From Vows in Vineyards to Vino Spa Therapies, 5 Wedding Destinations for Wine Lovers

Wine and weddings just go together. But beyond raising glasses to celebrate the newlyweds, there’s even more opportunities for oenophiles and their guests to weave wine into wedding week celebrations.

From group grape stomping and on-point pairings with boutique Mexican wines to pre-wedding, wine-centric spa treatments in Napa Valley and exchanging vows at venues nestled in scenic Georgia vineyards, several North American properties within the ALHI portfolio are ideal for wine-loving couples. 

Chateau Elan Winery & Resort in Braselton, Georgia: Say ‘I Do’ Amid Vines

Just northeast of Atlanta and in the shadow of Georgia’s foothills, couples wedding at Chateau Elan Winery & Resort will find fairytale-like vignettes at every turn—from the lush vine-striped grounds to the 16th century-styled chateau.

Southern hospitality meets a French countryside feel at this luxury destination resort, and the award-winning winery offers more than 30 wines made from grapes grown in the private vineyards. That means guests can toast to the newlyweds with flutes of Sweet Giggles Sparkling Wine that has soft notes of peaches and enjoy grape-to-glass vino paired with chef-curated menus during receptions.

Couples saying “I do” have several gorgeous wedding venue options at this 3,500-acre resort. These include the Rose Garden where red roses and the lush green vineyards set the scene as well as the Vineyard Pergola, which comes with sunset views over the estate’s westward vines. Discover more options inside, such as the historic Cask Room that boasts barrel-lined walls and is a one-of-a-kind setting for an intimate ceremony or reception.

Grand Fiesta Americana Los Cabos All Inclusive in Mexico: Stomp grapes and enjoy Baja wine pairings

Known as Mexico’s Napa Valley, the Valle de Guadalupe produces 80% of Mexican wines. While grapes have been cultivated on the Baja Peninsula for five centuries, the region’s tempranillos and Chenin blancs remain largely undiscovered by the masses because so many of the area’s producers are boutique wineries.

As a tribute to the ancient winemaking process and the unique Baja grapes that grow in this fertile region, Grand Fiesta Americana Los Cabos designed a “Barefoot Elegance Dinner.” Couples have been incorporating the experience into their wedding celebrations as an oenophile's alternative to a traditional rehearsal dinner.

The experience begins with grape stomping inside a half barrel to mimic the traditional way of extracting the juices from the fruits. Then, spa therapists invite participants to relax and enjoy a foot reflexology massage with ocean views. Next, a sommelier guides a wine pairing, with a trio of award-winning Mexican wines paired with hors d'oeuvres. The multi-sensory experience closes out during the golden hour with a four-course menu that complements the wines.

Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe near Houston: Wine-Themed Packages for Bridal Parties and Groomsmen

A margarita at Margaritaville is a must. But did you know that Texas is the fifth-largest wine producing region in the United States? Even more, now is an especially exciting time to sample wine in the Lone Star State because there’s an ambitious movement to make the state’s wine more reflective of Texas' unique terroir.

Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe happens to be located in the heart of the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail, where wineries are nestled amongst rolling hills, with wildflowers carpeting the Texas countryside. The resort has partnered with Bernhardt Winery—a Tuscan-style boutique winery with a 20-acre estate—to offer a number of packages and experiences that have become popular with bridal parties and groomsmen.

Among the ideas? A Lake Conroe Winery Tour that includes private transportation to and from three wineries, with a glass of wine at each stop, a Bernhardt Winery souvenir glass and a hangover kit. Or the Sunday Evening Concert Series package includes tickets to enjoy live music at Bernhardt, a complimentary wine flight, reserved seating and overnight accommodations at Margaritaville.

Couples can also stock their reception bars with bottles from the Bernhardt’s Antiquity Wine Collection, which includes indigenous varieties like cabernet francs, rosés and chardonnays that are as close as possible to their genetic originals grown in the same area.

The Meritage Resort and Spa and Grand Reserve at The Meritage in Napa, California: Custom Bottles and Group Wine tours

Those celebrating their wedding weeks in wine country have plenty of bespoke options at The Meritage Napa, including unique wine and vineyard activations and vino-centric spa treatments leading up to the big day on top of the beautiful vineyard venues fit to host nuptials.

At Trinitas Cellars, the resort’s on-site winery and vineyard, couples can customize their own wine labels and groups can partake in wine blending workshops. Other hands-on courses include chocolate truffle making or cheese making—the perfect accouterments for crushed grapes.

While there’s plenty to do on the grounds, the resort can also arrange wine tours and tastings for groups, with special focuses like off-the-beaten path boutique wineries. Then, when it’s time for some pre-wedding R&R, Spa Terra harnesses wine’s antioxidants in a number of treatments, like a crushed cabernet scrub during the Vinorefined Body Treatment. Wedding Day yoga sessions can be customized to take place amid the resort’s 9-acre vineyard or by candlelight in the cool Estate Cave.

The Meritage Napa offers several wine and vineyard venues, including the Estate Cave that has a unique barrel-shaped ceiling illuminated by iron-wrought chandeliers and the Vineyard Deck that’s tucked among the vines and features a Tuscany-inspired columned gazebo. For a personal touch to wedding decor, couples can feature branded wine barrels throughout their venue.

Silverado Resort & Spa in Napa, California: Champagne Towers and Wine Decor

Couples can customize their weddings in wine country at Silverado Resort in Napa with champagne towers, sparkling wine toasts, and sommelier paired rehearsal dinners. The classic Napa Valley resort can also arrange to deliver welcome bags to guests that include a bottle of the couple’s favorite wine.

Set on 1,200 acres of rolling oak groves and vineyards, Silverado Resort offers idyllic Napa Valley wedding venues including The Grove that’s set between oak trees and flowing gardens and the Mansion Gardens, which are flanked by vines and a garden area that’s perfect for wedding ceremonies. The Bocce Courts offer a unique space for wedding guests to enjoy the outdoors and celebrate the happy couple.

The resort is also taking note and accommodating some up-and-coming wedding wine trends, such as wine tasting stations during cocktail hours as well as flutes, corks and other wine accents are used in seating chart displays. For those celebrating a wedding weekend in Napa Valley, Silverado is also a great launch pad for tasting tours as there’s more than 400 nearby wineries.

Learn more about Destinations Weddings by ALHI and subscribe to our newsletter.