The menu is arguably the most important element of your luxury picnic. Today we’re going over the Gourmet Cheese & Wine Luxury Picnic Menu to inspire your own themed outdoor dining experience. Personalize it to suit your preference and the needs of your guests. Create your own unforgettable experience.

This is another blog post in the Luxury Picnic Menu Series. Links to all the posts in this series are down below.

Venue

A few considerations for luxury picnic like this, you’ll want to make your guests as comfortable as you can. Think about creative ways of providing overhead shade, or maybe pushing the event later in the day, closer to sunset. Think about how accessible your location is to everyone as well. Added points if you can pick a place with a nice view. 🤩

Related Post: Luxury Picnic Locations

Presentation & Themed Decor

A fun idea I’ve been looking for an excuse to try is having a mini wine tasting at a luxury picnic, and gourmet cheese and wine is the perfect theme for this. Have a couple of signature wines and tasting glasses or miniature carafes for everyone to find their favorite wine-cheese pairings.

Label each cheese with small decorative tags for a nice informative touch. Be sure to provide lots of mini tongs with the food displays. If you are a little crafty, write up a little tasting card for each type of cheese along with a suggest wine pairing.

Personalized wine charms with each guest’s names would be very useful at this luxury picnic.

If you’ve got some sort of live entertainment in mind this would go well with a gourmet cheese and wine menu because it’ll only further encourage your guests to get comfortable. Live guitar would add a cozy feel. Try and guess wines blind-folded or even break out classic board games to help break the ice between guests.

Set out stylish furnishings and thoughtful weather-proofing (sun shades, torches, or umbrellas) that continue to create ambiance to match your menu.

Related Post: Luxury Picnic Packing Tips

First, the cheeses, of course. Offer a great selection with a well-rounded mix of soft, semi-hard, and aged cheeses. Provide your guests with bold and tangy cheeses (i.e. Gorgonzola), mild and creamy cheeses (i.e. Brie or Camembert), cheeses with depth (i.e. smoked cheddar or Gouda, truffle cheese), nutty and firm cheeses (i.e. Manchego), and maybe even a local cheese specific to your region. Try for variation in textures as well as flavors.

As with the cheese, the wine will need an equally creative selection. The easiest way to do this would be to provide a different wine for each type of cheese you provide. If you’ve got a Pinot Noir provide a Gruyere, Sauvignon Blanc with goat cheese, sparkling wine with your creamy Brie, Cabernet with blue cheese, etc. Wine finished in whiskey barrels would also be a nice change of pace to include as well.

This is such a fun theme to get creative with because of it’s simplicity—it’s so broad the options are wide open. Be sure to include some nice accompaniments to your cheese board. This will give the pallets a rest as well bring this snack selection closer to a meal.

Fresh fruit: Grapes, figs, apple slices, and pears
Dried fruit: Apricots, cranberries, and dates
Nuts: Roasted almonds, candied walnuts, or spiced pecans
Breads & Crackers: Sourdough baguette slices, artisanal crackers, and crostini
Condiments: Honey, fig jam, balsamic glaze, and a grainy mustard
Charcuterie (optional): Prosciutto, soppressata, or duck pate

Play up on the fun aspects of having a deconstructed meal like this. Display the food in charcuterie cups or make some of the fruit more kebab-style. Arrange cheeses in varying heights and shapes on a marble cheese board for a luxe touch and visual interest.

Fondue (chocolate or cheese) would be a fun and match as well. Just keep the flavors complimentary and go as far out as you please! I’ve got a bunch of boards and tray suggestions on my Pinterest if you want some visual ideas there.

A gourmet cheese and wine luxury picnic is more than just a meal—it’s an experience. With thoughtfully curated pairings, elegant presentation, and personalized touches, you can create a stylish and unforgettable outdoor gathering. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in life’s finer things, this picnic theme is sure to impress. Gather your guests, pour a glass, and savor every moment.