The Highlands Estate

Frequently Asked Questions

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The Highlands Estate is a versatile venue that can host weddings, corporate events, family gatherings, and more. Our picturesque outdoor settings and elegant indoor spaces are perfect for any occasion.

Our wedding packages include access to the venue for the ceremony and reception, use of the two dressing rooms, tables and chairs, market lights, a dedicated venue manager for the day and so much more!

The Highlands Estate offers a range of amenities, including outdoor ceremony sites, indoor reception areas, two dressing suites, and breathtaking vistas.

Yes, we offer stunning outdoor locations for wedding ceremonies, including our beautiful vineyards and majestic Oaks. The scenic backdrop provides a perfect setting for your special day.

The Highlands Estate works with preferred caterers who offer a variety of menu options to suit your taste and budget. Exceptions can be made to bring in your own caterer.

We welcome DJs and live bands at The Highlands Estate.

Absolutely! We encourage prospective clients to schedule a tour of our venue. Please contact us to arrange a convenient time for you to visit and see the beautiful spaces we offer.

You can make a reservation by booking a Weekend Wedding Package.

Our required Vendor list can be provided after a site visit with us, and you have the flexibility to choose between the caterers and planners on the list (exceptions can be made for an additional fee).

Caterer (starting about $70 per person and up. We have partnered with seven fantastic caterers at a variety of price points with delicious menu options). Note that pricing is for “full-service catering” which includes food, labor, service charges, setup & reset, and trash removal. The BBQ caterer (which only does BBQ) would be the least expensive starting at about $70pp. Two of our caterers are in the range of $85pp to $150pp and usually provide buffet or family style service. The rest of our caterers will start at about $160pp and also offer plated service, multi-course dinners and even high-end wine pairings.

An Event Planner (can be a basic planner, starting about $2,500) We have basic through full event designers as part of our Vendor Collection.

Yes, a minimum of a basic planner is required. While prices vary depending on level of service, guest count and time of year, this service typically ranges from about $2,500 and $4,500. Read: The Importance of a Wedding Planner

Yes.

While we are a working vineyard growing Syrah grapes, we sell them to a wine maker. There is no corkage fee.

You will purchase the alcohol, however it must be served by a licensed bartending service (usually part of the catering company).

Yes, we include seating for up to 150 guests with our 12 custom-made farm tables, 5 round tables and 150 wood folding chairs for your reception.

Yes, we have fully ADA compliant men’s & women’s restrooms with multiple stalls. No need to rent porta-potties.

Yes, we have two separate dressing rooms, accessible at 10:00AM for up to ten people and at 1PM for the wedding party on the day of your wedding, providing plenty of time for photos before guest arrival.

Yes, as long as someone is dedicated to caring for and picking up after it. The dog must be on a leash before and after the ceremony. Unless ADA certified, guest may not bring their dogs (or any other animals) onto the property.

Yes, we’ve had many bands play in the Four Seasons Barn.

First dances can be outside on the Terrace, with the rest of the dancing inside the Four Seasons Barn. By having the dancing inside the barn, you are able to enjoy the benefits of our acoustically tuned sound system, the nightclub feel generated by controlled lighting, and the air conditioning or heating as necessary.

Due to the activities and events on the property, our tours are scheduled and by appointment only. Please request a tour here.

Simply send us an email with the date that you wish to reserve, and we will send you our contract. The contract signing process is similar to DocuSign and can be done on a computer or even a smart phone. At the time of signing, an initial 50% deposit is due to reserve your date.

At the time of signing, an initial 50% deposit is due to reserve your date, and the balance is due no later than four months prior to your wedding date. For the final 50% booking fee, you can notify us if you would like to break the payment into smaller increments. Fees for reserving the electric shuttle or booking additional hours is also due four months prior to your wedding date.

Many of our couples are from all over the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, For that reason, we created the Vendor Collection, which, beside our required vendors, offers suggestions for everything from florists to photographers to rehearsal dinner ideas. Upon booking our venue, we will provide the Vendor Collection.

We have an enterprise Wi-Fi system that covers most of our property. Depending on your provider, cell service can be spotty, however with our Wi-Fi, simply turn on Wi-Fi calling on your phone and you should be all set.

We include many items with the rental of our venue, from the farm tables and to seating for up to 150 guests, sound systems, market lights and umbrellas, fire pit etc. (Check our Amenities page for a complete list). You will need to hire a planner, caterer, DJ or band, florist, photographer and any other vendors you might need for your event.

We have multiple fully automated generators that are hard-wired into our facilities and connected to our propane supply so they will run for days on end.

Yes, we’re a working vineyard with acres of Syrah vines providing a multitude of photo opportunities.

