Visiting a winery is a fantastic activity, but after all that wine tasting, you’re probably going to be extremely hungry. While lots of wineries provide snacks and even boxed lunches you can purchase, some go the extra mile by having a restaurant on site, and many of these restaurants are half of the reason to head to that winery in the first place. Here are the 8 winery restaurants across the country that are worth the trip for the food alone….
Palladio Restaurant – Barboursville Vineyards, Barboursville, VA
This is Northern Italian food at its finest deep in the heart of Virginia. The winery, which is owned by an Italian family, creates fantastic food that pairs perfectly with their wines. We’re particularly fond of the lunch tasting menu. A three course meal with wine pairings is only $60 a person. A fantastic way to experience all the winery has to offer.
Brooklyn Winery – Brooklyn, NY
This urban winery feels like an oasis from the hustle and bustle of too cool for school Williamsburg. One step through their rustic doors and you might as well be hanging out at a tasting room in Napa. You could take a tour, or enjoy a tasting flight, but we’d recommend coming for dinner. A meal at Brooklyn Winery is all about sharing, so bring a few friends and order a bunch of delicious bites.
Knapp Winery – Romulus, New York
The Finger Lakes region of New York has become famous for its Riesling, and Knapp produces a really fantastic example. The restaurant sources from the local farms in the area, creating a wide variety of dishes that pair perfectly with their signature wine.
The Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch – Saint Helena, CA
This is the restaurant experience most people think of when they dream of a vacation to Napa. Farm to table dining, fresh ingredients in season, and a relaxing atmosphere. The wine list features a great selection of the winery’s own wines as well as a fantastic offering of wines from around the region.
King Estate Vineyard – Eugene, Oregon
Known for their Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, the winery restaurant is the perfect respite from a day of tasting. Dine while looking out over the gorgeous vineyard and enjoy sampling the wide variety of wines, all from the restaurant’s tap system.
Flat Creek Estate – Marble Falls, TX
Texas Hill Country is an emerging wine region that has received a lot of attention recently and The Bistro at Flat Creek is a fantastic place to take in all the area wineries have to offer. The restaurant has views that overlook the vineyard and a great three course lunch tasting menu with pairings, a great deal at $55.
Fiction – J. Bookwalter Winery, Richland, WA
If the wines you make at your winery go by names such as Protaganist, Suspense and Double Plot, it only seems natural to name your restaurant Fiction. The restaurant specializes in New American cuisine, and while it can get crowded, due to its popularity, there’s a bocce court to pass the time while you wait for a table.
Wente Vineyards – Livermore, CA
Wente has become a well known wine brand over the years, and that exposure has allowed them to amass quite the property. After touring the vineyard and sampling the wine you can enjoy fresh produce from their garden and steaks from Wente’s own cow herd. The menu changes daily, depending on what’s in season and while you’re there, you might even be able to take in a concert – the winery has a massive amphitheater on site.
