Winery · Kenwood, Sonoma County
Can you picnic at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards?
No picnics$$$
The short answer
No — St. Francis Winery & Vineyards doesn't allow picnics or outside food. Food you can order there: Chef-driven wine and food pairings, a seasonal mezze pairing on the Vineyard Portico, and…. See the nearby spots below that do welcome picnics.
Checked September 2026 from stfranciswinery.comStated on the venue's own website
Where to picnic instead
Where to picnic insteadThe closest spots to St. Francis Winery & Vineyards that welcome picnics.
Picnic rules at a glance
Picnic rules at a glance- Picnicking
- No picnics
- Bring your own food
- Not allowed
- Outside wine / alcohol
- Not allowed
- Purchase required
- Yes
- Reservation
- Required
- Food on site
- Chef-driven wine and food pairings, a seasonal mezze pairing on the Vineyard Portico, and snack pairings
- Groups
- Group tastings for 9+ (up to 20) by reservation.
- Dogs
- Friendly leashed pets welcome on the property; not at the Wine & Food Pairing
- Kids
- Children must be supervised; under-21s not allowed at the food pairings or trolley tour
- Hours
- Daily 10am–5pm
- Tastings
- From about $55 per person; pairings higher
- House rules
- Outside food or beverages are not permitted on the property. All wine experiences are by appointment; one tasting or pairing per guest per visit.
The setting
The settingA mission-style winery with a bell tower on Hwy 12 at the Kenwood–Santa Rosa line, with a patio, a vineyard portico and a redwood grove used for some tastings. Built for seated tastings and food pairings rather than picnics.
The view · Jim G from Silicon Valley, CA, USA · CC BY 2.0 
The view · Jim G from Silicon Valley, CA, USA · CC BY 2.0
- Vineyard views
- Gardens
- Shade trees
- Restrooms
- Parking
Good for: Romantic · Dogs · Views
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About St. Francis Winery & Vineyards
About St. Francis Winery & VineyardsA well-known Hwy 12 winery at the Kenwood–Santa Rosa line, famous for its multi-course food and wine pairings and vineyard 'tasting trolley'. It does not allow outside food, so it's a tasting destination rather than a picnic spot.
- No outside food or beverages
- Renowned food-and-wine pairings
- Pedal-powered vineyard trolley tour
- Leashed pets welcome (not at pairings)
Make a day of it
Stock up at a deli nearby, then picnic close by — a short, easy loop.
- Glen Ellen Village Market
Deli & market · Glen Ellen · about 7.6 mi away
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards (this winery)
Winery · Kenwood
- Hamilton Family Wines
Winery · Kenwood · about 2.3 mi away
- Ty Caton Vineyards (Kenwood Tasting Room)
Winery · Kenwood · about 2.4 mi away
More picnic spots nearby
More picnic spots nearby
Winery
Kenwood· 0.6 mi
Buy food on sitePurchase requiredReserve aheadShade
Steve Ledson's 16,000-square-foot 'Castle' is one of the most photographed stops on Hwy 12, with a gourmet marketplace and oak-shaded grounds. Picnic-style visits run through a reserved no-host table with a bottle, using food from the marketplace.
Buy food on siteChecked Sep 2026
- Own food
- no
- Wine purchase
- Required
- Reservation
- Required
- Dogs
- not confirmed
- Fee
- not confirmed
Nearest picnic food: Glen Ellen Village Market · 6.4 mi
Winery
Kenwood· 1 mi
Buy food on sitePurchase requiredReserve aheadDogs OK
A Chardonnay and Pinot Noir house at the foot of Sugarloaf Ridge whose lawn, fountain courtyard and bocce court make it feel like a picnic spot — but for non-members the food has to come from the winery's own cheese-and-charcuterie selection.
Landmark Vineyards (Kenwood Estate)
Buy food on siteChecked Sep 2026
- Own food
- no
- Wine purchase
- Required
- Reservation
- Required
- Dogs
- Outside
- Fee
- not confirmed
Nearest picnic food: Glen Ellen Village Market · 4.8 mi
Winery
Kenwood· 2 mi
Reserved picnicsPurchase requiredDogs OKShade
Kenwood's showpiece estate with a chateau, formal gardens and one of the best-known lawns in wine country. Its long-standing free picnic grounds are gone: outside food is now banned, and picnics happen only through a paid Estate Picnic booking with food from the winery's market.
Reserved picnicsChecked Sep 2026
- Own food
- no
- Wine purchase
- Required
- Reservation
- Required
- Dogs
- Yes
- Fee
- not confirmed
Nearest picnic food: Glen Ellen Village Market · 4.6 mi
Winery
Kenwood· 2 mi
Bring your own foodPurchase requiredNo reservation
A family-run producer of Italian-style reds (Sangiovese, Barbera and friends) pouring in an old schoolhouse in Kenwood. It openly invites guests to bring a picnic to eat with their tasting in the backyard.
Bring your own foodChecked Sep 2026
- Own food
- yes
- Wine purchase
- Required
- Reservation
- Not needed
- Dogs
- not confirmed
- Fee
- No fee listed
Nearest picnic food: Glen Ellen Village Market · 3.9 mi
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questionsCan you picnic at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards?
No — St. Francis Winery & Vineyards doesn't allow picnics or outside food. Food you can order there: Chef-driven wine and food pairings, a seasonal mezze pairing on the Vineyard Portico, and…. See the nearby spots below that do welcome picnics.
Can you bring your own food to St. Francis Winery & Vineyards?
No. St. Francis Winery & Vineyards doesn't allow outside food, but you can buy food there: chef-driven wine and food pairings, a seasonal mezze pairing on the Vineyard Portico, and snack pairings.
Can you bring your own wine to St. Francis Winery & Vineyards?
No. Like most wineries, St. Francis Winery & Vineyards doesn't allow outside wine or alcohol — buy a bottle there to enjoy with your picnic.
Do you need a reservation to picnic at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards?
Yes. Book ahead on their website. Group tastings for 9+ (up to 20) by reservation.
Are dogs allowed at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards?
Friendly leashed pets welcome on the property; not at the Wine & Food Pairing.
Is St. Francis Winery & Vineyards good for kids?
Children must be supervised; under-21s not allowed at the food pairings or trolley tour.
Sources & accuracy
Sources & accuracyWe last checked this listing in September 2026 (freshest source: Official experiences page © 2026). Policies change — especially for groups and holidays — so confirm with St. Francis Winery & Vineyards before you go. How we verify.
