Beautiful Vineyard Wedding Venues in California

If you’ve always been excited about the idea of having your big day set with a gorgeous vineyard backdrop, we have three words for you: California vineyard wedding. California is home to some of the most stunning vineyards up and down its stunning coast.

Whether California is home or a destination, you can find the right vineyard venue to turn your wedding fantasy into a wedding reality. In this guide, we’ll explore some amazing wedding venues in each region throughout the state.

Get to Know the Landscape: NoCal and SoCal Vineyard Regions

People may think of Northern California when they hear “wine country,” but Southern California is teeming with beautiful vineyards as well. Here are a few of the different hotspots:

• Northern California

  • Sonoma
  • Napa
  • Carmel
  • Bay Area
  • Half Moon Bay
  • Yosemite
  • Santa Cruz

• Southern California

  • Temecula
  • Escondido
  • Santa Maria
  • Paso Robles
  • Malibu

Along with exploring breathtaking vineyards in these areas, we’ll also walk through how to decide if a vineyard wedding in California is right for you, how to choose the right vineyard for you, and a few ways to cut down on the cost of a vineyard wedding.

Beautiful Vineyard Venues in California

Pour yourself a glass of your favorite red, white, or rosé, because we’ve got just the thing to help unlock all the flavors. Pairing well with everything from Moscato to merlot, here are eight vineyard venues that have been pre-screened and hand-picked right from the vine.

Garré Vineyard and Winery

Light and airy, much like a sweet sip of pinot grigio, this romantic locale is set against the backdrop of the Livermore Valley Wine Country. For couples looking to consolidate their ceremony and reception into one venue, it’s an ideal choice. Exchange vows on a lawn adorned with an arbor, colorful rose bushes, and meandering vines. Fuse golden hour and cocktail hour together on the patio before dancing the night away underneath the floral chandeliers of the ballroom.

Plus, there’s an event director on-site to help you coordinate everything from waitstaff and wares to set-up and clean-up. Aside from having direct access to the palette of flavors available at this winery (named in honor of the owner’s grandmother), here are a few more things you can look forward to:

• Capacity for up to 300 wedding guests
• On-site parking and wheelchair accessibility
• A pet-friendly space
• Built-in projectors
• Wooden and granite event bar

Wedding packages at Garré Vineyard and Winery start at $110 per person including hors d'oeuvres, a two-course plated dinner, and endless beer, wine, and cocktails.

Running Rabbit Ranch & Vineyard

Dinner with your partner and loved ones beneath the Sonoma sunset sounds pretty dreamy, right? Lucky for you, it exists in real life at the Running Rabbit Ranch & Vineyard. With views of western mountain ranges, grapevines, and lavender rose bushes, enchanting doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Sitting atop 11 acres of land, you’ll find a Victorian gazebo garden, rustic-chic barns, and bloom-covered trellises. Plus, this venue only books one wedding per weekend, so you’ll have plenty of access to the main space, as well as an additional area on-site in which to hold a rehearsal dinner before your big day. Here are a few more attractive selling points:

• Guest capacity of up to 150 people
• Plenty of space for both a ceremony and reception
• Open seating on the lawn, as well as covered patio seating
• A dressing room
• Bar and catering services

The rental cost for this rustic and relaxing vineyard is $9,500.

Black Oak Mountain Vineyards

When rustic countrysides and modern architecture collide, the result is Black Oak Mountain Vineyards. Appropriately located in Cool, California, this striking and sophisticated wedding venue boasts 150 acres of event space embraced by the surrounding mountains and overlooking rows and rows of gorgeous grapevines.

Perhaps one of the most striking elements of this vineyard is the infinity pool that wraps around the estate, complete with outdoor fire pits, lush lawns, and even a heated spa. Enjoy an intimate setting that radiates bohemian luxury with a number of additional perks including:

• Capacity for up to 80 guests seated and 120 standing (Modern Mountain Estate/Villa)
• Capacity for up to 200 guests as the Mountain Modern Barn
• Bar services and event staff
• Options to rent barware and standard chairs
• 4,000 square feet, with options to hold the ceremony, reception, and rehearsal dinner all in one place

Book the Modern Mountain Estate/Villa for $32,000 for a three-day weekend or the Mountain Modern Barn starting at $8,995 for nine hours.

