There is a particular pleasure in playing bocce ball in a vineyard. The game asks almost nothing of you — a flat surface, a set of balls, and enough patience to argue about who is closest to the pallino — and gives back an afternoon that feels entirely unhurried. Beringer's bocce ball court sits in the heart of the estate, surrounded by vineyard views and the kind of setting that makes a glass of wine feel earned.
Here is everything you need to know to play well, or at least to play confidently.
At a Glance
- Location: Beringer Vineyards, 2000 Main Street, St. Helena, CA 94574
- Experience: The Beringer Backyard Social includes reserved seating, access to the bocce court, a bottle of wine per four guests, and a deluxe charcuterie board
- Reservations: Visit beringer.com/pages/winery-events for current availability and booking
- Wine Pairings for the Court: Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Private Reserve Chardonnay, Knights Valley Mountain Rosé
What is Bocce Ball?
Bocce traces its roots to the Roman Empire and has been played in one form or another across Europe for centuries. The rules are simple. The strategy can run deep. The game works for one-on-one play or groups of up to eight, runs at its own pace, and has a way of becoming the reason the evening lasted as long as it did.
What You Need
A bocce set includes eight larger balls, divided equally between two teams by color, and one smaller target ball called the pallino (also known as the jack). The objective: roll your team's balls closer to the pallino than your opponents'. That's the whole game, and also never quite the whole game.
The Court
Beringer's court is a rectangular surface measuring approximately 13 by 91 feet, leveled for consistent play. Bocce doesn't require a dedicated court — any flat, open outdoor space works — but the estate setting makes Beringer's version one of the more pleasant places to play in wine country.
How to Play: Step by Step
1. Form Your Teams
Divide into two teams of one to four players each. With more than one player per team, distribute the four balls equally among teammates.
2. Throw the Pallino
A player from the first team opens the frame by throwing the pallino into the court. It must cross the center line and land at least a foot from the side and end lines.
3. Roll the First Ball
The same player who threw the pallino rolls the first bocce ball, aiming to land it as close to the pallino as possible.
4. Alternate Turns
The opposing team now rolls, trying either to get closer to the pallino or to knock the first team's ball away. Teams alternate turns with one important rule: if your team already has the ball closest to the pallino, you pass your turn. The other team rolls until they surpass your position or run out of balls.
5. Score the Frame
Once all balls have been rolled, scoring begins. Only one team scores per frame. A team earns one point for each of their balls that is closer to the pallino than the closest ball of the opposing team. A ball touching the pallino (called a "baci" or "kiss") earns two points.
6. Start the Next Frame
The team that scored in the previous frame throws the pallino to open the next. Play continues until one team reaches the agreed total, typically 12 or 15 points.
Strategy Tips
Master placement. A well-placed ball can block the opponent's path to the pallino while securing your team's position. You don't always need to be closest — you need to control the space around closest.
Use the knock-off. When the opponent's balls are crowding the pallino, a harder, more direct throw to knock them away is often the right call. This takes practice but changes the game when it works.
Sometimes sacrifice a point. If pushing the opponent's balls away means giving up a point in the current frame but gaining control of the pallino position for the next one, the trade can be worth it.
The Beringer Backyard Social
The Beringer Backyard Social is a 90-minute experience that includes reserved seating on the estate grounds, exclusive access to the bocce ball court, one bottle of wine per four guests, and a deluxe charcuterie board. Upon arrival, guests select from a curated list of red and white wine options.
The experience is available for groups of seven or more. Guests must be 21 or older. Check beringer.com/pages/winery-events for current availability and booking.
What to Pour
The bocce court pairs best with wines that drink easily outdoors and hold up across a long afternoon.
- Knights Valley Mountain Rosé — bright, fresh, and versatile; the default choice for a warm afternoon on the court
- Private Reserve Chardonnay — for a more refined pour that holds up alongside a charcuterie board
- Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon — for competitive play that deserves something with a little more weight
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bocce ball?
Bocce ball is a game played with eight larger colored balls and one smaller target ball called the pallino. Teams take turns rolling their balls toward the pallino, earning points for each ball that lands closer to the pallino than the opposing team's closest ball. The game traces its origins to the Roman Empire and is widely played across Europe and North America.
What is the "baci" or "kiss" in bocce ball?
A "baci" (Italian for "kiss") occurs when a bocce ball comes to rest touching the pallino. A baci earns the team two points instead of the standard one, making it one of the highest-value plays in the game.
How long does a bocce ball game take?
A typical bocce game to 12 or 15 points takes about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the number of players and how competitive the match becomes. The game's pace is deliberately relaxed, which is part of its appeal in a setting like Beringer's estate.
What is the Beringer Backyard Social?
The Beringer Backyard Social is a 90-minute group experience at Beringer Vineyards that includes reserved seating, exclusive access to the bocce ball court, one bottle of wine per four guests, and a deluxe charcuterie board. Available for groups of seven or more guests aged 21 and older. Visit beringer.com/pages/winery-events for current availability and reservations.
While you're at the estate, explore Beringer's sensory garden and the Taste of Beringer Tour — one of the most immersive wine experiences on the property.
