When Lorenzo Trefethen of Trefethen Family Vineyards got married, he did so under the majestic, massive walnut tree in the middle of their Oak Knoll vineyards.
And then there was the wine, which celebrated his friends, family and the valley in which he grew up. His parents, John and Janet—some of Napa Valley’s earliest advocates—brought out birth-year bottles they squirreled away long ago. There were sparkling wines from Schramsberg Vineyards, served in Balthazar bottles. Their late-harvest Riesling was poured alongside cake, made with strawberries picked on the Silverado Trail.
Wine is an integral part of weddings. There are the toasts, raised to dear friends and happy couples. There are bubbles that underscore the ebullience of the occasion and glasses that empty as the night goes on and revelry continues.
You don’t need to choose rarefied wines to make these moments special, as memorable wedding wine moments can happen on any budget. It’s the day that will be remembered, touched lightly, and thoughtfully, by wine.
A Pre-Wedding Toast
Slip into your dress or suit up with something special in hand. Open a bottle that sets the mood for the day—maybe that’s sparkling wine, a cheery rosé or something you’ve been saving for a special occasion.
Start with Spritzes
Weddings tend to start early and stretch well into the evening. Serving hard liquor can lead to exhaustion or overconsumption, so start off the event with light, elegant wine-based cocktails. Spritzes, customized with fresh juice or fruit, are always a crowd favorite. Use a base of sparkling wine or opt for a refreshing twist with flavorful rosés or white wines, which will keep guests hydrated for the fun to come.
Keep zero-proof wines on hand to make any of the above drinks excellent for abstainers.
Approachable and Affordable
While a wedding is definitely the time to celebrate, keep in mind that during the festivities, no one is going to be sniffing and swirling. Don’t bring out the back vintages or budget-breaking bottles during dinner or dancing—stick to smartly priced, well-made bottles.
Mumm Napa offers an array of bubbles for every budget: floral sparklers for topping up spritzes and toast-worthy Brut bottles.
At $20 to $25 a bottle, Black Stallion Estate Winery’s entry-level Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs, Cabernet Sauvignons and Pinot Noirs drink well above their sticker price.
Bell Wine Cellars’ Scoundrel Red ($20), is a richly spiced Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah blend, perfect for pairing with barbecue, lamb and other boldly flavored dishes.
Memories, Etched
Caroline Stewart Guthrie married her husband, Blair, in Napa 10 years ago. They still have a soft spot for weddings. At their winery, Stewart Cellars, they’ll etch magnums with anniversary and other special dates and are happy to have couples spend time at the winery creating something for their wedding day.
“There’s a couple getting married in wine country next fall,” says Caroline. “They’re coming out this fall to help harvest a wine that will be custom labeled and served at their wedding. It’s a really unique experience leading to their big day. There’s usually a photographer along for the ride, too.”
Custom Labels
Wineries, like Trois Noix, offer custom-designed labels for happy couples or other special occasions. “We love to get creative,” says Trois Noix owner Jaime Araujo.
AXR Napa Valley, a historic estate with wine by renowned maker Jean Hoefliger, has a private label program, where couples can weigh in on a custom label and bottle half barrels or full barrels in either 750ml bottles or larger formats (up to 9 liters).
A Sparkling Statement
As a third-generation Napa Valley vintner, Trefethen’s wedding was best celebrated with a sparkling wine made down the road; he sabered a 12-liter bottle of vintage Schramsberg Vineyards at his pre-wedding pool party. Schramsberg Vineyards’ Hugh Davies lent him his large-bottle holster for the occasion, as well as his historic saber.
“Hugh gave me a few great tips for sabering such a large bottle, like making sure it was sitting in an ice bath for at least an hour before sabering,” says Trefethen, with a laugh. “It still took me three tries before it popped!”
A grand toast of sparkling wine—sabered, if you dare—is a triumphant way to celebrate your newly minted marriage. Schramsberg Vineyards, Chandon and Frank Family Vineyards all make bottles worth a celebratory pop.
Bigger is Better
Speaking of big bottles: What better occasion than a wedding to open something large and in charge? Bell Wine Cellars stocks 3- and 6-liter bottles, as does Trefethen Family Vineyards. Open them for a show-stopping moment, then move the wine into decanters for easier service.
Grgich Hills Estate has 5-liter bottles of 1986 Cabernet Sauvignon, 3-liter bottles of the 2016 Paris Tasting commemorative and 12-liter bottles of their 2021 Paradise Block—enough for all your loved ones.
If you are opening a bigger bottle on your biggest day, save it. Instead of a guest book, let your guests sign their love right on the glass with metallic markers.
Make It a Moment
However you decide to weave wine into your wedding day, be sure to take a moment together and enjoy a private toast to the memorable event you’ve put together, and to the many memories you will make in the future—hopefully over a bottle of your favorite wine.
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Picking the Right Wines
How do you ensure you have the perfect wines to backdrop the big day? Here are a few tips.
AVOID THE NICHE: Now is not the time to turn your aunt onto orange wine. Pick wines that appeal to everyone.
OVER ORDER: A good rule of thumb is one bottle per person. While that may seem like a lot, the rule ensures the bar doesn’t run dry. Besides, there should be plenty leftover to open on future anniversaries.
YOU CAN’T GO WRONG WITH BUBBLES: This is a celebration, after all. American-made bubbles offer all the ebullience and energy of Champagne, but with price tags that can snuggle into any budget.
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Giving the Gift of Wine
While wine helps fuel connection and celebration at a wedding, it’s also a thoughtful way to keep the memories flowing for years to come. Attending a wedding? Consider one of these wine-esque gifts for the happy couple.
BACK-VINTAGE BOTTLES: Do you know the year the couple met? Many wineries across Napa Valley have access to back vintages for just such an occasion. Priest Ranch has wines well into the early aughts, while Farella Vineyard and Trefethen Family Vineyards have generous cellars of bottles from the 1980s and ’90s.
CUSTOM-ENGRAVED GIFTS: Napa Valley Engraving will engrave decanters, stoppers, flutes, glasses and openers for the happy couple. Consider a custom box, engraved with their name and anniversary. Pop a bottle of something meaningful for the full effect.
ANNIVERSARY WINES: Are there special wines on the wedding table? Take note, and on their first anniversary, send a case of that cuvée to their home. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.