Longshadow Ranch Winery

Rustic ranch meets whimsical winery at this Temecula-based vineyard. Longshadow Ranch Winery is not only charming but also an easy decision for couples in search of an all-inclusive option. Along with a woodsy, romantic feel, you’ll have access to a venue coordinator, plenty of tables and chairs, and a swoon-worthy setting for photos.

With recipes passed down across six generations, this winery features a wide variety of locally-grown grapes including Estate Cinsault, Sangiovese, and Petite Verdot, just to name a few. Guests will be able to enjoy these handcrafted wines along with:

• A generous capacity of 200 people
• Passed appetizers and a full-service buffet
• Wedding cake services
• On-site accommodations and parking
• A dressing room

Hosting a full wedding (with the ceremony and reception included) at Longshadow Ranch Winery starts at $1,500.

Villa San Juliette Vineyard & Winery

Founded by two Emmy-winning producers of American Idol, the San Juliette Vineyard & Winery is an awe-inspiring venue nestled amidst the grapevines of the Paso Robles region. Couples interested in booking this site will have their choice of two equally enchanting locations: the Front Lawn and the Barrel Room.

10,000 acres of manicured green space on the Front Lawn is ideal for couples accommodating a large guest list. Opt for an intimate, oak-infused setting at the Barrel Room, where guests will enjoy dinner and dancing alongside aging barrels of chardonnay. Consider these additional perks when making your decision:

• Capacity of 150 (Barrel Room) and 200 (Front Lawn)
• Bar services
• Event rentals
• Wheelchair accessibility
• WiFi on site

Wedding packages start at $5,500 or $8,000 for peak season soirees.

Forgotten Barrel Winery

Contrary to what its name may suggest, The Forgotten Barrel Winery is nothing if not memorable. Featuring stone walls, exposed beam ceilings, and impressive chandeliers, this venue exudes romance in every corner.

Plus, it comes with flexible options for couples caught between easy, all-inclusive offerings and a fully customizable blank canvas. With the all-inclusive package, you can enjoy everything from a DJ and cake to a fully furnished veranda for cocktail hour. The venue rental itself comes with its fair share of perks, too, including a day-of coordinator, dessert tables, farmhouse tables, and chivari chairs at the reception site. Beyond that, all guests will benefit from:

• A capacity of up to 100 people
• Umbrellas and heaters in the case of inclement weather
• Set-up and clean-up services
• Wheelchair accessibility
• Both valet and self-parking

Exchange vows amidst the Paso Roble grapevines with venue costs starting at $3,400.

Domenico Winery

Lovers and large groups can gather for an unforgettable affair at this warehouse-turned-winery located right in California’s Bay Area. With 20-foot ceilings, market lighting, and wine barrels lining the walls, the Domenico Winery is the perfect place for dinner, dancing, and dreamlike celebrations.

Plus, it’s serving up a couple of different menu options, including a Classic Beverage Package complete with four Domenico wines, bottled beers, and full bar staff, or the Lovebirds Beverage Package featuring signature cocktails for the betrothed couple, premium shelf spirits, and, of course, a selection of Domenico wines. Here’s what else there is to love:

• A spacious capacity of up to 350 guests seated and up to 700 standing
• Catering and wedding cake services
• Event coordinator and rentals
• Set-up and clean-up services
• A pet-friendly atmosphere

Bring your wedding visions to life at Domenico Winery with booking costs starting at $6,000.

Vineyard Wedding Venues You Should Know About in Northern California

Northern California is known for its beautiful rolling hills, crisp weather, and of course, its wine. So there should be no doubt that they know what they’re doing when it comes to a vineyard wedding.

When thinking about a wedding in Northern California, always consider the weather. Northern California is on the colder/crisp side, so you’ll want to take that into account when considering outside versus inside for the ceremony and reception.

