A good friend of mine is getting married and would like to have their wedding in either Napa or Sonoma at a winery.
I thought I’d put it out there in the event that anyone knows of a property that would be a good candidate.
They would like to serve wine and mixed drinks (some wineries only allow wine and beer I believe). And they would like to use an outside caterer.
Any leads would be much appreciated.
Thanks very much,
Steve
Trentadue in Geyserville is very popular.
Paradise Ridge was made for holding events.
Unless your friend is local to Napa/Sonoma, I would recommend your friend find a good wedding planner in those areas who has planned winery weddings in the past. Especially if you’re bringing in an outside caterer, flowers, etc., your friend will probably save a lot of headaches by selecting a local wedding planner who has worked with various wineries and caterers who can recommend the best location for the size of the wedding party, budget, etc.
Bruce
The inability to bring my own spirits into the venue was a deal breaker for me. I looked at a number of places and all told me their wine and beer only. Good luck with the search.
It’s technically illegal to have a wedding in Napa county at a winery. If you end up having a wedding in Napa it could get shut down last minute.
That’s quite surprising. Can you expand a bit on what that restriction is, and what exceptions or work-arounds there are?
It’s because wineries are considered agricultural property, and something in the laws prohibits weddings at agricultural venues. A couple of wineries are grandfathered in but they’re insanely expensive, $50,000+ for just venue use.
The insurance cost is also prohibitive as you need a very large policy to cover the event.
We’re getting married in wine country and our two top picks so far are Paradise Ridge and Arista, both great venues with great wines.
Steve che k these guys out. http://elainebellcatering.com/ they should be able to help with most of not all your questions. Ha e dealt with them once and they are pretty professional.
It’s not that bad. A couple hundred. We had to do it. If the place is serving their own wine they’ll have insurance to cover.
Not what you asked for, but we had our wedding at Meadowood and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Food, service, setting all epic…friends and family had a blast.
+1 My brother and sister-in-law were married there too. Cost is high but it cuts out the wedding planner, caterer, insurance, permits, etc.
In Napa?
Look at Sonoma County. Much more relaxed than Napa County in all things considered.
Both Trentadue and Paradise Ridge are insured as they specialize in doing weddings. Trentadue was voted top spot to get married in Sonoma County by the local readership of the Press Democrat.
The view from Paradise Ridge is great.
This lights up at dusk and is viewable from the terrace
Consider having the wedding at Testarossa Winery in Los Gatos.
Also a great setting!
TTT
Attended a beautiful wedding at Beaulieu Garden in Napa, technically not a winery. I remember some scotch being served which suggests there are ways of doing so, and it had outside catering.
We got married at Trentadue and were very happy with that decision! We used bartenders unlimited for outside alcohol. Happy to give more specifics.
+1 they did a great job with our wedding.
Highly recommend our wedding planner Elizabeth Naylor http://www.elizabethnaylorevents.com/ She really knows wine country.
For a venue we were married at Harvest Inn in St Helena It’s not a winery but the wedding spot is immediately looking out over the Leonardini vineyard.