Silicon Valley is blessed with beautiful weather year-round, but now that summer is here there’s no excuse not to get outside and explore the best wine bars for alfresco drinking in the South Bay. These top spots have their own uniquely distinctive settings, but each will satisfy wine lovers looking to savor summer in Silicon Valley.

Vintage Wine Bar (San Jose)Vintage Wine Bar Silicon Valley Drink Me

If a trip across the Atlantic isn’t in your vacation plans, Vintage Wine Bar is the closest you’ll come to enjoying wines alfresco in the European style while staying in Silicon Valley. This wine bar, ensconced in a postcard-pretty Gothic-style building in Santana Row, has a bistro table-filled courtyard that is perfect for a romantic date or a celebration with good friends. The wine list here offers bottles from around the world, many of which can also be purchased at sister shop Vintage Wine Merchants, just around the corner.

Location: 368 Santana Row #1040, San Jose, CA 95128
Opening Hours: Monday – Wednesday noon – 9 pm. Thursday – Saturday noon – 11 pm. Sunday noon – 8 pm.
Price Range: $$
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Rootstock (Los Gatos)Rootstock Wine Bar Silicon Valley

The outdoor seating at Rootstock in Los Gatos is a popular spot for wine lovers because of its casual, friendly atmosphere. And with a number of vineyards in the nearby Santa Cruz Mountain appellation, Rootstock is also downright neighborly, pouring wines from Testarossa and Kathryn Kennedy in addition to offerings from wineries further afield. Midweek is a great time to visit Rootstock with all bottles of wine offered for half-price on Tuesdays and free tastings poured by local winemakers on Wednesdays.

Location: 217 North Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Opening Hours: Sunday 11:30 am – 9 pm. Monday – Wednesday 3 – 9 pm. Thursday 3 – 11 pm. Friday – Saturday 11:30 am until midnight.
Price Range: $$
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Little Wine Counter (Campbell)Little Wine Umbrella

The patio at Little Wine Counter may be petite, but it’s big on charm with bouquets of fresh flowers atop the tables and shade provided by chic striped umbrellas. Once seated, it’s easy to imagine you’re soaking up the sun on a terrasse in Old Montreal. Select a cheese or charcuterie board, then ask Dante to suggest a wine or craft beer to pair from the seasonal offerings. Even better, enjoy the patio with good company over a decadent brunch with mimosas, or a leisurely French-inspired dinner of steak tartare or seared foie gras. Stop by the LWC on a Sunday or Monday evening and you’ll find it hard to say non to one of the select bottles of wine available at half-price.

Location: 1875 S. Bascom Avenue, Suite 560, Campbell CA 95008 (PruneYard Shopping Center)
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 4 – 10 pm. Bar until 11 pm. Friday 4 – 11 pm. Bar until midnight. Saturday 11 am – 4 pm and 5 pm until midnight. Sunday 11 am – 4 pm and 5 – 9 pm. Happy Hour: Monday – Friday 4 – 6 pm.
Price Range: $$
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Vino Vino (San Jose)Vino Vino Silicon Valley Drink Me

The outdoor seating options at Vino Vino are abundant, thanks to its location in San Pedro Square Market in downtown San Jose. Vino Vino has its own industrial-chic covered patio where customers can sit and enjoy their locally sourced wine selections, many of which are available on tap. But because this wine bar is also part of the urban public market, patrons can choose to take their food and wine to one of the plentiful tables on the plaza. Purchase a bottle of wine to enjoy outdoors and Vino Vino takes $10 off, uncorks the bottle, and sends you on your way with glass tumblers.

Location: 87 North San Pedro, #105, San Jose, CA 95110 (San Pedro Square Market)
Opening Hours: Sunday – Tuesday 11:30 am – 9 pm. Wednesday 11:30 am – 10 pm. Thursday 11:30 am – 11 pm. Friday – Saturday 11:30 – 1 am.
Price Range: $
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Savvy Wine Cellar (Mountain View)Savvy Cellar Silicon Valley Drink Me

Conveniently for Caltrain commuters, Savvy Wine Cellar sits adjacent to the Mountain View station and features spacious outdoor seating. It’s an ideal spot for a glass of wine before you wander down Castro Street in search of dinner, or while you’re waiting for the train. In fact, since Caltrain allows alcohol onboard, you could try a glass or two on the patio, then purchase a bottle of your favorite for your ride home. If the rumor of a Wine Friday northbound commuter group is actually reality—or you’d like to make it so—Savvy is the perfect place to get that party on rails started in a civilized manner.

Location: 750 West Evelyn, Mountain View, CA 94041
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 4 – 10 pm. Friday – Saturday 2 – 11 pm. Sunday 2 – 9 pm. Closed Mondays.
Price Range: $$
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