4.9
Verified reviews from real couples
Imagine Your Dream Wedding Here
Holds ceremonies and receptions
We got married at Early Mountain in October, 2025, and honestly both the process and the day itself could not have gone better. We enjoyed working with several Early Mountain team members, including Josh, Melissa, and particularly Sophia who was always responsive to all the little questions we sent her way. The venue is gorgeous, and we were able to transform the venue into our perfect space for our wedding. The food was delicious: many guests told us how impressed they were with the food. The greatest challenge was choosing which of the delicious options we wanted to go with. They adjusted to a few last minute changes in seating and always handled every request we made with total professionalism and ability. Early Mountain holds a cherished place for us after our beautiful wedding, and we’re sure it will do the same for you.
Caroline L.
5.0
We had our wedding at Early Mountain Vineyards and it was wonderful. Nikki is amazing, quick to respond, thorough, and personable. We loved every moment of our day, we definitely felt so spoiled well cared for by her, the facilities team and the kitchen team. Thank you for everything!
Taylor C.
5.0
EMV Events Team
MANAGER
Typically responds within 24h
AWARD WINNER (4X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Early Mountain Vineyards is a wedding venue located in Madison, VA, just a 30-minute drive away from Charlottesville. Showcasing sweeping views of the Blue Ridge foothills, the vineyard allows couples and their loved ones to admire the state’s natural beauty as they celebrate. The venue’s majestic, modern facilities are complemented by luxurious amenities and world class cuisine and wine, making it an ideal spot for milestone moments. To see the property’s highlights for themselves, the personable staff welcomes to-be-weds to visit their idyllic grounds.
With 305 lush acres to call their own, Early Mountain Vineyards offers a bucolic, retreat-like setting for once-in-a-lifetime occasions. The venue consists of versatile event spaces bordered by picturesque landscapes that make for nature-filled photo opportunities all year round. Ceremonies can take place on the Great Lawn, which is highlighted by native plants, limelight hydrangeas, and leafy trees. As you exchange vows, panoramic views of wine country will be your backdrop. This open-air site, connected to a landscaped terrace, can also be used for al fresco cocktail hours. After saying “I do,” you and your partner can celebrate with up to 200 loved ones in the Event Hall. Complete with bright stone walls, an impressive fireplace, and exposed ceiling beams, it offers a stately setting for dining and dancing. Whether you’re envisioning it adorned in bright floral arrangements or boho-chic details, the event space is versatile and customizable to your event aesthetic. The vineyard features a charming Guest Cottage, tucked away within grapevines. Here, you and your loved ones can prepare for your day’s dazzling highlights. After the festivities draw to a close, you and your partner can then enjoy a romantic night here together as newlyweds.
To help you host an unforgettable celebration, the hospitality staff at Early Mountain Vineyards offers an array of services. Day-of coordination is available for a seamless event experience. Elegant white wooden chairs and maple Chiavari chairs with ivory-damask cushions will be provided for your ceremony and reception. Additionally, tables of different styles and sizes are available. Patio furniture, including tables, sectional couches, heaters, and firepits, will be supplied to relax in the vineyard’s open-air event spaces. To accentuate the venue’s rustic aesthetic, decorative items such as arbors, Prescott lanterns, wine barrels, and bistro lighting can also be made available. For your reception, the in-house catering team, led by Executive Chef Tim Moore, prepares stunning meals. Their menus are inspired by seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and are accompanied by flexible bar packages.
What You'll Love About Early Mountain Vineyards
Couples love this venue for its stunning beauty and picturesque ceremony spots. They also love the convenient all-inclusive packages. To learn more about the amazing staff, check out the reviews.
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Settings
Garden
Mountain
Vineyard & Winery
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks
Destination Weddings
Food & Catering
Service Staff
Awards and Affiliations
4-Time 'Best of Weddings'
2020.2015.2014.2013.
Best of Weddings
The Knot independently assesses vendors for this award—it’s never self-reported. We base it on firsthand experiences from real couples and guests, and they must have a 4.5-star average across 7+ reviews in the qualifying year.
Hall of Fame
Earned by winning 'Best of Weddings' four or more times.
Join couples who chose award-winning vendors for their wedding
Meet the team
EMV Events Team
Manager
We (Sophia & Nikki) are your Wedding & Events Team at Early Mountain Vineyards! Collectively we are the back bone to all weddings and additional property events throughout the year. We each have our own strengths but find that working together is when we are at our best! We strive to deliver excellence to everyone we have the pleasure of working with.
Reviews
4.9
out of 5.063 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help
you make those big decisions with ease.
Caroline L
5.0
7/05/2026
We got married at Early Mountain in October, 2025, and honestly both the process and the day itself could not have gone better. We enjoyed working with several Early Mountain team ...
members, including Josh, Melissa, and particularly Sophia who was always responsive to all the little questions we sent her way. The venue is gorgeous, and we were able to transform the venue into our perfect space for our wedding. The food was delicious: many guests told us how impressed they were with the food. The greatest challenge was choosing which of the delicious options we wanted to go with. They adjusted to a few last minute changes in seating and always handled every request we made with total professionalism and ability. Early Mountain holds a cherished place for us after our beautiful wedding, and we’re sure it will do the same for you.
Taylor C
5.0
6/10/2026
We had our wedding at Early Mountain Vineyards and it was wonderful. Nikki is amazing, quick to respond, thorough, and personable. We loved every moment of our day, we definitely f...
elt so spoiled well cared for by her, the facilities team and the kitchen team. Thank you for everything!
