There is a reason why people come to the Napa Valley to get married.
And whether the couples tying the knot realize it or not, wine is a central figure.
At least that’s how Kelly McLeskey, owner and creative director of A Savvy Event, explains it. The luxury planning company, which primarily operates in Napa and Nashville, Tennessee, centers on “destination experiences” meant to leave a lasting impression.
Evoking the Mediterranean coastline of the French Riviera or Tuscany, McLeskey said couples are compelled by Napa Valley’s ability to emulate those locations. And much like those European destinations, wineries create an ubiquitous facet of the storytelling process and fulfill this “lifelong dream” couples want to tell.
“What is unique about Napa Valley is the landscape and the romanticism of it,” McLeskey said in a telephone interview. “This place tells a romantic love story. I always say to my clients, ‘Wine is like poetry in a bottle,’ and I think that’s what attracts people to Napa Valley. It’s beautiful here and it’s telling a story, so this is where people want to tell their story.”
For Sonia Oliver, founder and lead planner of Under the Vine Events, wine is one of the most crucial components of a wedding.
The Napa-based boutique wedding and design planning company, founded in 2019, is rooted in her experience growing up in a large family. Coming together to celebrate and enjoy good food was central to her upbringing. Adding wine is not only a natural addition to this philosophy, but can elevate the party in many ways.
“In my opinion, the top five most important elements of a great wedding are bride, groom, family, friends, then food and wine,” Oliver wrote in an email to Inside Napa Valley. “What better way to kick off the celebration than by popping open a bottle of Napa sparkling and greeting guests with a glass as they arrive at the ceremony? ... With it being the most important day of a couple’s life, tensions can be high and wine never fails to lighten the mood, bring people together and get the shy ones on the dance floor.”
Just as important as the landscape, Napa Valley’s diverse range of wedding venues is a crucial element in the planning process.
This is true for Yountville’s Domaine Chandon, one of only a handful of wineries licensed to host weddings in Napa Valley, according to general manager Stéphane de Meurville. In its newly updated Yountville home, Chandon boasts “sweeping vineyard views, modern yet warm architecture, and spaces that feel intimate and elevated.” Yet again, the ubiquitous vineyards not only serve as a backdrop but also dictate much of the meal planning process.
“Napa Valley’s natural beauty is unparalleled, welcoming and organic,” de Meurville wrote in an email. “The rolling vineyards, green hills and the golden California light makes wedding couples feel immediately relaxed and at home. Beyond the scenery, guests to Napa have access to world-class wines, including Chandon sparkling, of course, incredible food, and unique wine country experiences that make wedding celebrations truly memorable.”
As de Meurville notes, sparkling is always “the star wine for a wedding” and characterizes it as “festive, versatile and perfect for toasts.” Most couples gravitate toward Chandon’s Brut and Rosé for “a true taste of California,” or for an elevated option, select reserve wines like Blanc de Blancs or Étoile, de Meurville adds.
For a deeper meal planning perspective, Oliver adds that for first courses and salads, it’s an even split between Sauvignon Blanc and chardonnay. With the main course, Cabernet Sauvignon remains the main choice, but Oliver notes some couples opt for Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel or Merlot alongside their dinner menus.
McLeskey notes the trend of couples in recent years steering toward a diverse range of alcoholic options beyond wine and, increasingly, a dry bar. Whether it’s a generational shift away from alcohol or exposure to a vast range of options, McLeskey said mocktails, beers and spirits are becoming increasingly popular.
Oliver reinforces that mocktails drive appeal because of the limitless combinations of ingredients like strawberries, watermelon, prickly pear, basil, lime, cucumber, ginger and lavender. Additionally, non-alcoholic options like hoppy waters, craft beers and non-alcoholic juice from wine grapes are also gaining popularity, she adds.
But for all the shifting tendencies toward other drinks, McLeskey adds that Napa Valley is famous for its wines for a reason. Coupled with its rich culinary scene, McLeskey said nothing pairs quite as well as wine as a meal option, but also drives home the storytelling element every wedding needs.
“I did a wedding and the couple explained, ‘No one is going to drink wine at our wedding. We will have a bunch of beer drinkers,’” McLeskey said. “Well, it turned out, most everybody ended up drinking wine and barely had any beer. There is a reason why they are coming to Napa Valley. They are coming for the full experience and romanticism that is surrounded around wine and culinary excellence. They all work together.”
