Sonoma Events: Rehearsal Dinners
You’ve secured your wedding venue, the hotel your guests will stay in, and an uber-organized event coordinator, but damn- you still need to book the venue for your rehearsal event. There are probably as many dreamy event venues as there are wineries in Sonoma Valley— and there are over one hundred! You could go the classic route and book a private dining room at a restaurant right on the historic Sonoma Plaza or a Tuscan-inspired, ivy-covered tasting room in Carneros. But, there are some more unique options for you if you’re looking to break the mold and create a truly one-of-a-kind experience for your guests.
BELTANE RANCH is a small bed and breakfast situated on a small working ranch and winery in the heart of Sonoma Valley’s Glen Ellen. They host beautiful weddings each Saturday between May and October and you need to inquire at least a year in advance to secure the special space. The ranch is truly a gem, and the family that runs it is world-class as well. In recent years, they’ve expanded their hospitality and now offer their space for corporate groups, Sunday dinners, food and wine tastings, and ATV tours. What does this mean for you? Even if you’re not getting hitched at the ranch, you can still inquire for an evening rental of the venue! Some event ideas at Beltane Ranch:
have their estate chef prepare a farm fresh dinner party right in the culinary garden,
organize a bocce tournament and a colorful grazing board to enjoy while overlooking the horse pasture and the sunset,
if your event is on a Monday-Thursday, rent all 6 rooms in the b&b and have your guests down for fireside dinner and wine in the cozy living room,
have late evening cocktails, hot chocolate, and s’mores at their firepits
BENZIGER WINERY is in the quaint village of Glen Ellen but just up a mountain road near Jack London State Park. This winery is on my list of preferred venues because there are simply so many site options and packages to choose from. They are the only winery in the area to offer a tractor-tram tour that guides about 30 guests per tram around the property to learn about its history, biodynamic practices, and wine making. Besides their two, long indoor tasting bars, they have an outdoor terrace with its own tasting bar, a wine cave furnished with long tables and candelabras, a hilltop “Parthenon” (yes, that’s right!), a beautiful white barn with vaulted ceilings, and several room rentals for more intimate groups. Here are a few of my recommended private party ideas:
book the Oak Terrace (fits up to 250 guests) and have a pizza party using their built-in earthen pizza oven,
plan a multi-course dinner and wine pairing in their 20,000 square foot wine cave. Don’t get lost!
take your guests on a tram tour around the property and have them dropped off in the Barn for hors d’oeuvres and a DJ
SONGBIRD PARLOUR is a new addition to Sonoma’s Wine Country list of extraordinary venues to host your next rehearsal dinner. While most of the Valley’s venues have an old-world French or Italian flare to them, Songbird Parlour is rich in Modern Victorian esthetic including plush velvet couches, golden palm floor lamps, ornate gilded mirrors, and a sleek, black upright piano. The space is classy, worldly, and downright Instagrammable. What makes this such a welcoming option is that the site includes practically everything you need to throw a party. There are a few expertly-designed rental packages to choose from, an in-house caterer, ample parking, an epic sound system, and three distinct, elegant lounges set up for you. If I were you, I’d organize one of these kinds of rehearsal dinner parties:
reserve the three cascading decks along the Sonoma Creek for hors d’oeuvres, photos, and speeches and then come up into the Parlour room for karaoke with a DJ,
get your immediate family together for a farm-to-table dinner by one of their award-winning chefs,
book a cabaret, drag, or magic show while sipping craft cocktails by in-house mixologist
For more hidden gem and unique private event ideas and itineraries, shoot us an email at info@songbirdparlour.com.
May all your party dreams come true!