Any questions?
Pamela B
5.0
12/28/2024
Early Mountain was the first and only venue that my husband and I looked at for our venue. It had been too many years since I had been there but we both knew that as soon as we pu...
lled up and walked in the front door to meet Sara for an initial appt to look at the venue we both knew that Early Mountain was the place! It was perfect in every way for what we were looking for and loved that they provided a listing of preferred vendors they work with regularly as recommendations for any elements they do not offer. Sara was our day of coordinator and we could not have asked for anyone more perfect to be placed with us! From start to finish of the process Sara and the venue was so organized and really made the entire experience easy and so incredibly organized. The atmosphere…...the food (which guests are still talking about months later!)…….the staff was just pure perfection! Thank you so much Early Mountain team and a special thank you to Sara for making sure our day was absolutely perfect and for being such an important part of it!
Joseph L
5.0
10/31/2023
This was truly one of the most joyous days of our lives. We absolutely loved working with Early Mountain! The venue is truly stunning, with the mountains in the distance and the wh...
ole premise for our nearly 200 guests, which included a lovely cocktail room and beautiful dining reception. All the photos online are true. The downstairs rooms were also incredibly useful for the guys to quickly change as needed and for our babysitters to take care of the numerous infants we had (dark, quiet places to help them sleep while the adults continued to dance the night away). The cottage that my wife and I got to stay in was so comfortable and a refreshing way to begin married life. All the staff we worked with were very clear about how the process worked from start to finish. And Sara, our day of coordinator, did an incredible job managing everything! In the truest way she kept us sane and made sure everything ran smoothly, even with the numerous additions and little twists we added to the usual ceremony. We couldn't have done it without her.
We will always remember Early Mountain and will likely be revisiting (they have a great restaurant!) to reminisce on one of the best days of our lives!
Alexandra B
5.0
3/26/2023
I can't say enough good things about our experience with Early Mountain. Everything from the initial tour to the wedding was what we imagined. We used their day-of planning service...
s and everything went smoothly and stayed on time. They helped us have the stress-free wedding of our dreams!
Hannah V
5.0
6/20/2022
Choosing early mountain vineyards was the BEST decision. There is very little you need to do to, because everything is already GORGEOUS, and picture perfect. Also, Sara and her tea...
m make the whole experience and planning process easy. They take so much off your plate. I still can’t believe how many behind the scenes things they did and handled to help our day go off without a hitch. These are very experienced professionals, as well as the sweetest people. Thank you for everything, EMV!!
Kate L
5.0
1/29/2022
So many great reviews for a reason - Early Mountain is somewhat of an unknown gem compared to other Charlottesville area venues and lucky for me it was, because I was able to snag ...
a date! The modern yet rustic aesthetic is elevated and beautiful, requiring so little in terms of decor because it's already on point. Sara and the EMV staff are wonderful to work with, very professional, and managed logistics flawlessly (even as our timing got really off throughout our wedding evening). The on site cottage is perfect for getting ready and a special wedding night, and adds a level of convenience and ease to have a home base. Catering, delicious. Service impeccable, plenty of servers and no bar waits (which is so important for guests). I cannot recommend EMV highly enough. A bonus, they have the best wine in the area - full stop. We are now wine club members!
Stef P
5.0
11/21/2021
Sara and the EMV team could not have been more wonderful to work with. I started talking with them in august 2019, chose the venue in September 2019 and then had to postpone my wed...
ding due to the pandemic. Sara made the whole process so easy, and was so graceful, kind and thoughtful in all of our interactions. She went above and beyond in every aspect, far surpassing my expectations to ensure my husband and I had a great day. We also became wine club members and went to the venue often and always had great interactions with the staff. They are all genuinely helpful and kind.
The venue itself is beautiful, and made for the most dreamy winter wedding. The wine is spectacular. The food is top notch and delicious. The cottage next door makes getting ready/ the night of so easy and convenient. It has ample space and everything you could need!
I could not have been happier with my experience at EMV!
Mercedes A
5.0
11/20/2021
Choosing early mountain for our wedding venue was by far the best decision we made. We didn’t know of the vineyard prior to looking at venues and it has easily become our favorite ...
spot. The wine is so smooth (and I’m not a wine drinker). The food is mind blowing. The service is beyond- I mean everyone is so genuinely nice AND they do synchronized service for dinner- what more can you ask for?? The venue is just gorgeous without decor and stunning with decor. They have fireplaces- I mean….. talk about a gorgeous addition to an intimate wedding ceremony and reception. You and your newly official boo get to stay at the cutest cottage right next to the venue night of as part of the venue deal- so goodbye worrying about where you will stay and hello to a beautiful sunrise on the mountains! And don’t even get me started on the day of coordinator that you get to work with when you book… Melissa made our day so easy and wonderful. I can brag for days about her alone. Seriously. I did not have to worry about a thing on my big day. Nothing at all. I couldn’t even tell you if something went wrong because it was never brought to my attention- it was handled and the night carried on. I always thought you had to pay BIG bucks to have a wedding planner to get that type of attention to detail and flawless flow throughout the day. Nope- it’s included!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I could do it all over I would in a heart beat because it was an absolute dream. Also, do not forget to ask about a late night snack option too- I still think of those warm truffle fries after the night was over with. I’m not saying that the fries were the best part of the night…. getting married was… but they were a solid second 😉 A massive thank you to the entire early mountain team for making everything perfect!
