It’s picnic season, and Domaine Carneros is here to elevate your alfresco afternoon! Follow these tips to pack your basket with style, savor, and sustainability in mind. Of course, you can't forget to pack a bottle of your favorite sparkling wine!
Choosing a theme can make your picnic much more memorable while guiding your menu, music, and décor. For example, select a Parisian theme and serve the perfect make-ahead Pan Bagnet sandwich. Slice lengthwise your favorite crusty baguette and load it with the elements of a classic nicoise salad: tuna, black olives, sliced hard-boiled egg, and mustard-shallot dressing. Wrap tightly in deli paper and keep it refrigerated under a pan or other weighty object to help that delicious dressing absorb into the baguette. Slice into sandwiches before packing your picnic, and voila! Find the recipe here.
Bubbles dial up the decadence of your picnic, and there’s no need for a corkscrew! Pack a wine cooler sleeve pre-chilled in the freezer to keep your wine cool without toting an ice bucket. If you don’t have a cooler sleeve on hand, a large Ziplock bag full of ice does the trick! Adding a handful of kosher salt will reduce the temperature and keep your wine cold longer. Tuck your ice-packed bottles into a backpack or a wine tote with a shoulder strap for easy carrying.
Using cloth napkins, melamine plates, reusable cutlery, and unbreakable wine glasses will elevate your picnic and keep items out of landfills. (Plastic cutlery can take over 1,000 years to degrade!)
Create a picnic scene your guests won’t want to leave! A shady destination without many tree roots is ideal, with a large, thick, easy-to-clean tablecloth or blanket laid out so everyone has plenty of room. Including throw pillows in your picnic setting lends a festive touch of color and makes for luxurious lounging. To help keep ants and mosquitos away naturally, scatter fresh orange and lemon rinds on your blanket. You can also squeeze the rinds to release the oils and rub them on your skin to stay bite-free. Finally, remind your guests to bring several layers of clothing so you can linger through sundown without getting chilly.
Find the perfect music to harmonize with the birdsong and breezes! Carry a small portable speaker and play your “mix tape” from your phone. If you decide to stick with our Parisian theme, we have a Sparkling Summer playlist ready to go! Queue it up and start your pic-nique. Sante!
Shop our latest releases or stock up with our Summer Sipping Case to ensure a refreshing glass in your hand for warm-weather sipping!
