Did you know you can get married at Pellegrini-Olivet Lane winery in Santa Rosa, CA? You may know it as a stunning yet affordable place to spend some time away from the busier parts of the Bay Area on a slow Saturday.
It’s a fabulous wedding venue in the heart of Sonoma County in the Napa Valley! Pellegrini-Olivet Lane has a rustic elegance kinda feel, with modern touches. It is one of the oldest pinot noir vineyards in the area and boasts so much else that’s unique.
The space allows for up to 300 guests and boasts a modernistic feel with an industrial-chic feel. Of course, there’s a peaceful vineyard feel, with rolling vines as far as the eye can see!
My favorite area is the outdoor, string-light lit reception area, nestled in the vines with gorgeous views at sunset. The sun disappears beyond the vines, setting the sky on fire just in time for your dining experience under the stars to begin!
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About Pellegrini-Olivet Lane
There are a variety of fully revamped, flexible spaces available at Pellegrini-Olivet Lane winery. You’ll have exclusive use of the site during the event hours.
There’s a newly-built ceremony garden (adjacent to the covered crushpad), which is where Ronnie and Ryan tied the knot. There’s the beautiful olive grove area perfect for cocktail hour. And a bridal party staging area for the final getting-ready touches.
Plus of course, that al fresco vineyard reception area.
For indoor options, there is the tasting room with its reclaimed wood and stainless steel tanks; the barrel room located inside the cellar doors; and the industrial tank room. This allows maximum flexibility. Whether you’re having an intimate wedding such as this one with about 40 guests or a larger affair, there’s something for your size, style and budget.
Unique features of Pellegrini-Olivet Lane
One thing that works well here is that the event time is a little less than many other venues, at 5 hours. This means you have either have shorter wedding coverage (if possible for your date), or ideally combine it with other events or a photography session. A later end time is available for any of you night owls.
For the layout of that aforementioned reception area, you can choose 60” round or 8’ queen’s tables for up to 100 guests. There are also slat wood folding chairs included for up to 100 as well.
Order of events at this wedding
Ryan and Ronnie chose to start with a photo session at nearby Vintners Resort which is also part of a group of venues that Pellegrini partners with Milestone Events Group to service). The combo felt very cohesive in its look and feel. This is where they were stayed the night before and got ready together, so it was convenient too!
Rather than having a first look per se, we dived into photos at Vintners which had so many pretty areas to wander around in.
On arrival at Pellegrini, there was a bottle of OLV Sparkling ready for them.
Guests arrived via shuttle and the short ceremony began, officiated by Ryan’s brother. Family & wedding party photos was the next item on the agenda. Then, the relaxed cocktail hour with 2018 Nakai Sauvignon Blanc and 2020 Nouveau Pinot Noir on offer.
After sunset photos, the newlyweds entered their reception and gave a welcome toast. Then, everyone enjoyed an exceptional meal, prepared by the excellent Pascaline Fine Catering. (Think Mirin-soy Glazed California Black Cod and their signature Beef Bourguignon with Bacon Lardon).
Formal (and funny) toasts ensued, with cake cutting and dances rounding things off. About 30 minutes of dancing rounded off my coverage, though the party continued a little longer.
About the wedding couple
These two handsome gentlemen, Ryan and Ronnie, chose Pellegrini Olivet Lane because it had it all – it’s charming and refined, elegant yet understated for this weekday wedding.
Ronnie is originally from India and moved to the US in 2013. Ryan is from Winnemucca, NV.
The couple attended graduate school together at Rice University, Houston, TX. Ryan was a PhD student in Robotics; Ronnie was a PhD student in Computer Security.
As friends that were not openly gay (or even out to themselves), they enjoyed hanging out at the bar with other friends from the department.
Ryan and Ronnie came out to each other over dinner at Ryan’s house in 2016.
They kept things private, due to cultural pressure and family resistance. Their love endured through almost 4 years long distance, due to Ronnie being in TN for work and Ryan in CA.
The proposal happened via text in April 2020 – why wait? They knew they wanted to be together. In September 2020, they had their virtual Zoom wedding. One year later, they had their celebration here at Pellegrini Olivet-Lane, an event they describe as “a very informal wedding celebration”.
Zoe Larkin Photography as your photographer for your Pellegrini Olivet-Lane wedding
The couple shared with me what they were looking for in a photographer:
“What we are looking from a wedding photographer, is just someone that would capture the candid, oh-snap, people letting go moment; we are definitely not into just standing and posing for photo kind, our wedding card photo is a selfie (all 3 of us) that Ronnie took in the kitchen.
We are not hosting a traditional wedding – this is more of a celebration”.
Definitely something I do! 🙂 It was a huge pleasure capturing this beautiful wedding at such a stunning Sonoma wedding venue. Especially working with such an excellent vendor team (scroll down for credits).
BIG congratulations, Ryan & Ronnie! 🙏🏾
Looking for more Sonoma wedding venues? Check out the link below:
Vendor Love
Photography Zoe Larkin Photography
Venue Pellegrini Olivet-Lane
Planning Milestone Events Group
Session location Vintners Resort
Attire Hive & Colony
Rings Tiffany & Co
Cufflinks It’s All About The Print
Catering Pascaline Fine Catering
Rentals Encore Events Rentals
Transportation California Wine Tours
Zoe Larkin
I’m Zoe, a wedding photographer based in San Francisco! My style is candid, capturing authentic moments for my couples all over the Bay Area and Northern California. Creating content is my passion! Follow along the blog and Insta!