Samantha M
5.0
11/06/2021
Early Mountain is such a dream. We just got married there on 10/22/2021 utilizing the petite wedding package, and it could not have gone more smoothly or beautifully. The ceremony ...
spaces, tasting room, event hall, and the getting ready spaces are stunning and the staff are both professional and personable. I could not imagine having a more perfect day - my grandmother even said she felt like she was in a Hollywood movie.
Sara was really the mastermind behind it all, and I am so thankful she was both our venue manager and our day-of coordinator. Thank you, Sara!
Pam D
5.0
10/14/2021
We just had our wedding at Early Mountain and the day could not have been more perfect! It has a gorgeous ceremony lawn (and the event hall is a great back-up if it rains - which f...
ortunately it didn't for us but was really important for me to have a back up!), beautiful tasting room for cocktails, and the reception space looks like something out of Game of Thrones - just stunning! Sara was wonderful to work with, even in an incredibly busy season! Oh and the wine? Yum! Love this venue. Our guests were in awe.
Alexxis O
5.0
10/06/2020
We had such a wonderful experience using Early Mountain for our wedding venue! We worked mainly with Sara (a little with Melissa as well) and I can't say enough great things! The v...
enue is absolutely beautiful, Sara was responsive and amazing to work with and everything turned out beautifully. Thank you for helping to make our wedding absolutely incredible.
Mel E
5.0
7/26/2020
The venue is stunning and the staff are kind, friendly, and efficient. We worked with Sara and Melissa, and they could not have helped us put together a more perfect day. We had...
to reschedule our wedding, and they worked so hard to ensure our day went smoothly and was safe. I would 100% do it all over again with the Early Mountain team, they do not disappoint. Truly above and beyond service!
Harry S
5.0
2/07/2020
My daughter recently had her wedding at Early Mountain. We worked with Sara and Juan and I could not ask for more professional service, advice and execution of all our wedding wa...
nts. The use of candles, fireplaces and overhead lighting made the venue so remarkably beautiful. The food was delicious and serve by staff in the most efficient and orderly manner. We used the cottage and I would recommend that you do the same. The best comment I can make is that we had great expectations and we were not disappointed....the only surprises were good ones.
Jennifer K
5.0
10/19/2019
Early Mountain Vineyards is an absolutely beautiful place to have a wedding at! We had our wedding here in Sept 2019 and guests are still raving about how stunningly gorgeous every...
thing was - from the outdoor space where we had our ceremony in to the tasting room and terrace where we had our cocktail hour in to the Grand Hall where we had our reception in. There is also a bridal cottage that is PERFECT for getting ready (there are 3 bathrooms!) with one's bridesmaids and the couple gets to spend the night there on the wedding night.
Furthermore, the staff at Early Mountain are so great and easy to work with. We are SO happy that we had our wedding here!
Rachel C
5.0
10/14/2019
Absolutely amazing venue! Early Mountain staff was incredibly organized, responsive, and friendly throughout the whole planning process. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful...
place for our wedding!
Laura L
5.0
7/18/2019
We got married at Early Mountain on April 27, 2019 and it was absolutely magical! The venue itself is gorgeous, not just the rolling hills and vineyards outside, but also the tasti...
ng room and reception hall! Communication with the entire event staff was wonderful and easy from the very beginning. I am so happy with our experience that I wish we could do it all over again!
Eliza B
5.0
5/29/2019
Early Mountain Vineyards was a gorgeous location for our wedding. The indoor and outdoor spaces are beautiful, and it was nice to have flexibility and not need to worry about weath...
er (though thankfully we were able to use the lawn for our ceremony). The tasting room and reception hall don't really need any work to look amazing. The cottage was a great space to get ready in, and we appreciated that we didn't have to drive back to Charlottesville the night of the wedding.
Their event staff (I mostly communicated with Abby and Sara) were easy to get in touch with and very helpful. The only downsides for us were the distance from Charlottesville (about 45 minutes) and it is a little pricey - but well worth it!
Emily E
5.0
5/23/2019
From our first email inquiry to the wedding day and even after, we only have positive things to say about our experiences at EMV. The people were responsive, patient with questions...
, and lovely to communicate with (we worked with Abigail Schwab a lot, and adored her). Wine was delicious - plenty of options (rose was a personal fave). I suggest joining their wine club for discounted cases; it was also fun to receive wine in the mail leading up to the wedding! I've always loved EMV, but when I learned that they provide a ton that many venues do not, the decision was a no-brainer. It's also gorgeous, with inside and outside options. Love the tasting room, verandas, ballroom with fireplaces, painted white brick, exposed ceiling beams... a truly romantic space. I got ready in the cottage (it was much bigger than I had originally pictured) and we stayed there the night-of; beautiful, quiet space -- loved being able to stay there. It also made it easy to visit the venue the next morning, see if we left anything there, and grab leftover flower arrangements. :) My only concern had been the distance from Cville where our guests were staying, but it was a non-issue. We arranged transportation for everyone; it's a straight-shot and easy. Our guests raved about the venue! We felt the cost of the venue was really reasonable for what you get. In sum, EMV was everything we hoped it would be and more. It was the easiest wedding-related decision we had to make. We are incredibly grateful and glad that we had our wedding there. It was the happiest day of our lives; THANK YOU to everyone at EMV who contributed to the ease and joy of our day!
Kelly M
5.0
4/07/2019
We recently had our wedding at EMV. We absolutely loved the backdrop of the Shenandoah Mountains, and we loved the tasting room for our cocktail hour. The weather ended up being to...
o cold/windy to have our ceremony outside, but the catering company was able to use the reception room and have it flipped. This allowed us to have beautiful lanterns along the walkway next to guest seats, and we had the backdrop of a beautiful fireplace and mantle. We were very happy with it. A bonus is that their wine is also terrific!
