The Journal

Best winery wedding venues in California

We are SO lucky here in Southern and Central California; there are some truly some stunning spaces for hosting weddings, and because we also have some of the world’s best wine-growing areas, it’s almost a no-brainer for couples to say “I do” at one of MANY gorgeous wineries and vineyards. We wanted to share some of our favorites, so here are our picks for best winery wedding venues in California!

Grassini Family Vineyards wedding

Grassini Family Winery

When Kiersten and Ruairi, who are also wine club members at Grassini, selected this spectacular setting for their 2017 autumn wedding day, we were in gorgeous, golden Santa Ynez heaven. Martha Stewart Weddings agreed, as they featured this wedding earlier this year!

Firestone Vineyard wedding

Firestone Winery

Another Santa Ynez Valley gem, Firestone boasts truly stunning grounds (and we were treated to an incredible sunset for Kelsey and Andrew’s wedding in early spring).

Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate Vineyards

Perhaps one of the most picturesque spots in Malibu (which is saying a lot), the estate seems to watch over the rest of the Malibu Canyon, sitting above early morning fog and featuring a “mountaintop” photo op that has become an iconic shot for brides and grooms (like the one above of Jackie and Robert!).

Triunfo Creek Vineyards 

We just adore Triunfo grounds, and it’s truly a perfect spot for a full wedding day celebration (ceremony and reception, with plenty of space for cocktail hour mingling). And sunset isn’t too shabby, either; it was cloudy for most of Amy and Brian’s wedding day, but the sun peeked out just before dark to give us some beautiful light for portraits!

Gainey Vineyard wedding ceremonyGainey Vineyard wedding portraits

Gainey Vineyard

We were just at Gainey for Niki and Mike‘s jaw-dropping wedding in October, and we highly recommend renting a Cloud Climber Jeep to transport you into the fields behind the tasting room — that’s where we found the prettiest photo opportunities for Niki and Mike’s sunset portraits!

Hammersky Vineyards

Now we’re heading a little north, to Paso Robles, which is one of California’s most incredible wine-producing regions. Hammersky is a gorgeous estate set among the vines; it’s a perfect spot to tie the knot, and the light is a photographer’s dream!

Rava Wines 

We got to visit Rava‘s lovely property last summer for a special shoot with The Wedding Standard magazine, and it’s a polished, modern space for wedding festivities, but still boasts the rustic beauty of vineyard surroundings for beautiful photo ops!

Halter Ranch vintage barn wedding photosHalter Ranch barn weddingHalter Ranch Winery wedding

Halter Ranch 

Another Paso Robles winery, Halter Ranch is a newer option for couples looking for a vineyard setting for their wedding day. It’s a large property with lots of options (two different barns, a covered bridge, silo patio, and Victorian gardens), and we loved their grand opening with The Wedding Standard!

Did we miss any of your favorite winery wedding spots? Let us know!

Ready for more inspiration?