By Erin Frank

If you’re looking for eye-catching scenery, a destination escape for your guests, and great pours at your wedding, nothing beats getting married in wine country.  This week I had the good fortune to attend the wedding of William and Sabine Wallis at Calistoga Ranch in Calistoga, California.  About a two-hour drive from San Francisco, heading to Calistoga Ranch lets you pass (and stop in at) dozens of wineries in Sonoma and Napa Valley on your way to the wedding celebration.  The Ranch sprawls over 157 acres and encompasses 48 guest lodges and 23 owner lodges, private dining in The Lakehouse, which overlooks Lake Lommel, special events in The Wine Cave, and treatments in The Bathhouse Spa.

Cold drinks and parasols kicked off a sunny afternoon as guests gathered for the ceremony.  After the vows were exchanged we enjoyed cocktails on the lawn until golf carts arrived to carry guests to The Wine Cave.  The Wine Cave is a series of rooms carved into the hillside and is perfect for intimate special events. While you won’t see barrels of wine stored here, it has the feel of an authentic wine cave with all the amenities needed for a smoothly-run event.

Dinner was a smashing success.  With each course a new wine pairing was poured, and the food was excellent California cuisine with bright flavors and fresh ingredients.  Courses included Asparagus Salad with King Trumpet Mushrooms and Sherry Vinaigrette; Caramelized Diver Scallops with White Corn, Cherry Tomatoes, English Peas and Lemon Oil; and Pan Seared Salmon, Leeks Fondue, Cippolinis and Salsa Verde.  The scallop dish in particular was fresh and flavorful, with great local flavor in the vegetables. The whole meal was quite possibly the best I’ve ever had at a wedding.

The wine cave accommodated approximately 80 people at two long tables, leaving room for a modest dance floor.  Despite the generous pours of wine at dinner, the most popular area was the bar, located in an adjoining room with cozy chairs and a large table to gather around.

From an outsider’s perspective, the Calistoga Ranch staff was a team of events professionals, working quickly and efficiently to cater to every guests’ needs.  The whole look of it seemed casual yet chic, and certainly well in hand.  Even the bride and groom looked relaxed—a feat that receives high marks in my book when considering a wedding venue.  Guests staying overnight after the Saturday wedding had all day Sunday to meander home, tasting and trying at the various wineries, champagneries and restaurants that dot the Silverado Trail.  It was a fairytale ending for all…well, all of us who love champagne.

Calistoga Ranch

580 Lommel Road

Calistoga, CA 94515

(707) 254-2800

www.calistogaranch.com