Jacob W
3.0
3/19/2019
We had our wedding this fall at EMV and it was absolutely gorgeous – we loved our wedding venue! EMV provides the tables, chairs, fireplaces, lanterns, one-night-stay at the cottag...
e, etc. That's the good part; however, when planning your wedding with EMV they are not the quaint vineyard professionals you're expecting. Expect to pay tons of money and then some, there is no flexibility with any of their time schedules, prices or rules. The event coordinators are half rude and half nice and basically get paid to scan your credit card and do nothing else. EMV staff will not lift a finger for you and they REQUIRE you do all the work yourself or hire out. The EMV staff mentality is "if you have an issue with the price, the time schedule or the absurd cost of our wine, then leave...someone else will pay even more to have their wedding at our vineyard." Your pictures will look great, but it's definitely a lot of hassle leading up to your wedding day.
Kristen B
5.0
1/08/2019
Early Mountain was the perfect place to have our wedding. The staff was really helpful and the venue is absolutely stunning. Definitely recommend!
Response from Early Mountain Vineyards on 01/08/2019
Thank you so much for the kind words, Kristen! We hope to see you back in the tasting room...
sometime soon!!
Sarah S
5.0
1/06/2019
Early Mountain Vineyards was the most breathtaking wedding venue! My fiance and I toured quite a few of the local Charlottesville wedding locations, but we knew as soon as we stepp...
ed into Early Mountain that we would be making the reservation before we left. We worked with Abigail Schwab and Sara Markham- both ladies went above and beyond to make us feel at ease for our July 13, 2018 wedding. I felt no hesitations that we would be thoroughly taken care of during the months leading up to our wedding. Both of these ladies responded promptly to any emails and calls I made throughout the planning process (and you know- this is SO important when planning a massive party!)
The grounds at Early Mountain Vineyard are truly stunning. You are given the choice between having your wedding ceremony outside encircled by a magical backdrop of rolling hills and flowers (my personal dream) OR creating a romantic candlelit indoor ceremony in the reception hall. With twin stone mantelpieces, castle chandeliers, and dreamy windows- the reception hall is a dream-come-true for any bride. The venue is so beautiful that ornate decorations are rather unnecessary- just add some greenery and candles and you are good to go!
Did I mention how lovely the cocktail hour is in the tasting room? Comfy chairs, tables, and couches sprawl across the room in a beautiful layout. Our friends and families felt comfortable and were easily able to spread out and catch up while Alex and I stole away to EMV’s secret barn for sunset pictures!
Speaking of sunset pictures----this was one of the main reasons I wanted to have my wedding at Early Mountain Vineyards! They have rustic, but manicured barns for photos! One of the barns is set on top of a hill so that the pictures have the view of the sun slipping behind the mountains- SO romantic!
Early Mountain is the place to get married if you don’t want to worry about the weather (SO many options for ceremony and reception placement- and all of them are stunning!). The small details (like lighting packages, firepits, and farm tables) are the best! Plus- wonderful staff who are helpful and friendly throughout the entire planning process! If I had the chance to change anything about my wedding- I would still choose Early Mountain Vineyards every single time!
Love, Sarah & Alex
Response from Early Mountain Vineyards on 01/08/2019
Sarah - you are the sweetest!! We absolutely loved working with you and are so happy we we...
re able to help make your day wonderful! All of your kind words and feedback mean so much to us, thank you for taking the time to write this. Wishing you and Alex all the best and hoping we see you back at Early Mountain very soon!
MaryKate O
5.0
11/19/2018
Early Mountain Vineyards puts together a wonderful experience for the bride and groom and their guests. They worked closely with our other vendors to make our day magical! The tas...
ting room and the ball room are simply breath taking! They were very accommodating to all our needs and very quick to respond to emails and phone calls during the planning process! We loved working with them!
Response from Early Mountain Vineyards on 01/08/2019
Thank you so much for this review, MaryKate! So happy we were able to contribute to your b...
ig day - we wish you all the best!!
Allison F
2.0
10/01/2018
Early Mountain Vineyards is a beautiful venue. Up until the last month prior to my wedding I would have written about the customer service and hospitality that they provide. I've n...
ever written a bad review in my life but feel like this information needs to be passed on for other couples looking to get married here. I am a very organized planner and check and re check things before moving forward with anything. With that said the final two weeks before my recent wedding my fiancè and I were hit with a large balance we were never made aware of. Please be informed that in their "contract" that is a binder of venue information (past history of the property, wine lists, food lists etc) READ EVERY PAGE of what you think is useless information VERY carefully this will include their 9.3% tax on EVERYTHING as well as the 20% service fee they forgot to mention at any of our other meetings. So with a short amount of time before our wedding we were hit with a bill that we thought would be half, and ended up being almost double what our first "half" payment was. My wedding coordinator (which they say you need in order to book but was never mentioned in the contract once)...lives and works strictly in VA and was very concerned and baffled at this 9.3% tax. We had a very intimate wedding and with these extra surprise fees I don't know how anyone with over 50 people could afford this in addition to the already pricy venue fee. On another note get ready to provide your guests with any beverage that is not water. Yes at the reception we had to provide tea and soda for our guests. I understand bringing all the alcohol and mixers you will need but tea at dinner...come on. I could go on about a few other things but hopefully this is informative enough to make sure you ask the correct questions and get everything in writing prior to signing your "contract".
