Spritz + Picnic = Spritznic

A refreshing, low-alc spritz takes picnics from basic to bubbly

Sonoma

Wine Country

is picnic country six months out of the year, meaning that at Francis Ford Coppola Winery, we are avid picnickers. Inspired by Coppola Prosecco—a perfect picnic wine that’s fabulous on its own or in a refreshing spritz—Executive Chef Tim Bodell and Winemaker Andrea Card share their expert advice for picnics and spritzes that deliver big flavor with minimal fuss.

“A great picnic is all about setting the scene—the blanket, the breeze, the company. Wine should enhance the moment, not complicate it. That’s why the best picnic wines are crisp, flexible, and versatile.”

– Winemaker Andrea Card

Coppola Spritz Tips

Coppola Director of Winemaking Andrea Card breaks down the art of the perfectly balanced, refreshing spritz, featuring Coppola Prosecco.

Winemaker Andrea Card pictured outdoors holding a glass of lavender lime spritz

Start colder than you think
Chill all of your ingredients, not just the Prosecco. Cold ingredients will help your spritz survive the sunshine.
Bigger ice is better
Crushed ice waters down your drink. Dilution is the enemy of a delicious spritz, so go for big cubes…
Let the Prosecco do the talking
Coppola Prosecco brings all the craveable bright apple, citrus, and white peach flavors you need. Keep the add-ins modest so the bubbles—and the sparkle—stay center stage.
Add bubbles last and stir gently
To preserve the “spritziness” of your spritz, mix and chill base ingredients with ice first. Then top with Prosecco and club soda and stir just once, lifting the spoon from the bottom of the glass to the top.
Garnish with purpose (and restraint)
A twist of citrus, sprig of an herb or one perfect slice of fruit is all you need. Picnics are breezy and unfussy—your spritz should be, too.

Francis Ford Coppola Winery’s
Lavender-Lime Spritz

A mini bottle of Diamond Collection Prosecco next to a lavender lime spritz cocktail in a picnic style setting

This refreshing spritz takes its inspiration from the culinary garden at Francis Ford Coppola Winery, where lavender blooms from late spring through late summer. Its low alcohol makes it ideal for picnics. Lavender-infused simple syrup is easy to make, but excellent prepared versions are readily available, such as HipStirs Lavender Haze.

1.5 oz. lime juice
1 oz. lavender simple syrup
2 oz. Coppola Prosecco
Splash of club soda
1 lavender sprig (optional)
1 lime wheel (optional)

Add lime juice, simple syrup and ice to a glass and stir well. Top with Coppola Prosecco and club soda and gently stir once, lifting the spoon from bottom to top. Garnish with lavender and lime wheel.

Check out below for more original Coppola Prosecco spritz recipes:
Francis Ford Coppola Winery’s Minty Lemon Spritz
Francis Ford Coppola Winery’s Grapefruit-Pineapple Spritz

Choose Wines that Shine Al-Fresco

If sparkling wines aren’t your thing, look for easy-sipping bottles that still refresh —think crisp Sauvignon Blanc, vibrant rosé, and expressive, lightly chilled reds. They’re bright, versatile, and built for a sunny day picnic.

Pack Small Bottles

Smaller wine formats—like 187ml single serves and 375ml half bottles—are picnic gold. They chill quickly, travel effortlessly, and make it easy for everyone to enjoy the style they love without opening a full bottle.

Chill with Intention

Outdoor pours warm quickly, so start with a deeper chill than you would at home. Make sure to keep bottles on ice or in a chill-pack to keep that crisp, sip‑ready temperature.

Make Your Ice Multitask

Or, instead of ice, freeze fruit! Frozen grapes or citrus slices keep wine cool without watering it down—and become a hydrating snack as the day unfolds.

Coppola Diamond Collection Prosecco mini on a platter with 2 stemless wine glasses photographed on a picnic style blanket

Elevate the Glassware (Just a Little)

Ditch the Solo cups and invest in a few stemless, acrylic wineglasses. They turn a casual park hang into a special moment—adding a touch of luxe without the hassle of lugging actual glassware.

“What I love about a picnic is simplicity and seasonality: Savoring just-picked fruits and vegetables at their peak of flavor, plus the chance to slow down.”

– Tim Bodell, Executive Chef, Rustic at Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Ditch the Forks

My best tip for relaxing picnics is to pack only food you can eat without a fork, over a napkin. Eating with your hands is not only more fun, it means there’s less to carry and clean up after. Wraps, skewers and pressed sandwiches are ideal. For a touch of polish, upgrade to linen napkins.