If you’re looking for a wedding with tasty wine, breathtaking views, and endless photo opportunities, let’s explore some of your Northern California vineyard options:

Bay Area

The area surrounding San Francisco is rich with beautiful vineyard venues:

• Annadel Estate Winery: 6687 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa, CA 95409
  - Capacity: 125 indoors, 225 outdoors
  - Rental fee: $1,500-16,000

Sonoma

About 50 miles north of San Francisco, Sonoma is a Northern California gem. Check out these stunning Sonoma vineyards:

• The Barn at Harrow Cellars: 23570 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, CA 23570
  - Capacity: 275 guests
  - Rental fee: $4,500-14,5000

• Viansa Sonoma: 25200 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, CA 95476
  - Capacity: 200 indoors, 400 outdoors
  - Rental fee: $2,500-11,000

Napa

The all-star wine-producer of the state, Napa is a must when considering vineyard weddings in Northern California.

• Harvest Inn: 1 Main Street, St. Helena, CA 94574
  - Capacity: 75 indoors, 120 outdoors
  - Rental Fee: $6,000-10,000

• Eagles Vines Vineyard and Golf Club: 580 South Kelly Road, Napa, CA 94558
  - Capacity: 100 indoors, 250 outdoors
  - Rental fee: $1,250-6,000

Carmel

A few hours south of San Francisco, Carmel is an oceanside getaway perfect for wine lovers looking to celebrate their wedding.

• Carmel Valley Ranch: 1 Old Ranch Road, Carmel By The Sea, CA 93923
  - Capacity: 250 indoors, 400 outdoors
  - Rental fee: $8,000-15,000

• Bernardus Lodge and Spa: 415 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
  - Capacity: 150 indoors, 200 outdoors
  - Rental fee: $1,000-5,500

Half Moon Bay

Fresh sea breezes pair beautifully with wine and wedding days. Check out this Half Moon Bay vineyard venue:

• Thomas Fogarty Winery and Vineyards: 18501 Skyline Boulevard, Woodside, CA 94028
  • Capacity: 200 guests (currently only offering outdoor ceremonies)
  • Rental fee: $5,000-13,500
  • Great for small weddings

Yosemite

One of the state’s most beloved natural treasures, Yosemite also has stunning vineyards to offer for your special day:

• Saluti Cellars: 7505 Grizzly Flat Road, Somerset, CA 95684
  - Capacity: 150 guests (currently only offering outdoor ceremonies)
  - Rental fee: $1,500-5,200

• Sequoia Mansion by Wedgewood Weddings: 643 Bee Street, Placerville, CA 95667
  - Capacity: 250 guests indoors and outdoors
  - Rental fee: $400-2,600

Santa Cruz Though more famous for its beach boardwalk, Santa Cruz’s beautiful grey-blue waters and towering redwoods make for a perfect backdrop for a romantic celebration.

• Bargetto Winery: 3535 North Main Street, Soquel, CA 95073
  - Capacity: 100 indoors, 150 outdoors
  - Rental fee: $2,200-4,000

Vineyard Wedding Venues You Should Know About In Southern California

The main difference between a vineyard wedding in Northern California and one in Southern California is the weather. Southern California offers a much warmer climate than Northern California.

Because of this, Southern California generally offers a wider range of wedding dates to choose from. In the fall, spring, and winter the temperature is typically a fresh 60-75 degrees; in the winter, it gets as low as 50 degrees.

Southern California is also a nice option if you like the idea of guests having access to the beach, too. The warmer beaches in Southern California are stunning and if guests are traveling from far away, they could easily incorporate a trip to the water into their travels.

Here are some of the amazing vineyards to choose from in Southern California:

Temecula

Temecula is a wine country jewel nestled halfway between LA and San Diego. Check out these vineyards:

• Morgan Estate: 37005 Galway Downs Drive, Temecula, CA 92592
  - Capacity: 200 guests (only offering outdoor events)
  - Rental fee: $7,300-10,300

• Europa Village: 33475 La Serena Way, Temecula, CA 92591
  - Capacity: 75 indoors, 250 outdoors
  - Price: $79-125 per guest

• Oak Mountain Winery: 36522 Via Verde, Temecula, CA 92592
  - Capacity: 150 indoors, 200 outdoors
  - Rental fee: $1,500-2,500

