There's a lot to love about the idea of getting married at a vineyard. For starters, there's the wine (which is a pretty convincing argument on its own). Then there are the beautiful estates, the sprawling grounds, and the fact that vineyards tend to be located in some of the most spectacular parts of the world. It's not exactly difficult to see the appeal. But while we have nothing against a traditional vineyard wedding, we've recently come across a few places that take the whole idea in a rather unexpected direction.
We're talking about wineries built into former stone quarries and estates with contemporary art collections that could rival a museum's. Even architectural masterpieces that just happen to produce very good wine. They're not necessarily what comes to mind when you picture a vineyard wedding venue, and that's exactly what makes them so interesting. So we've rounded up 10 of the most unique vineyards around the world that also happen to make pretty incredible places to get married.
Herdade do Freixo
When you think of vineyard architecture, an enormous underground concrete spiral probably isn't what comes to mind. But that's exactly what you'll find at Herdade do Freixo in Portugal's Alentejo region, where most of the winery is actually built beneath the vineyards. Inside, there's this incredible spiral structure, with sweeping concrete curves that, if you're familiar with the Guggenheim in New York, might remind you a little of its famous interior. It's certainly not what you'd expect to find at a winery, but it makes for a pretty spectacular wedding venue, particularly if you love modern architecture and want somewhere you can really get creative with the design. The winery can accommodate up to 100 guests indoors, or 200 outdoors, where you'll have the surrounding Alentejo countryside as your backdrop. If your taste leans more contemporary than traditional, this is definitely one to have on your radar.
Can Axartell
Can Axartell in Mallorca, Spain, is part vineyard, part former stone quarry, and that unexpected combination is what makes it so interesting. You still have all the things you'd hope for from a vineyard, including beautiful grounds, olive groves, and the surrounding Mallorcan countryside. The winery itself, though, is built into an old stone quarry, with contemporary architecture that's pretty incredible to look at. But just wait until you see the limestone space that connects to the winery. It's almost cave-like, with enormous curved walls and these beautiful, irregular openings in the ceiling that let natural light pour in from above. It's an incredible setting for a wedding reception, particularly with one long dinner table stretching through the space beneath those sculptural ceilings.
Château La Coste
If you love contemporary art almost as much as you love a good glass of wine, Château La Coste might just be your dream wedding venue. Set among the vineyards and countryside of Provence, this 600-acre estate is as much an art destination as it is a working winery. Across the property, you'll find works by some of the biggest names in contemporary art, including Louise Bourgeois and Richard Serra, just to name a few. There's even a Frank Gehry-designed outdoor music pavilion, which should give you some idea of the scale of things here. And with so many different spaces to work with, it's a particularly exciting option for a full wedding weekend. Think a welcome dinner, a day of wine tasting, perhaps a pre-wedding pool party, and of course, the wedding itself. Your guests certainly won't be short of things to explore.
VIK Chile
Some hotels really do look too good to be real, and VIK Chile is one of them. Perched on a hilltop overlooking the vineyards of Chile's Millahue Valley, this contemporary hotel has an enormous sculptural metallic roof that looks almost like it's floating above the building. Then there are the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, which make the most of the incredible views in just about every direction. And the setting is something else entirely. You're in a secluded valley surrounded by vineyards, mountains, and thousands of acres of protected landscape. With 22 individually designed rooms in the main hotel, plus private glass bungalows, it's the sort of place we'd be looking at for an intimate destination wedding, particularly if the idea of having your guests stay somewhere this extraordinary sounds appealing.
Hotel Marqués de Riscal
We've already covered some pretty impressive architecture on this list, but it's hard to compete with a hotel designed by Frank Gehry. In the heart of Spain's famous Rioja wine region, Hotel Marqués de Riscal is instantly recognizable thanks to the enormous twisting ribbons of titanium that seem to spill over the building. It's quite a sight against the traditional vineyards and historic surroundings, and arguably one of the most interesting places you could choose for a wedding in wine country. There are 61 rooms, so your guests can stay right on the property, along with terraces and event spaces for the celebrations. And, of course, being in Rioja means there's no shortage of very good wine to serve.