Weekend Wedding Package Schedule

Friday

  • 3PM Check-in for guests staying at the Estate

  • Rehearsal at The Four Seasons

  • Rehearsal Dinner at The Four Seasons Barn or off-site

Saturday

  • 8AM - Vendor access

  • Morning - Estate guests get ready/hair & makeup

  • 1PM - Wedding party access to The Four Seasons Barn

  • 3PM or later - Guest arrival

  • 4PM - 10PM Standard Event Time. Up to two additional hours of extended time may be purchased; busing all guests is required for additional hour(s)

  • 10PM - Cleanup begins (or later if additional hours are purchased)

Sunday

  • Relaxed morning and breakfast for those staying at the Estate

OR

  • Farewell Brunch at The Four Seasons Barn or off-site

  • 12PM (Noon) Check-out for guests staying at the Estate1-hour rehearsal the day prior

Day Wedding Package Schedule

Day Prior - 1-hour rehearsal

8AM - Vendor access on the day of the event

10AM - Dressing Suite access for up to ten people

1PM - Wedding party access

3PM or later - Guest arrival

4PM - 10PM Standard Event Time. Up to two additional hours of extended time may be purchased; busing all guests is required for additional hour(s)

10PM - Cleanup begins (or later if additional hours are purchased)

8:00am on day of your event.

The Highlands Estate can accommodate wedding parties of up to 200 guests at the Four Seasons Barn location. The dining capacity inside the Four Seasons Barn is 133 guests; outside the barn up to 200. The Oak Tree ceremony location can accommodate up to 125 guests.

Yes, we have guest parking for approximately 50 vehicles out-of-sight near the entry of our property. For gatherings with over 150 guests, we recommend busing guests as we can accommodate buses to 40’ in length and they can be staged on-site and out of view of guests.

No vehicles can be left overnight. Please advise your guests of this policy. The gates will be locked at the end of your event.

The standard time is 10:00pm, however up to two hours of extended time, with music, may be purchased.

Yes - couples can purchase basic liability insurance for a nominal cost. We do suggest, but not required, additional insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances. All vendors are required to have insurance as well. Read: Do I Need Wedding Insurance?

The Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport (STS) is conveniently located about 40 minutes from our location and is served by American, Alaska and Avelo Airlines.

We are located about 1-1/2 hours north of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

Besides our on-site lodging, there is lodging minutes from our property and plenty of lodging (motels, B&B and Airbnb) about 15 minutes away in the town of Cloverdale.

Yes. We have handicap parking right at the Four Seasons Barn, ADA bathrooms and our wheelchair accessable golf cart, “Kermit.”

Yes, we provide one-hour for the rehearsal at a mutually agreeable time, typically the day before.

Yes. Please check our Amenities page for a complete list of everything we include.

They are aways welcome to walk, however a 14-person electric shuttle may be added as an option if your guests drive to our property. If guests are bused here, the buses will drop off and pick up right at the ceremony site.

We allow smoking and vaping in designated areas.

No.

Our venue is private and is yours for the day, with only your wedding taking place on that day.

Yes, however artificial flower petals – silk or otherwise – are not allowed and all petals must be removed by the end of the evening.

These would be rented through a local rental company or the caterer.

Yes, candles are allowed as long as the flame is completely contained in a votive. Tapered candles are only allowed with a glass dome cover for safety reasons.

Fireworks and sparklers are not permitted. We don’t want to scare the neighbors and we want to keep the fire department happy!

The Four Seasons Barn is an excellent option to hold your ceremony in case of rain. After the ceremony, the space is converted for dinner and dancing, while guests relax on the breezeway. For larger parties, the Terrace can be tented, providing a significant amount of weather-protected space.

Of course, this is somewhat subjective, but here’s a rundown of what’s going on in the vineyard throughout the year:

April – bud break is usually early in the month, and typically by the end of the month the green shoots are 10-12” long.

May – the vines are all green and filled in.

June through July – the vineyard is full and lush. Green grapes will appear in July.

August – the grapes will go through veraison, meaning they will change color from green to dark purple.

September – the green leaves may start to show some fall colors of yellows and red. The grapes may be harvested toward the end of the month.

October – the leaves will continue to turn to fall colors. If harvest hasn’t happened in September, it will happen in the first week or two of October.

November – beautiful fall colors.

December – March – the vines have no leaves.

While this may be possible, with the limited availability of ride- sharing drivers in the area, this may not be a reliable option and you could be stranded at the end of the evening.

Yes, you will provide all the alcohol for your guests: beer, wine and mixed hard alcohol drinks are all permitted. All alcohol must be served by a licensed bartending service, which is usually part of the catering company. Guests may not bring in their own alcohol.

No. While we grow grapes for winemaking, we do not make or sell wine, so there is nothing to purchase from us. You are free to purchase alcohol wherever you want.

Enjoy a relaxed weekend wedding at The Highlands Estate, a beautiful and private barn and vineyard weekend wedding destination. Create memories of a lifetime with the on-site lodging accommodations for up to twenty-two of your closest friends and family. Celebrate your wedding day with up to 200 guests while experiencing the spectacular landscape, situated on over 21 country acres, providing a multitude of vistas and photo opportunities. Having hosted couples originating from all over the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, The Highlands Estate is a true international destination and is conveniently located in the heart of Northern California wine country, just 30 minutes from Healdsburg and the famous Dry Creek Valley.

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