Escondido

Just a bit north of San Diego, Escondido offers a few little-known vineyards you’ll love. Bonus? San Diego’s Safari Park is based in Escondido, so even the ones too young to enjoy wine can have some fun in Escondido:

• Forgotten Barrel Winery:1120 West 15th Avenue, Escondido, CA 92025
  - Capacity: 100 guests indoors and outdoors
  - Rental fee: $4,000-7,000

• Milagro Winery: 18750 Littlepage Road, Ramona, CA 92065
  - Capacity: 50 indoors, 200 outdoors
  - Rental fee: $5,700-9,500

Santa Maria

Santa Maria is SoCal’s best-kept vineyard secret. Check out these beautiful vineyard venues:

• Cottonwood Canyon Winery: 3940 Dominion Road, Santa Maria, CA 93454
  - Capacity: 200 indoors and outdoors
  - Rental fee: $4,500-6,500

• Presqu’ile Winery: 5391 Presquile Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93455
  - Capacity: 125 indoors, 300 outdoors
  - Rental fee: $7,000-25,000

Paso Robles

Paso Robles—beautiful small-town vibes entwined with beautiful grapevines. What more could you ask for?

• Cass Winery and Vineyard: 7350 Linne Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446
  - Capacity: 200 indoors and outdoors
  - Rental fee: $14,500-22,500

Malibu

Sand, surf, and sauvignon blanc—this perfect combination for your wedding day can be found in Malibu.

• Malibu Solstice Vineyards: 28230 Agoura Rd Suite 200, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 - Capacity: 200 outdoors
  - Rental fee: $5,000 - 9,000

These are just a few amazing vineyard venues that might fit your wedding. To find more, check out Zola’s pre-screened wedding venues to narrow down the search.

Is a Vineyard Wedding in California Right for You?

The setting for your wedding will be one of the biggest decisions that you make. Of course, you want to pick the most magical place, but it’s important (though not as exciting) to think through the logistics of the places you’re considering.

Choosing a vineyard will have a tremendous amount of upsides, but make sure to be realistic and think through the possible complications.

If you’re on the fence about whether or not a vineyard wedding is the right style of wedding for you, here are a few things to help you decide:

• Budget: What is your budget, and are there venues within this range?

• Weather: A major upside to a vineyard wedding is the views, getting to walk the grounds, and the endless photo opportunities. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, you may lose a lot of the magnificence of choosing a vineyard.

• Location: Is California convenient for you? Is it convenient for your guests?

Follow your intuition and trust your instincts, but don’t be afraid to give it an extra push to make it work if it’s what you want.

How to Choose the Right Vineyard Wedding Venue for You

Once you have your heart set on getting married in front of a backdrop of hanging grapevines and rolling hills, how do you decide which is the right vineyard for you? Here are a few ways to help you decide which vineyard is the best fit for your wedding:

• Vibe with the Staff: You’re going to spend a fair amount of time communicating with the venue’s staff. Make sure they’re professional and easy to communicate with.

• Take a Virtual Tour: A lot of venues offer online tours, a strong first step to weed out venues during the first round. Of course, you’ll still want to tour your top choices in person, but you don’t want to waste your time seeing places that you would have ruled out online.

• What Does the Package Include: It’s worth comparing the different packages your top choices offer.

• Is it Convenient for Guests: Are there hotels and restaurants around that you can recommend to your guests?

• Be Specific: The more specific you are about what you want your venue to have, the more your options will narrow.

How to Throw an Awesome Vineyard Wedding

Once you’ve gone through the tough, but rewarding process of picking the right vineyard for your special day, you’ll want to ensure that you’re going to utilize the day and the space in the best of ways.

Here are a few ways to make sure the day is as memorable and magical as you hope:

Utilize the Landscape and Views as Much as Possible: After all, that’s the main reason you chose it, so get your money’s worth.

• Research: Learn about the vineyard you chose. What makes it special? Also make sure you know about any rules and regulations they might have for the day, especially whether or not there’s a specific time that a noise regulation begins.

• The Bar: Not all guests are solely wine drinkers, check in with your vineyard and see what their policies are regarding serving other types of alcohol at your wedding.

