5 Wineries with Gorgeous Garden Views

Enjoying a wine tasting or tour isn’t only about the quality of the wines - we know the wine in Northern California is really, really good! – it’s also about the atmosphere that creates a memorable, stress-free experience for the guests. The name of the game is relaxation, and nothing does it quite like the wineries that put nearly as much time, energy, and care into their grounds as they do their wines. With that in mind, I’m highlighting 5 of my favorite spots with perfectly picturesque gardens.

Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery

Ferrari-Carano is truly a garden lovers paradise! Founder Rhonda Carano spent 16 months planning and completing the initial plantings – and it shows. Among the 5-acres of gardens is a formal, geometric garden by the front Villa where tastings take place, and a more park-like garden out back with 2,000 species of trees and shrubs marked with ID tags, including rare (to California) Portuguese cork trees. The grounds explode with color in the spring when thousands of tulips and daffodils bloom. Among the paths, foot bridges, and waterfalls is a Zen-like stream lined with rocks next to a patinaed bronze crane, one of many sculptures on the grounds. This lovely Japanese-meets-English garden space is one of my favorite spots here. If you want to drink “Cal-Italian” wines while admiring an abundance of nature, Ferrari-Carano is the place to be.

Landmark Vineyards

At the base of the Mayacama mountains is Landmark Vineyards’ Kenwood Estate. The grounds here are so pretty that it’s become a very sought-after wedding venue. Tall, vertical, cypress trees placed around a water fountain provide a striking centerpiece to the gardens, which are filled with layers of gorgeous color and texture. There’s a lovely little pond as well. It’s a great place to just relax in the sun or enjoy a game of bocce, because the vibe here is all about serenity. Tastings at Landmark feature signature wines as well as small-production, winery-only Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, which they’re praised for.

Saintsbury Winery

Saintsbury Winery is a lovely, unpretentious, small winery just over on the Napa side of Los Carneros AVA, the only American Viticultural Area shared by both Napa and Sonoma. Their gardens are reminiscent of English cottage gardens, lush with colorful roses, yarrow, alstroemeria, and more. Sitting under the trees at wooden patio tables with burnt orange umbrellas next to the gardens with view of mountains in the distance feels like a big exhale. The founders of the Saintsbury are notable for being one of the first in the Carneros region to produce Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which are, of course, absolutely delicious.

Lasseter Family Winery

Lasseter Family Winery, inspired by wine-growing regions of France, is one of just a few wineries that specialize in Rhône varietals (including Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre) and Bordeaux wines. Their gardens, rich with lavender, sage, grasses, and more, help to create a relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere. As stated on their website, they’ve nurtured “a vibrant ecosystem with beehives, owl boxes and insectaries to provide homes for beneficial insects and predators.” The fragrant gardens are a perfect pairing (wink, wink) to their wine and cheese or charcuterie plates, made with local artisan cheeses. As the winery is appointment only, you can be sure of an intimate experience here.  

Coursey Graves Estate Winery

Another wonderfully intimate spot is Coursey Graves, which typically hosts only one or two groups at a time. “Breathtaking” is a word often used to describe the grounds, which sit at an elevation of 1500 feet atop Bennett Mountain. They have Monet-style French gardens, right down to the arched bridge and floating rowboat in the pond, where you can enjoy a lunchtime picnic. The palette of purples, reds, greens, and gold truly makes the landscape look like a painting. Fans of Bordeaux wines won’t want to miss this. For many folks, this is a “last stop on the tour” kind of place representing a peak winery experience.

Are you ready to book a wine and garden tour? Contact me for a free consult.