winery weddings

When you think of California’s wine regions, Napa likely comes to mind. But there are so many more vineyards and tasting rooms throughout the state, from the redwood-rich towns of the north to Sacramento Valley and Temecula. Whether you left your heart in San Francisco or you’re in a SoCal state of mind, you’re guaranteed unforgettable views, fresh local food and free-flowing wine.

Pick a venue

The array of winery choices, with their varying styles and sizes, can be dizzying. To narrow it down, start by deciding which region you’d like to wed in—north, inland or south.

For a classic Northern California wine country affair, Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties are your best bets. In Sonoma, some of the most popular wineries include Cornerstone Sonoma (), Gundlach), B.R. Cohn (), Cline Cellars () and Kunde Family Winery (). Samar Hattar, founder of Blissful Events (), raves about the sprawling Cornerstone. “There are over 18 gardens on the property that each highlight something special about wine country,” she says. “From a vineyard and on-site wine tasting to art installations all over the grounds, you’ll be able to spend a whole day of delight here.” The modern art installations such as , an homage to 19th-century Chinese migrants, make for hard-tomiss photo opportunities (and interesting conversation starters for guests). Add a rustic barn and rolling-hill vistas and you’ve got yourself a top-notch spot to tie the knot.