Cassandra O
5.0
7/07/2018
We had our wedding at Early Mountain on Friday, June 29th 2018. Although we got married just recently, Early Mountain has been wonderful from Day 1, over one year ago. From the tim...
e we visited this *potential* venue, Early Mountain's staff and wedding coordinators were extremely helpful in planning and coordinating our big day and thoroughly answering the many questions we had when selecting our wedding locations. We couldn't be happier with Abby and Sara's extensive help throughout the whole process. I truly never waited more than 12 hours (and for the most part, less than that) for a response to my questions or comments regarding our event.
As far as location, you really couldn't select a more beautiful site to host your guests, especially if they're coming from out of town, as the majority of our guests were. The location in itself is absolutely stunning, and gave guests a lot to talk about throughout the night and beyond. Then, the venue itself is dreamlike, and decorations only enhanced an already breathtaking site.
Our experience with wine tasting to select our EMV wines was exquisite. Sara had a beautiful layout upon arrival, and I would say one of our most difficult decisions was selecting from their array of delicious wines. We ended up with 5 distinct selections, and everyone raved about how wonderful they were.
I really could go on and on about how perfect our EMV event was. We cannot wait to visit as frequent patrons of the vineyard and to reminisce about our most perfect day there, with stunning views, friendly and prompt service, and exquisite wines. Thank you Early Mountain!
Abi T
5.0
5/05/2018
Early Mountain is absolutely amazing in many ways! The staff was there if we had any questions all the way up to the day of the wedding. The venue itself is perfect, and having a b...
ackup ceremony spot was incredibly helpful. I highly suggest booking another night at the cottage if you have the ability to. It is gorgeous out there! I will continue to go there for years!
Sierra K
5.0
12/06/2017
I had my December wedding at Early Mountain and it could not have been more perfect. The venue is absolutely stunning (especially the event hall) and the staff is impeccable. They ...
took amazing care of us through our planning process and really did all they could to ensure our experience was nothing but fantastic. I loved working with them and I can't imagine a more perfect place to choose to have your wedding at.
Emily S
5.0
6/24/2017
Our wedding at Early Mountain was wonderful. Aside from the beautiful venue and countryside, Early Mountain delivered on all of the practical things we wanted: a nice place on-site...
for the bride and bridesmaids to get ready (the bridal cottage), an equally nice place for the groom and groomsmen to prepare, and a seamless rain plan. It rained on our wedding day so we had the ceremony inside, and the setup was really beautiful. Throughout our planning process, the staff were very helpful, responsive and professional. The only challenge we encountered was transportation; Early Mountain is a good 45-minute drive from Charlottesville (longer on a bus), so our guests who stayed in Charlottesville had a pretty long shuttle ride each way. If you want to have room blocks in Charlottesville, that's something to consider. We also blocked rooms at the Holiday Inn Express in Ruckersville, which is 20 minutes away and very nice. That's the option I would recommend to other couples.
Response from Early Mountain Vineyards on 06/24/2017
Emily, thank you for your kind feedback! We adored the honor of hosting your special day....
Please stay well!
Brittany F
5.0
5/27/2017
Early Mountain is one of the most beautiful venues in VA. It was the only venue we looked at and we booked the next day. We loved the flexibility of choosing whether you want an in...
door or outdoor ceremony and being able to change it at any time because you have the entire venue to yourself (they only do one wedding a day). This allowed us to monitor the weather and make a decision whenever we felt comfortable. We chose inside because we fell head over heels in love with the room (the stone floors, wooden mantles and medieval-esque light fixtures felt super romantic and kind of Game of Thrones in a good way). We also knew the vines wouldn't be ripe and the flowers probably wouldn't be in bloom in April (they weren't), so that helped make our decision as well.
We lucked out because even though we chose to have our ceremony indoors, our cocktail hour opened up to a patio area overlooking the rolling hills, which let guests mingle outside and get the vineyard experience. Spring weather can be hit or miss, but we got sun and 68 degrees, and it was pure magic (the sunset was incredible).
We worked with Taylor and Sara, who were both very quick to respond to our emails and answer questions about the venue, the weather, billing, etc.
Another huge plus: We had the option of staying the night in the on-site cottage (where the bride gets ready pre-wedding), which we decided to do (it was included in the cost of the venue). SO glad we did! We woke up to sounds of birds chirping and sun shining on the vineyard. The decor is beautiful and it's the perfect place to spend your first night as husband and wife.
We had the wedding of our dreams at Early Mountain and would do it again in a heartbeat!
Response from Early Mountain Vineyards on 05/30/2017
Thank you dearly for your kind words! We adored getting to know you and are so thrilled t...
hat your wedding day was everything you dreamed it would be. Please stay well and come visit us again soon!
Xin T
5.0
4/08/2017
We were so so pleased to be married at the Early Mountain Vineyards. Since our wedding was in March, both ceremony and reception were held in the Event Hall. Although I already kne...
w the Event Hall was beautiful, it turned out to be so cozy and glamorous after just decorated a little by flowers and candles. But this was not the end—EMV had much more than the Event Hall! All places such as the Tasting Room, Patio, Gallery, and Wine Library were so stunning that all guests enjoyed the place so much. My favorite no doubt was the fully decorated and functioning Cottage. My ladies and I spent a wonderful and relaxed afternoon there while getting-ready, as well as took hundreds of beautiful photos. It was pricey, but I did believe the experience deserved every penny. Also, we saved quite amount of money on florist, rental, and catering as tables, chairs, and many decors were already included in the package. In addition, one night stay at the Cottage was too! During the planning process, we worked with Maggie and Taylor, and then Sara and Margaret after Maggie's departure. They were all professional, responsible, flexible, and willing to help. Most importantly, they worked as a team. All information was shared so there were no hiccups during the transition.
