August 1, 2019
So far we haven’t found one single venue that has all the characteristics that we are looking for. Every place is different and has its own unique feature. What makes the search complex is the season. According to all the venues that we’ve visited, expect rain in March. With that in mind, we don’t want to take chances. We want an indoor ceremony and an indoor wedding reception.
No appointment set because it was not on our initial list of prospects, we visited the Ledson Winery & Vineyard after it was mentioned by my kid’s friend. It’s very close to Chateau St. John.
Known as The Castle
OMB walks to Ledson Castle. It’s soooooo hot!
I walk so slow. The property manager is already waiting at the door.
Cathedral-style doors and windows
The foyer is dominated by two massive sweeping staircases
There is a gourmet marketplace selling souvenir gift items, wine, sandwiches, pasta, salami, cheeses, olive oil, etc. They also have a bar and a wine-tasting room.
Most venues have a landscaped garden for the wedding ceremony and an indoor events hall for dining. Ledson Winery and Vineyard is no exception. This French Normandy Castle designed by the CEO, Steve Noble Ledson, only has the great lawn for the ceremony and the indoor reception area that could only accommodate a small party of 50 people which is surprising because this castle is 16,000 square feet. One would think that they would have a grand ballroom. But the owner built this castle to complement their winemaking business, and not selling weddings.
He opposes too many events to be held in Sonoma Valley because of the traffic it would create up and down the valley.
Bye Ledson Castle, moving on to the next prospect.