• The Land: Make sure you plan for what people will be wearing and where they will be walking. Stilettos don’t do well on grass. If there are dusty, rocky roads, you might want to avoid those in your wedding shoes. If there’s a muddy area, see if it can be avoided or if the venue can lay carpets down.

• Small Details: Have fun with the little things. Deciding on the color of the guest’s table tags may seem tedious and unnecessary, but these details get noticed—especially when they round out the overall theme of the wedding.

• Weather: Be prepared with a backup plan in case it rains, but also be prepared in case it’s hotter than expected. Many vineyards don’t have a ton of shaded area, so plan for some sun. See if the venue can provide some shaded seats. Provide sunscreen for your guests.

• Food and Wine: Vineyards are known for their breathtaking scenery, but don’t forget to also make use of the possible food and wine pairings—your guests will thank you.

• Keep the Party Going: Many people have only had the pleasure of visiting a vineyard during the day. If the timing makes sense, you could all experience the beauty of a vineyard lit up at night.

Most importantly, you want to make sure your wedding feels like you and rings true to how you always envisioned your day would be. An important step to seeing this through is adding your little touches along the way.

Browse Zola’s Wedding Boutique for the special details that are going to make your wedding feel unique to you. Find everything from jewelry, to party favors, to accessories—and so much more.

Ways to Cut Down on the Cost of a Vineyard Wedding

Maybe you’ve always dreamed of getting married on a vineyard, but assume that it’s way out of your budget. It doesn’t have to be. Here are a few ways to save:

• An Experienced Vineyard Wedding Planner: Find someone who knows the ins and outs of the vineyard wedding game. They’re the ones who know exactly which corners to cut and which ones to preserve. They will know the best affordable vendors, and they’ll be the most helpful in making sure everything you get is beautiful but doesn’t break the bank.

• Keep Rentals Basic: Since you’ll be getting married around such natural beauty, you won’t need as much added beauty. Cutting down on flowers and other decor could save you money without taking anything away from the experience.

• Simple Food Menu: There are many thrifty ways to feed your guests very well without spending top dollar.

• Keep It Small: Maybe a quaint, intimate wedding is more your speed. The fewer guests you have, the lower your final bill will be.

• Stay True to Budget: Don’t budge on your budget. Figure out what you’re able and willing to spend on your wedding, and then use that to help you find the right vineyard and vendors for you.

• Eliminate Superfluous Expenses: Go through every detail of the wedding, and see where you might be able to shave a few things down. Maybe you could have guests drive themselves, since shuttle services can be a hefty expense.

The best way to stay on budget is to keep everything organized. Use Zola’s Wedding Guest list manager to keep track of everything guest-related, including RSVPs and meal preferences. Use it as a way to update guests on everything wedding-related—hotel reservations, time changes, and weather updates. It’s also helpful for sending out thank yous after the wedding.

Zola: Your One-Stop Wedding Shop

Wedding planning can be the most exciting time in your life. After all, you’re planning to gather all of your favorite people and celebrate you and the love of your life as you embark on a future together. But with all of the options and decisions that come along with a wedding, sometimes keeping everything organized gets a little tough.

Let Zola be your one-stop-shop for everything wedding related:

• Free Wedding Website: Make it easy for guests to access all of your information in one convenient location.

• Guest List Manager: Keep track of your guests’ mailing addresses, RSVPs, meal preferences, and so much more.

• Wedding Venue and Vendor Finder: Search through Zola’s pre-screened vendors and venues to find places you’ll be able to put your trust into on your special day.

• Wedding Registry: Your wedding registry has never been easier than on Zola. Guests can give you gifts, experiences, and donations all in one convenient location.

• Wedding Boutique: There’s a ton of little accents, gifts, and decorations that you’ll need for the day of your wedding. Zola has brought all of these little details into one convenient location for you to choose from.

• Wedding Albums: The day of your wedding will be an incredibly special one that you will want to remember every detail of. Putting these memories into a wedding album is the way to do it.

• Wedding Advice: Feeling stumped? From the smallest to biggest wedding decisions, Zola’s wedding expert advice is there to help you move along in the process.