Wente Vineyards 5050 Arroyo Road • Livermore • California 94550

Situated in a picturesque canyon at the southern end of the Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards Restaurant, Event Center and Golf Course is surrounded by grapevines, sycamore groves and rolling hills. The site, with its beautifully landscaped grounds, is a versatile setting for corporate retreats, special events, and of course, Tri-Valley Wine Country weddings!

Founded in 1883, Wente Vineyards is the country's oldest continuously operated family-owned winery. It's no wonder, then, that the architecture reflects a sense of California history. White Spanish-style stucco buildings are accented with tile roofs and floors, and terracotta pots full of flowering plants set a cheery tone. The event center includes the Cresta Blanca Room, where indoor receptions are held, and the adjacent Terrace Lawn, a pretty spot for a garden wedding ceremony. There's space here, too, for an elegantly tented reception. Or use an open-sided tent for dancing, and set up tables and chairs outside to enjoy the view, which includes the changing seasonal colors of the sycamore trees.

Speaking of views: One of the best can be had on the new Vineyard Lawn near a pond at the golf course's 18th hole. Ceremonies and receptions on this green expanse can accommodate up to 1,000 of your nearest and dearest; in the background, lush vineyards and the golden Sandstone Hills cast a romantic spell.

Wente's award-winning restaurant casts a spell of its own. Three private dining rooms and terraces with vineyard views accommodate intimate receptions, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers or any other celebration. Wente, which has been Green Certified by Alameda County, has earned much critical acclaim for its cuisine, wine and sustainability. (They're among the first wineries in the state to be recognized by the recently established Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.) Menus focus on simple foods with complex flavors, and incorporate the freshest locally grown and organic ingredients. Experienced staff will assist you with menu choices and wine selection, as well as recommendations for event services such as photography, floral design, and overnight accommodations.

Wente also offers private wine tastings in their wine caves (a superb idea for your rehearsal dinner) and customized wine labeling for wedding favors. Sometimes event hosts organize a round of golf on Wente's Greg Norman-designed course, located just a chip shot away from the Conference Center. In keeping with their environmental sensitivity, the course was recently designated a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" by the Audubon International Program.

With its first-rate facilities, acres of vineyards and warm, Mediterranean ambiance, Wente is an extremely popular event site. They book up quickly, so don't wait too long to pay this East Bay oasis a visit.