No day in the Napa and Sonoma valleys is complete without good food. The region has a surfeit of fine restaurants, but sometimes, I’d much rather enjoy the pleasure of a leisurely picnic accompanied by a bottle of terrific wine. Plus, assembling lunch allows me to take advantage of the many wonderful local gourmet food stores, delis and markets.

Wineries that welcome BYO picnics are surprisingly uncommon in Napa and Sonoma, but I found three picturesque options where we lingered among sun-drenched vineyards, sipping at our own pace and savoring spreads far beyond the usual modest meat-and-cheese boards.

Rombauer Vineyards

Though this winery, popular for its buttery Chardonnay and flagship Cabernet, is hardly a secret, its deep culinary roots and prime alfresco dining spots are less well known. Co-founder Koerner Rombauer was the great-nephew of Irma Rombauer, author of the beloved cookbook The Joy of Cooking, and a deep appreciation for fine cuisine is a defining trait of the brand. The labels feature QR codes that link to a library of recipes matched to different wine, and seasonally inspired recipe cards are available to take home.