From picking vendors and choosing outfits to all the other little details, wedding planning is a full-time job. But one task we can simplify? The venue.

Wineries and vineyards provide a gorgeous backdrop, and their wines can make your drinks menu a breeze. Your vendor is essentially on site, which can help with planning and logistics, as well as provides a unique experience for guests.

You don’t have to fly to Tuscany or Champagne to enjoy a most picturesque vineyard wedding. You don’t even have to choose California (though there are some great options there too, highlighted below). Here are some of the best places for your vineyard wedding across the U.S.

Cielo Farms | Malibu, California

With Tuscan-inspired architecture and property that spans 30 acres, Cielo Farms features magnificent views of the Santa Monica Mountains that will create a picture-perfect wedding day. The space can accommodate up to 200 guests and wedding coordinators on staff will take care of every detail, from lighting to valet parking and menu design.

The venue overlooks hundreds of olive trees and grape vines, with a rustic stone barn as the focal point and hub. Pours offered for wine club members include the winery’s Cielo Estate and Woodstock Collection wines. With an intimate feeling high above Malibu, the location is a gem, and the sunset over the hills can’t be beat.

Charles Krug | St. Helena, California

Charles Krug is one of only six wineries in Napa Valley legally allowed to host a wedding, due to an obscure law from the 1980s. But if you’re a fan of beautiful estate grounds, vineyards and incredible wine, it’s hard to beat. It’s the oldest winery in Napa Valley, and also home to California’s first tasting room, which opened to the public in 1882 (the estate itself dates to 1861).

The winery offers an iconic experience. Expect grandeur, but with comfortable Napa Valley charm. Wedding packages offered include use of the Carriage House, Guest House and Great Lawn.

Francis Ford Coppola Winery | Geyserville, California

Francis Ford Coppola has a rich history in wine. The lauded director’s family has made wine for decades, and Coppola’s winery in Geyserville has long been the site of rehearsal dinners. But the winery has just started to host weddings for 350 or more people, surrounded by the beautiful views of Sonoma’s Alexander Valley.

Looking for a smaller ceremony? Its sister property in Geyserville, Virginia Dare Winery, hosts smaller weddings for up to 150 people and also features amazing views. Brides can toast with a glass of sparkling Sofia, included with their bridal suite, and guests can enjoy the estate’s signature wines.

Maysara Winery & Momtazi Vineyards | McMinnville, Oregon

Located in the famed Willamette Valley about an hour’s drive south of Portland, Maysara Winery has one of the largest indoor and outdoor venues for weddings in the area.

Surrounded by Momtazi Vineyards’ 532 acres (with 260 under vine), the winery’s stone-and-wood facade creates a great backdrop for any wedding. Whether small and intimate, large and lively, rustic or traditional, the staff at Maysara will accommodate. Family owned and operated, the winery focuses on biodynamic processes that allow the vineyard and farming to dictate the direction of its wines. Say cheers with a glass of its sparkling Pinot Noir-based rosé for a truly unforgettable experience.

Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery | Dahlonega, Georgia

Set among the vineyards atop rolling hills that offer views of the North Georgia Mountains, a wedding at Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery is truly something. Located less than 60 miles from Atlanta, the family owned and operated winery has hosted weddings since its first harvest in 2002.

The space hosts up to 60 private events per season, though it schedules just one wedding per day to ensure private access to the estate. And with three coordinators and Southern catering provided by the winery’s in-house team, logistics are a dream. Don’t let your guests miss a memorable sunset over the stunning Georgian landscape.

Columbia Winery | Woodinville, Washington

Columbia Winery is one of the largest winery venues in Washington State, and can accommodate up to 225 guests for seated events (and up to 300 for standing reception-style events), with both indoor and outdoor spaces. Columbia Winery has produced food-friendly wines for 50 years, which will pair well with whatever your chosen cuisine from a list of approved local caterers.

You can also recruit one of the estate’s wine educators for the occasion. The winery is located just 30 minutes from Seattle, in the heart of Woodinville wine country.

Note: The barrel room is only available during peak season (as it can get quite chilly), so take timing into consideration if you’re planning to use the space for photos.

Biltmore Winery | Asheville, North Carolina

Nothing says “historic North Carolina” like the Biltmore Estate. However, many don’t realize the property also boasts a winery. The 8,000-acre property hosts up to 175 ceremonies and receptions per year across 10 venues.

The Champagne Cellar at Biltmore Winery is an intimate option for up to 30 guests, perfect for small ceremonies or rehearsal dinners. Guests arrive through the winery entrance beginning in Antler Hill Village and follow a stone corridor to the cellar, illuminated by warm candlelight. Enjoy a celebratory toast with Biltmore’s sparkling wine from Chardonnay grapes crafted in the traditional méthode Champenoise style. A variety of other Biltmore wines are also served at an open bar and during dinner.

Ciccone Vineyard & Winery | Suttons Bay, Michigan

Close to Traverse City, Michigan, Ciccone Vineyard & Winery has been a place that’s created wine and memories since 1995. Owned and operated by Silvio “Tony” Ciccone, the father of pop icon Madonna, and his wife, Joan, the winery is known for its fruit-forward European style of wines, with 14 varieties offered on site.

Situated atop of one of the most picturesque hills in Leelanau County, it’s one of the more gorgeous wedding settings in Michigan. There’s a restored, turn-of-the-20th-century barn that opens up to rolling hills of vineyards. Beyond that are sweeping views of the West Grand Traverse Bay that will keep your photographer happy. As this is Michigan, the winery staff always has a contingency plan in the event of rain.

Lost Oak Winery | Burleson, Texas

Just about 20 minutes outside of Fort Worth, Lost Oak Winery sits on three cultivated vineyards and 52 acres in the banks of Village Creek, surrounded by oak trees. The wines are well-regarded both locally and beyond.

The venue has received rave reviews from couples looking to tie the knot, and it offers both outdoor and indoor wedding areas. A large event space features high ceilings, stained concrete floors, and large bay windows that overlook the vineyards and a pond. There’s also a cocktail room and bride and groom suites. All guests receive a complimentary glass of wine upon arrival, and reclaimed wine barrels will enhance the visual appeal of your space, or help mark the boundaries of the dance floor.

Wölffer Estate | Long Island, New York

If you’ve seen an Instagram photo of a supremely picturesque vineyard on Long Island, chances are good it was Wölffer.

This Hamptons-based winery and vineyard has produced wines, ciders and spirits since 1988. Its rosé has become a darling among wine lovers in recent years—you’ve almost certainly seen the floral-etched Summer in a Bottle rosé. Weddings that take place at its 55-acre vineyard in Sagaponack are custom experiences the winery will help plan in every detail. All weddings are capped at 175 people, while a minimum of 50 guests are required to book.

WINE ENTHUSIAST MAGAZINE
– BY SAMANTHA LEAL
Published on June 14, 2019