Wine Tasting Tour hosted by

Beth Sogaard Catering

(http://www.chefbethcatering.com/)

Avio, Terra d'Oro, and Young's Vineyards

Steve Lach with Beth Sogaard Catering was more than a joy to spend the day with. He planned this perfect outing for me, Lora Ward with A Day to Remember, Kendra Pfeiffer-Wershing with Pfeiffer Event Planning, Laurie Schmalzel with Laurie Schmalzel Events, and Darcie Swedelson with A Dazzling Day. A day in the limo consists of almost nothing but wedding talk and each stop was filled with wine tasting and site research.

Avio Winery

http://www.aviowine.com/

Avio Winery is one of my new favorite locations for weddings. This property has to be seen in person and in the spring it is so much more stunning. The owners of Avio, Stefano and Lisa, are a joy to spend time with and open their property to brides for their special event.

The views from one of the optional the ceremony sites are spectacular. This site can accommodate up to 200 guests and has multiple options for the ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner, and other intimate gatherings.

Terra d'Oro Winery (previously Montevina)

http://terradorowinery.com/

is another outdoor winery option for weddings in the Amador area.
The outdoor covered reception space can accommodate up to 200 guests and has the advantage of an overhead arbor for us designers who love to hang fabrics and unique lighting!

They have a stunning Barrel Room that can accommodate up to 500 guests. This could be ideal for a larger wedding of 200-300 guests since the room size can be varied by moving wine barrels.

Young's Vineyard

http://www.chefbethcatering.com/

Young's Winery is a fantastic clean slate to design with and plan strikingly different events. This open, lush, grassy area overlooking the pond can accommodate up to 200 guests if using it for the ceremony and reception sites. The options are endless. The bride enters through the grape vines for the ceremony and the guests face the pond for the best views.

I especially love the two tiered patio. Great option for another ceremony site. I am a fan of separating each event of the evening so the guests transition from space to space for each new experience.

Don't hesitate to call me if you have any questions on these beautiful sites!

Two other Calistoga wineries

Here are the other two wineries we checked out. Each has a banquet facility for events and weddings.

Dutch Henry Winery is a beautiful spot just off of the Silverado Trail in Calistoga. We loved the bocce ball court and lined olive tree driveway.

4310 Silverado Trail
Calistoga Ca 94515
http://www.dutchhenry.com/

Cuvaison is a beautiful property with tasty wines. We were lucky enough to have Travis with Cuvaison pour and educate us on their wines. I, of course, just had a sip of the brides tasting! I just found out that Trader Joe's is currently carrying Cuvaison's Chardonnay that we tasted ($27 in the tasting room and $14 in TJ's).

Cuvaison Winery

4550 Silverado Trail

Calistoga, Ca 94515

http://www.cuvaison.com/

Calistoga Wineries

Saturday was a full day of rehearsal dinner site searching in Calistoga. The concept is to find a great winery in Calistoga (near the wedding site) to invite the wedding guests to the afternoon prior to the wedding day. Tour, taste and enjoy a uniquely romantic European style picnic lunch. Each guest will be offered a hosted tour of the winery, tastings of the current flight of wines, and then everyone will group together and sit on the grassy lawn to enjoy some good food and good company. Each unique picnic basket will be lined with a custom fabric clothe and filled with sparkling water, baguettes, meats, cheeses and other treats for the guests.

We viewed three wineries and the decision was simple for the bride. She chose Clos Pegase Winery.

Here are some photos of the winning winery.

Clos Pegase

1060 Dunaweal Lane

Calistoga, Ca 94515

http://www.clospegase.com/

National Magazine Decor photoshoot

How can you go wrong with a fun theme titled "Spanish Love?"

This is my fourth feature photo shoot table setting design for Ines Del Mar Weddings (http://www.inesdelmar.com/).

I couldn't ask for a better team to work with either.

Jennifer with the Memory Journalists (http://www.memoryjournalists.com/) photographed the shoot and Martha Andrews with Blooms (http://www.bloomsbymarthaandrews.com/) designed and created the gorgeous florals. Other contributors include Classic Party Rentals (http://www.classicpartyrentals.com/), BBJ Linen (http://www.bbjlinen.com/), Bella Vita Invitations (http://www.bellavitainvitations.com/), and Jewelry by the Glass, Designs by Lisa and Lisa (jewelrybythglass@gmail.com).

The home we used for the shoot is a custom private residence in Auburn. Luckily the home exterior colors were a shade of orange and turquoise.

Thanks to everyone who helped with the shoot!