Response from Early Mountain Vineyards on 05/30/2017
Your kinds thoughts mean the world to us, thank you for sharing. Please come and see us a...
gain soon on the mountain! Always wishing you all the best!
Kelsey S
5.0
10/31/2016
Early Mountain is just plain BEAUTIFUL! The moment my husband & I walked in we knew it was the venue for us. They provide gorgeous wine barrels, large farm tables, lanterns, ceremo...
ny seating, and more! We loved having the fireplaces lit even though it was an early fall wedding, and the great hall has an almost cathedral feel to it. They allowed us to set up our giant Jenga set outside which was a big hit, and they didn't mind our ring bearer being a golden retriever puppy. As far as communications and payment goes, they were easy to work with and very prompt in responses. The cottage you stay in on your wedding night is so cute and cozy, it was all perfect for us. We love Early Mountain and highly recommend it to anyone!
Katie H
5.0
10/19/2016
Early Mountain was the most beautiful venue for our Wedding reception. They were so easy to work with, always answered the phone and emails. We worked primarily with Taylor, but ...
everyone at EMV was helpful. It was a bit on the expensive side, especially since we had our Ceremony at another location. But it was just perfect and worth the splurge!
Rebecca O
5.0
10/03/2015
I absolutely LOVE Early Mountain Vineyards. We just got married there and I couldn't have asked for anything more. The staff was so responsive over email and answered any and all q...
uestions I had throughout the whole process. I was able to stay in the bridal cottage starting at 12 pm the Friday before my wedding which made everything so much easier. the cottage is great and the perfect space to get ready with your bridesmaids (including THREE bathrooms!).
We had a chance of rain on our wedding day but I wasn't even worried because EMV has such a great indoor space. In fact, that is one of the main reasons why we chose it. It is a gorgeous vineyard and all of our guests were raving about how beautiful the space was. We ended up having our ceremony and cocktail hour inside and it worked out perfectly. They have a huge kitchen for any catering company and most importantly, their wine is delicious! One of my guests even said "I don't usually like VA wine, but this is really good!"
I can't say enough good things about EMV. I am so so happy we chose to have our wedding there, it was perfect. If you are looking for a vineyard setting, it is definitely the best option in Charlottesville.
Kathy M
5.0
9/25/2015
My wedding at the vineyard was amazing!!!!
The venue itself is so beautiful that I didn't need to bring in a whole bunch of extras like flower arrangements. The view itself was ...
my best decoration.
The venue is expensive, but for us it was worth it. We were married on a Sunday evening, so there was a little savings there. But we spent that savings having the winery close an hour early so it wasn't a crazy late night for people who wanted to go to work on Monday. And be prepared to book at least a year in advance!
Christina P
5.0
8/23/2015
Early Mountain was the perfect venue for our wedding! The landscape is absolutely beautiful--the mountain backdrop, rolling hills, grape vines and beautiful landscaping. The EMV ...
team was incredibly easy to work with and extremely accommodating from the moment that we first stepped into the tasting room. The interior event space was just as beautiful as the exterior, as it provided a great backdrop for us to be able to design our ideal layout. An added bonus to the venue was the fact that it had an easy yet still beautiful backup plan in place in case of inclement weather that wouldn't cost extra.
I can't possibly describe how happy my husband I were that we came across EMV during our search for venues.
Nikki W
5.0
8/14/2015
It's been just over a month since our wedding and I so want to go back and do it all over again! It was a fairytale. We had looked at about 5 other venues before EMV. BUT I had ...
already seen pictures of EMV and had my heart set on it, so the other places really didn't stand a chance. We drove down from Annapolis Maryland to check out the vineyard and I had mentally signed the contract as we drove up before we even parked. Everything from the manicured lawn with beautiful flowers, the vastness of the vineyard and the rolling hills, to the stone and brick on the main building, was enough for me... Then you walk inside and you're done..."where's the contract!?" It's 5 stars in every area (except value). To be clear, the place is absolutely amazing and breathtaking and the service you'll get from Maggie and Delores is top notch and incredibly professional and super responsive (and we asked a ton of questions via email - all answered right away), but the price tag is quite steep. With that said, if you have the budget to go for it, you won't be disappointed. We heard from several quests at our wedding that it was the most beautiful wedding they had even been to. Of course, as a bride who worked for over a year on this day, that was music to my ears, and the location is largely what made the wedding as beautiful as it was.
Abby A
5.0
6/25/2015
We fell in love with Early Mountain Vineyards as soon as we visited. The setting is idyllic, and it's one of the rare vineyard venues with an indoor space as lovely as the outdoor ...
space. This feature came in handy on our wedding day---we had planned to have the cocktail hour outside after the outdoor ceremony, but due to uncomfortably warm weather we opted to have cocktails indoors (luckily, we had rented out the beautiful tasting room). From the stunning reception hall to the outdoor fire pits to the inviting, comfortable cottage that serves as a space for the bride and her bridal party to get ready and a honeymoon suite for the couple, the whole place is thoughtfully designed to make hosting a wedding as stress-free as possible.