Think Seasonal

Peak-season produce doesn’t need anything to make it delicious. Choose carefully from what looks best at your local market, wash it before you leave the house and you’re done. Think blood-red strawberries, fragrant apricots, juicy cherries and peaches—is there anything better than feasting on perfectly ripe fruit on a blanket in the sun?

Various marinated and pickled vegetables with a can of sardines, pictured on a rustic wood shelf

Prep the Pantry

If hitting the farmer’s market is not an option—or if you want to be prepared to picnic on a whim—my advice is to stock your pantry with picnic-ready staples. An assortment of tinned fish, marinated artichokes or mushrooms, cornichons, jarred olives and pickled vegetables such as green beans, beets and carrots make a complete meal. And their piquant flavors and vinegary marinades make them refreshing options on hot days. Don’t forget the toothpicks!

Play with Texture

The best picnics don’t even need plates—every bite should be interesting on its own. I like to mix things up: I’ll set out crunchy almonds or seeded crackers next to chewy focaccia or a good rustic loaf, then something creamy like burrata, and plenty of crisp, seasonal produce such as blanched asparagus or baby zucchini spears. When every bite has a different crunch, people naturally start grazing and pairing flavors.

Make Salad a Finger Food

One easy move I love is to pack a jar of mustardy vinaigrette and a few seasonal veggies to dunk in it like a dip. Early in the season I look for snap peas, radishes and pencil-thin carrots; later on, cherry tomatoes, summer squash and Persian cucumbers work well. The best produce doesn’t even need a dip, maybe just a sprinkle of flaky salt!

Winemaker Andrea Card’s

“Spritznic” Essentials

Lidded Ice Bucket
A lightweight, lidded bucket is essential for “spritznic” season. This one from West Elm comes with a scoop.
Wine & Cheese Tote
Most picnic baskets are too cumbersome for me, I love this streamlined willow version, which is an ideal size for a date night picnic with my husband.
Coppola Prosecco “Minis”
The small size is perfect for making spritzes, or whenever you don’t want to open (or lug) a regular bottle.
Stainless Steel Tumbler
A sleek, spill-proof drink tumbler is essential for keeping drinks chilled all day. BrüMate’s 16-oz flute provides the ideal size for spritzes – roomy enough for plenty of ice and bubbles, without feeling bulky.

Wine Chiller Sleeve
Freeze Le Creuset’s wine sleeve overnight, then use it to keep full-size bottles cold during transport.
Picnic Blanket
This puffy picnic blanket from Baggu is a game changer – it’s light, soft and machine washable, and comes in eight incredibly cute and colorful options.

Chef Tim Bodell’s

Picnic Essentials

Chef Time Bodell pictured outdoors leaning on a picnic table under an umbrella

Flaky Sea Salt
I’m always tasting my food for seasoning, even on a picnic, which is why these travel tins of Maldon sea salt are an essential.
Picnic Knife
Opinel has been making its iconic folding knives in the French Alps for 133 years. The picnic version is unbeatable: there’s a 5-turn corkscrew embedded in the handle and a bottle opener on the end.
Cooler Backpack
Lugging a cooler is pain, which is why I consider a cooler backpack essential. This one from Yeti keeps everything supercold and leaves your hands free.
Bamboo Cutting Board
A small, portable bamboo cutting board is a staple at my picnics. It’s light, durable and gives you a solid surface for drinks or food.

Bento Box
Bento-style containers with multiple compartments keep everything neatly organized and separated, so snacks and sides stay separate.
Citrus Zester
I bring a lemon or two to brighten up fruit, tinned fish and salads with both zest and juice. This zester from Williams-Sonoma also has a channel knife. It’s great for making strips to garnish spritzes.

Diamond Collection Prosecco DOC

750ml | Price: $19
187ml | Price: $8

From shareable 750ml bottles to convenient 187ml minis, Diamond Collection Prosecco DOC —crafted in Italy’s renowned Prosecco region— makes picnicking a breeze: fresh, bubbly, and ready wherever you spread your blanket. Perfect for sunny picnics, al-fresco worthy spritzes, warm‑weather hosting and easy pairing.

Tasting Note: Bright apple, citrus, and white peach layered with crisp, refreshing, lightly effervescent bubbles.

Shop Now

Press Resources

Downloadable Assets

Bottle shots, lifestyle photography, spritz imagery

Media Contact

For more information on Coppola Diamond Prosecco, please contact: FFCW@thedooronline.com
631.521.1110