6 of the Best Wedding Venues in Napa and Sonoma Wine Country
A romantic and luxurious region of California, the Wine Country is a popular and special choice for a vineyard or countryside wedding. Both Napa and Sonoma are popular destination wedding areas here, where pretty small towns are surrounded by lush vine covered fields, often set against dramatic mountainous views. Here you’ll find a variety of different wedding venues, from luxury resorts and boutique hotels to wineries a-plenty and charming converted farm buildings.
Below we’ve detailed 6 of our favourite wedding venues in the area to help get you inspired.
1. Silverado Resort
A 150 year old mansion that has been warmly welcoming guests since the 1870’s, the picturesque Silverado Resort is a lovely mix of Southern hospitality and laidback Californian charm. Surrounded by acres of beautiful scenery and approached via a long private driveway, the venue has several options of your ceremony and reception both indoors and out. For the ceremony, choose to say your vows either in The Grove, surrounded by ancient oak trees and flowering gardens in the centre of their golf course, or in The Arbor, making your way down an elevated path leading to a secluded sunken courtyard. Sip on some delicious cocktails on their shaded Fairway Deck followed by an elegant reception within their Grand Ballroom for up to 280 guests seated. The venue can also sleep 340 guests, so it’s the perfect choice if you want everyone in one place.
2. Olympia’s Valley Estate
A family run Organic dairy farm and apple orchard, the beautiful Olympia’s Valley Estate is a wonderfully homegrown and curated choice, that perfectly balances a laidback and homely nature with a cool, elegant feel. Committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship throughout everything they do, they are also real advocates of a locally sourced, farm to table approach. Host your ceremony by the pond under the weeping willow, followed by a drinks reception in front of the historic 1865 Victorian home, with a conveniently placed outdoor brick oven that’s perfect for bitesize pizzas and flatbreads. Dine and dance in their century old barn with high open beamed ceilings, festoon lighting and vintage chandeliers with up to 190 of your guests. By getting married here, you’ll have access to their extensive rental menu, including ice cream carts, luxe lounging furniture and an airstream photo booth.
3. Viansa
Nestled within the countryside with villa inspired architecture, Viansa evokes the romantic feelings of being at a winery in Tuscany, surrounded by lush vineyards and greenery. Combining warm Italian hospitality and award-winning wines in their luxurious venue, they have a number of different spaces throughout that can accommodate both large and small weddings. Exchange your vows on the enchanting fountain courtyard, surrounded by ivy-clad walls and olive trees, or on the Main Lawn beneath a trellis of grapevines. For the reception, celebrate within their Pavilion which benefits from panoramic year round views of the Valley of the Moon, Sonoma Valley and the vineyards, or alternatively within their atmospheric candlelit wine cellar and intimate Barrel Room.
4. The Culinary Institute of America
Known as the World’s premier culinary school, the prestigious Culinary Institute of America has two beautiful locations within the wine country to get married at.
One is the Copia, a venue filled with bright open spaces, captivating culinary gardens and views of the Napa River. It’s a wonderfully peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle and is modern in style. Say your vows in the organic culinary gardens surrounded by fragrant florals, olive trees and citrus or in their outdoor amphitheater complete with tiered seating and captivating views. Follow this up with a reception within their atrium, which benefits from stunning floor to ceiling windows that flood the room with warm light.
The other alternative is Greystone, a building with an elegant and castle like appearance, tall cathedral ceilings and lovely vineyard views. Host your ceremony in their outdoor Herb Terrace alongside up to 350 guests, with the building’s ivy covered stonework as an impressive backdrop to your vows. After that celebrate within their indoor Barrel Room, if you’re after that real Wine Country cosy aesthetic.
5. Cornerstone Sonoma
Tucked away into the Southwestern tip of the Carneros region, between Sonoma and Napa Wine Country, you’ll find the charming Cornerstone Sonoma. The venue features a number of distinct private locations for your ceremony and reception, so you can really tailor the day to you. For example, you could host your ceremony on the popular Lily Pond Lawn, complete with floral pathway leading to the lawn, where you say your vows in front of the reflective pond, covered in blooming waterlilies. Celebrate your nuptials with a delicious dining experience in The Wedding Garden, beneath a custom designed circular tent, surrounded by white roses and perennials. As the sun sets, move the party onto The Garden Barn for plenty of drinks and dancing, with large sliding doors to let the outdoors in as you and your guests gather round cosy fire pits and toast marshmallows.
6. MacArthur Place
A newly reimagined 64 bedroom hotel, spa and restaurant in Sonoma, MacArthur Place is a wonderfully elegant choice for a wedding venue. Nestled within it’s 6 acre estate you’ll find lush grounds and intimate gardens, a stylish mid-century pool and full service spa, a Mediterranean restaurant called Layla, a coffee shop and marketplace called The Porch and also The Bar at MacArthur. It has a number spaces indoors and out to host your wedding, dedicated event staff and on site catering and can host up to 100 guests for both ceremonies and receptions.