The staff was pleasant, professional, and helpful. They responded quickly to any questions we had along the way and were always accommodating. The only comment I have that approaches a criticism concerns the value---while we found the venue itself to be superior to the other winery venues we visited closer to Charlottesville (we visited a total of 6 or 7), I was surprised to learn that the price was as high as or higher than similar venues closer to town (and, therefore, to hotels that can accommodate large room blocks). If you're planning on providing transportation for your guests to get to the venue, it's worth factoring in that cost. But keep in mind that Early Mountain also offers amenities you'll pay extra for elsewhere, such as chairs for both the ceremony and the reception, tables, and decor items---not to mention a honeymoon suite!
Overall, we felt like Early Mountain Vineyards was the perfect place to get married. Countless guests (and vendors) commented on how beautiful the venue was, and the thoughtful details that make it such an excellent event space helped our wedding go seamlessly. I would recommend it without hesitation to anyone looking to get married in the Charlottesville area.
Erica F
5.0
3/30/2015
I can honestly say it was love at first sight when my fiancé and I visited Early Mountain VIneyard (EMV)! It was the first venue we looked at after getting engaged and, while we to...
ured many other potential options in the Charlottesville, VA area, nothing came close to EMV. We were immediately blown away during our initial visit, beginning with the gorgeous tasting room when you walk in, followed by the breathtaking wedding event spaces. We wanted to get married in March and weather can be unpredictable, so our venue needed to have space to host the ceremony and reception indoors and the Event Hall at EMV was perfect for both. It actually snowed the Thursday before our wedding, and it didn't matter at all! There was ample space to host our 115 guests (majority of which traveled from South Florida) in a cozy, romantic, beautiful and unique atmosphere that everyone absolutely LOVED! Some of our engaged friends actually told us they had “venue envy” after seeing EMV for the first time! And, as if that weren't enough, access to the Bridal Cottage and Lounge/Library made our day that much better as the entire bridal party (not just the Bride and Bridesmaids) got to hang out and relax at the venue before the festivities began. As other reviews have stated, EMV was worth every penny, especially considering all that is included in the rental fee.
Aside from the quality and charm of the venue itself, the EMV staff was INCREDIBLE - we chose EMV more than a year in advance and Maggie (our Event Coordinator) was wonderful and super responsive the entire time. We also worked with Nicolette, who was also awesome, so no matter whom you work with at Early Mountain, you will be in good hands! EMV was the perfect setting for our perfect day and we could not have been happier with our choice. We loved it, our guests loved it, and our vendors loved it too! We are now members of the wine club and are planning to stay in the Bridal Cottage for our one-year anniversary. Needless to say, we are huge fans of EMV and could not have imagined getting married anywhere else!
Christina P
5.0
1/10/2015
I fell in love with Early Mountain Vineyards the minute I walked in! Sometimes you just know when something is meant for you. It is such a beautiful place with the perfect ambiance...
. With a December wedding, we used the reception hall for an indoor ceremony and were so happy with the outcome. My vision was winter wonderland theme, and to be honest I didn't want to overdo it becuase EM already has so much natural beauty. The staff was wonderful throughout the entire planning process. Maggie, one of the wedding coordinators was very organized, honest, and friendly. Every visit/meeting with her, I could tell she really enjoys working with brides. The bridal cottage on-site was such a cozy spot for my girls to get ready, and the perfect escape for Mr. & Mrs on the wedding night! We chose to have liquor, beer, and EM wines. We picked two reds and two whites, all very good and popular among guests. We truly love EM and plan to spend more time their as husband and wife, and will never forget our special day!
Kelly K
5.0
1/06/2015
I fell in love with EMV from the moment I pulled into the drive at this gorgeous venue. I had my winter wedding here and had the most wonderful experience! The staff (Maggie is the...
best!) is so helpful, professional and sweet. The wine is great, the grounds and spaces are so beautiful and unique and are the definition of a "wow factor". I stayed at the EMV cottage both the day before and night of my wedding and it made my experience so relaxing and special- my bridesmaids and I had so much fun getting ready there- it really is the perfect place to prep for a wedding and a romantic getaway to spend your first night married. Everyone at my wedding raved that EMV was the most beautiful venue they had ever seen and I couldnt agree more- I cannot wait to go back again!
Alicia P
5.0
10/31/2014
We held our wedding a few weeks ago at EMV. It was the most magical and amazing day! Not only is the venue gorgeous, but the staff is great to work with!
We worked mainly with ...
Nicolette during the year leading up to our big day. She was very responsive and was very helpful during the planning process. The day of the wedding, our wedding coordinators and Nicolette worked to make our day unforgettable!
All that EMV has to offer (reception space, tables and chairs, patio with heating lamps and the views) made our wedding that much more amazing! We were blown away with all of the details which were highlighted and they made sure our day went according to plan.
We also used the cottage Friday and Saturday night. Friday night the bridesmaids and myself stayed and got ready there on Saturday. The cottage is beautiful and has the perfect amount of space for all of us to get ready including the makeup and hair artists. We were blown away by the small touches in the cottage including the coffee maker and coffee, creamer, snacks, etc.
Throughout the wedding and after, our guests were raving about how amazing the venue and reception space was. Guests mentioned it was the most beautiful space they have been to! We could have not been happier.
Overall the weekend was amazing and it would not have been the same if we got married somewhere else. I would highly recommend EMV to all brides!!!
