napa Valley is to have a picnic, and the best advice I can give you is to stock up at Oakville Grocery and head to one of the wineries mentioned below for some fantastic wine. Oops, did I say wine? Lunch, I meant lunch.
Oakville Grocery originally opened in 1881 and is the oldest continually operating grocery store in California. I always find fantastic new things to try, and I think you would too given the selection of food and wines made in Napa and Sonoma Counties, the full deli and espresso bar. While the valley has 78 vineyards that allow picnics, I think the best spot is Rombauer Vineyards whose free picnic tables are nestled in gardens. Their tables are available on a first come, first serve basis but first grab a chilled bottle (of half-bottle) of their fantastic Carneros Chardonnay or enjoy a wine tasting inside.
Local specialties and picnic fixins at Oakville Grocery.
The Rutherford Hill Winery’s picnic tables are situated high on a hill overlooking vineyards, one of the best views in wine country (shown below). It’s not free though; for $75 they offer a picnic package including two bottles of wine, glasses and your own picnic table. Reservations required. Another great place is the Beringer Winery where the free picnic tables are situated among tall trees so you feel as though you’re in a forest.
Get yourself one of those picnic backpacks from Amazon, and have a great picnic in Napa!
Picnic nestled in nature at Rombauer Vineyards. Photo courtesy of Rombauer Vineyards.
Great view for a picnic at Rutherford Hill Winery. Photo courtesy of Terlato Wine Group.
It really is the best way to soak up the Napa scenery.
Cookies, breads and crackers made from organic grains and seeds, baked by hand at a local award winning bakery.
Founded in 1881, Oakville Grocery has a long history in this valley.
Coffee or espresso?
Barrel aged wine vinegars by NOBLE and Tahitian vanilla bean / Egyptian chamomile blossom / bourbon barrel matured maple syrup.
Handmade soaps made from olive oil, some infused with tea like the ‘Rose Earl Grey Vanilla White Tea’ soap.
Organic jams and preserves like the Pinot Cherries, Forbidden Fruit Marmalade, or the Nor Cal Chow Chow with dried fruits and nuts with honey, vanilla and bourbon.