Babylonstoren
Not every vineyard on this list has to look like a contemporary art museum to earn its place. Take Babylonstoren, a historic Cape Dutch wine estate in South Africa's Franschhoek Wine Valley. Here it's the traditional whitewashed farm buildings, beautiful gardens, and surrounding mountains that make it so special. The whole property has this wonderfully relaxed feel to it, despite being an incredibly polished place to stay and celebrate. And if you're someone who loves the idea of a long-table wedding dinner, you'll especially appreciate the Old Cellar. This beautifully restored space can seat around 100 guests at one very long table, which, if you ask us, sounds like a pretty wonderful way to spend your wedding evening.
Capofaro
A vineyard wedding on a Mediterranean island? Yes, please. Capofaro is located on Salina, one of Italy's Aeolian Islands, and rather than the rolling countryside you might normally associate with a vineyard, here you're looking straight out onto the sea. The estate is surrounded by Malvasia vines, with whitewashed buildings, a historic lighthouse, and views of the volcanic island of Stromboli in the distance. It's an incredibly beautiful combination, particularly if you've been torn between getting married by the water or somewhere surrounded by vineyards. There are intimate terraces overlooking the Mediterranean where you can host your celebrations, and around 25 rooms for guests staying on the property. We'd happily make a whole weekend out of this one.
The Vines Resort & Spa
For a destination wedding that feels like a proper getaway, The Vines in Argentina's Uco Valley has quite a lot going for it. Set across 1,500 acres at the foot of the Andes Mountains, this luxury wine estate has a resort and spa, beautiful outdoor terraces, and plenty of space to host a celebration surrounded by vineyards. For something more private, there's also The Sanctuary, a 10,000-square-foot residence set on six acres of its own vineyards, with five suites, a private pool, and space for a wedding of up to 150 guests. And with Francis Mallmann's famous open-fire restaurant, 7 Fuegos, on the property, the wedding food could be a pretty memorable part of the experience, too. It's the sort of place where a wedding could easily turn into a three- or four-day celebration, with wine tastings, horseback riding, and traditional Argentine barbecues all part of the experience.
Bruma Wine Resort
A winery built around a 300-year-old oak tree isn't something you come across every day, but that's exactly what you'll find at Bruma Wine Resort in Mexico's Valle de Guadalupe, where the architecture is every bit as interesting as the wine. Designed by architect Alejandro D'Acosta, the winery is built into the surrounding landscape, with an underground wine cellar hidden beneath a shallow pool of water. It's a pretty incredible piece of design, and the rest of the estate is just as interesting. For weddings, there's Casa 8, a private eight-suite villa surrounded by vineyards and ancient oak trees, with a swimming pool, beautiful courtyards, and outdoor spaces for celebrating. There's also Fauna, the estate's acclaimed restaurant, which makes the prospect of hosting a full wedding weekend here even more appealing. Between the wine tastings, incredible food, and contemporary Mexican architecture, there's plenty to keep your guests occupied beyond the wedding itself.
Pt. Leo Estate
There's something pretty incredible about the idea of getting married at a vineyard that also happens to have its own world-class sculpture park. And that's exactly what you'll find at Pt. Leo Estate on Australia's Mornington Peninsula. Set across 330 acres overlooking Western Port Bay, the estate is home to an impressive collection of contemporary sculptures, including works by Yayoi Kusama and Kaws, scattered throughout the grounds. But there's plenty to love beyond the art collection, especially when it comes to planning a wedding. The estate has two restaurants, including the fine-dining Laura and Pt. Leo Restaurant, where enormous windows make the most of the sweeping coastal views. There's also the Wine Terrace, overlooking the vineyards, sculpture park, and Western Port, which would make a pretty incredible setting for a welcome reception. And for a larger celebration, the estate can be booked exclusively, with seated events for up to 150 guests.
