Viviana & Alex at The Meritage Resort

Ceremony among the Vines with full formal reception in the Wine Cave

October 2017

The October fires in Napa Valley didn’t hold up this wedding! We were thrilled that the smoke from the recent devastating wild fires had cleared just in time to have Viviana and Alex’s wedding ceremony outside.

Sonja had worked with Viviana and Alex in Chicago for over six months to plan this weekend-long event for their families. They started their whirlwind weekend with a “Welcome Party” at Napa Palisades Saloon. Then, Sonja assembled a full-day of wine tasting for the whole group, including transportation and lunch under a 150 year old oak tree on a private estate. The wedding party enjoyed private tastings at Artesa Winery in the Carneros district, Domain Chandon in Yountville, and Merryvale in St. Helena.

The Wedding itself was held at the Meritage Resort & Spa in South Napa under the famed Grape Crusher statue that welcomes visitors to the Napa Valley. The Meritage built a beautiful, rustic Tuscany-inspired columned gazebo in amongst the vines for an idyllic wine country ceremony space. The fall colors on the vines were reflected in the tasteful bouquets created by Erica Grube of EV Floral Design.

Following the ceremony, the couple and their guests retreated to the Meritage’s own 3,900 square foot estate wine cave below the ceremony site. The full reception and dance party – with the bride & groom’s favorite DJ flown in from Chicago just for the event – raged on till 1:00am. And since it was all underground, no worries about disturbing the neighbors! <wink!>

The wedding weekend was capped off with a Farewell Brunch on the patio at Fumé Bistro – a locals’ favorite.