Callaway Vineyard & Winery

e promises made during the planning process were misleading, & there was a consistent pattern of getting different answers depending on who we spoke with. One of the biggest issues involved alcohol service. During our initial meetings, we specifically asked if we could serve hard liquor at our wedding. We were told, "Of course, no problem." Based on that information, we signed our contract with Callaway. Then, much closer to our wedding date, we were informed that we could not serve name-brand hard liquor & instead had to use their wine-based spirits. Had we been told this from the beginning, it absolutely would have impacted our decision to book the venue. Another major disappointment was the Barrel Room reception space. Before booking, we specifically asked whether it had air conditioning because our wedding was in June. We were assured that it did. During our reception, however, the room was unbearably hot. Guests were visibly sweating, and we repeatedly asked multiple staff members to turn the air conditioning on. Every person told us they would. After asking a fifth staff member, someone finally admitted that there is actually no air conditioning in the Barrel Room, it is simply "temperature controlled." Their solution was to open the large garage-style door to try to create airflow. It was far too little, too late. It was uncomfortable for us & our guests for much of the reception. Frankly, if that room is where wine is stored, I would question how "temperature controlled" it really is when over 100 ppl were sweating inside. We also had several planning meetings where we emphasized that we did not want long bar lines. We specifically requested that wine be passed to guests during dinner to help keep the bar moving. We were assured this would happen. It never did. Instead, our guests spent a significant amount of time waiting in very long bar lines throughout the reception. Another disappointment was the charcuterie display we purchased for cocktail hour. We paid for a board that was advertised to serve approximately 150 guests. What was provided was honestly enough for maybe 40 ppl. It was sparse, underwhelming, & gone almost immediately. It was embarrassing, especially after paying for a package intended to accommodate our guest count. Finally, on the morning of our wedding, we were informed that the bridal suite's air conditioning had "just gone out." It was difficult to believe this was a same-day issue. As a result, all of the bridesmaids had to move into the already crowded groomsmen's suite to get ready, forcing the groomsmen to leave and finish getting ready at an Airbnb. It created unnecessary stress on a day that should have been seamless. The venue itself is undeniably beautiful, and that's what initially drew us to Callaway. Unfortunately, beautiful scenery cannot make up for poor communication, broken promises, and operational issues. We spent a significant amount of money expecting the experience we were sold, and we simply did not receive it. My advice to any couple considering Callaway Winery is to get every single promise in writing and ask detailed follow up questions. Don't rely on verbal assurances, because our experience showed that what you're told during the sales process may not be what actually happens on your wedding day.