If you can’t honeymoon in Tuscany… then by all means, marry and honeymoon in Sonoma County and specifically at Vintners Inn located in Santa Rosa, California.  The Vixens enjoyed the most delightful overnight stay at Vintners Inn – the accommodations are gorgeous!  Sitting on a balcony, sipping wine while gazing over acres of vineyards with the sounds of a nearby fountain (I even heard a tree frog croaking), was pure bliss.  This hotel property can be conveniently reached by the main highway, but is far enough away from the middle of town to feel secluded and allow for immersion in the wine country lifestyle.

The beauty of this property is obviously the Inn.  It feels spacious, but actually has just 44 deluxe guest rooms.  Beautiful gardens and meandering pathways, plus the vineyards are always in view.  The Italianate buildings surround a central courtyard with a beautiful fountain in the middle.  Benches and chairs encircle the fountain for quiet moments of reflection, or for meeting with your family and friends and catching up on news.  It’s really a perfect gathering place.

For lucky brides, there are two outdoor ceremonial lawns to choose from.  We have included a couple of photos… an Italianate pillared Pavilion or an intricate metalwork Gazebo.  Both structures can be adorned with flowers or even a chandelier. The views of the gardens and vineyards are breathtaking.  And a great bonus is that Vintners Inn will provide helpful parasols to shade those needing protection from being “under the Tuscan sun.”  After the ceremony, each location offers a lovely walk to either the reception site for a smaller intimate garden dining room in the award-winning John Ash & Co. restaurant, or for larger groups, the main Ballroom.  On the walk to the Ballroom, an impressive hand-crafted Italian Marble fountain beckons photo ops.  Guests can enjoy appetizers on the patio surrounded by luscious gardens, and sit by the fire pit and outdoor oven before enjoying a sumptuous celebratory dinner prepared by John Ash & Co.  The wine list is impressive with mostly Sonoma County wines.

Like being in an old European city, there is a 35 foot bell tower to Vintners Inn and when the wedding is over, the bells will ring!  How cool is that!

Thank you Shannon Cosgrove-Rivas of Flourish for capturing many of these photos and thank you to the staff at Vintners Inn for a fantastic overnight experience.

~ Vixen Lora