Katie G
5.0
10/27/2014
Anyone looking to get married at a vineyard in the Charlottesville area should SERIOUSLY consider Early Mountain Vineyards as the perfect setting for their wedding weekend. While i...
t’s not as centrally located as some other options, it provides a more unique, picturesque setting that you will fall in love with immediately - it is worth the couple miles of driving, and there are countless bed and breakfasts in the vicinity for your guests to make a complete weekend out of your wedding. If the beautiful setting were not enough to convince you, the wedding staff (in particular Nicolette) is extremely helpful and responsive with everything from recommendations, logistics, ideas, and anything else you might have questions about. If we could give six stars on service, quality, and value, we would - the staff, setting, and everything “extra” that you get is that amazing and takes additional work off your plate. Early Mountain Vineyards is worth every penny.
Our recommendation: Go to Early Mountain Vineyards as your first stop, sit down, do a wine tasting, and cancel all the rest of your appointments - nothing else will come close. If you’re getting married in the Charlottesville area, you’re not going to find a more beautiful setting, more helpful staff, or get as many additional time, hassle, and cost saving things (like patio furniture, tables, indoor and outdoor chairs and cushions, and let’s not forget the beautiful, cozy guest cottage for the night of the wedding) than at Early Mountain Vineyards.
Jamie C
5.0
10/20/2014
My husband and I had a great experience with Early Mountain Vineyards. We did not have a wedding planner and they were such a help with organizing our event. Because of inclement w...
eather, we had to move the ceremony indoors, but it looked lovely and no one could tell it was a last minute change. We worked primarily with Nicolette and she is so organized, calming and informative!
We were able to use a caterer that was not on their 'preferred vendors' list with no issue. They also allowed us to bring in much of our decorations and flowers the day before the wedding which was super helpful.
My only issue is that I would have liked to have Nicolette at the rehearsal so we could go over a few details and discuss the inclement weather plan.
Anonymous
5.0
10/15/2014
We loved EMV. The ceremony was outdoors and the reception was inside in their reception hall. The venue is just beautiful and we were told several times that our wedding was on our...
friends' list of their favorite weddings they attended.
While the venue is definitely a little bit pricey, it certainly wasn't the most expensive venue we looked at and I think you get a great value since EMV provides all the tables and chairs for the ceremony and reception. They also have a great kitchen (no rentals needed!); in fact our caterer was relieved to hear our reception location because they enjoy working there.
Another perk of this venue is the cottage where the bride and bridesmaids can get ready. The cottage has a kitchen, several bathrooms, and plenty of space to have your hair and makeup team set up to pamper the ladies. The guys get access to a "man cave" room downstairs with a big TV, perfect for them to finish getting ready and hang out before the ceremony.
The ceremony area is set away from the rest of the tasting room area open to the public so you don't feel like you have wedding crashers wandering through or a bunch of strangers watching your ceremony. You can't help a few people looking on, but it was quiet and not a problem. Another great part was the owners decided to close the winery at 6 pm - thank goodness! That cuts down on time that you'd have to share the venue with anyone else.
We worked mostly with Nicolette, although we worked with Delores as well. Nicolette was friendly and accommodating throughout the planning process, especially the month leading up to the big day. When she knew how frustrated I was with my day-of-coordinator, she really stepped up and helped coordinate and I had total confidence that with her help, everything would be pulled off smoothly. Other staff at EMV were pleasant to work with, but Nicolette really put my mind at ease and allowed me to enjoy my wedding.
Brighid F
5.0
10/15/2014
The views at Early Mountain are to die for ! The staff is so helpful and accommodating. They answered every email in a timely manner and were very accessible. My family had an amaz...
ing time. The bridal cottage is so convenient to get ready in and perfectly decorated. I can't wait to go back for other events!
IJIOLA E
5.0
9/30/2014
EM is simply beautiful. All the guests enjoyed the view. Nicolette, Maggie & co were very helpful and responsive. We don't have any complaints. We'll definitely be back at EM just ...
to escape from the city. Oh the bridal cottage is wonderful, fully furnished and convenient for a bride and her train.
Melissa P
5.0
9/07/2014
There's so many great things to say about Early Mountain Vineyard! Our wedding day was like a fairy tale, it had the most beautiful view and atmosphere. Everything from the Great L...
awn, Patio, Event Hall, Lounge and Bridal Cottage was absolutely gorgeous. The people there are amazing to work with. They were all super friendly and very accommodating which made our wedding planning experience memorable. We recommend Early Mountain Vineyard to anyone in search of a venue! If we had to do it over again, Early Mountain Vineyard would still be our number one choice.
Jacquelyn G
5.0
8/19/2014
My husband and I looked at venues all over the Charlottesville region and even at venues around Maryland. We really wanted a venue that had a beautiful outdoor setting and equally ...
as wonderful reception area. While many venues can boast having one or the other, Early Mountain Vineyard has everything. It is rare you can say that you would be just as happy with the ceremony indoors as outdoors but we did and truly meant it. Everything about it is stunning and the attention to detail the owners and Event Planning team put into everything is noticeable. My husband and I have high standards of quality and never once were we disappointed. The cost is certainly not inexpensive but you get what you pay for and more. Having the flexibility to find our own vendors was perfect and it made our wedding that much more a reflection of who we are. I cannot say thank you enough to EMV, Maggie and Nicolette for what they did for us.
Anonymous
5.0
8/18/2014
The event managers at EMV are thorough and efficient. Delores will not leave you hanging in wonder for any questions that you may have. She was extremely flexible with our guests ...
the day of the wedding. While it was a good chunk of our wedding budget, every penny was worth it. Our guests raved about the location both inside and out. Picking this venue and working with the people at EMV was one of the easiest decisions throughout the entire process.
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