The Highlands Estate - Barn and Vineyard venue

perfect place to celebrate our wedding. We toured a number of properties before deciding on the Highlands Estate, but none even came close. The handcrafted farm tables are gorgeous, with the Oak tree providing the perfect backdrop for our pictures and the barn an ideal venue for dancing. It was truly amazing to have our ceremony in such a picturesque setting followed by a wonderful dinner on the patio. But what makes the Highlands Estate special are Whitney and Gard. From the moment we arrived, we were impressed by their warmth, kindness and sincerity, and felt very welcomed. Throughout the planning process, they were always supportive and extremely helpful in navigating all the decisions that needed to be made. Perhaps most telling is the fact that every single one of our vendors told us that their favorite place to work was the Highlands Estate. It’s not hard to understand why - we simply cannot imagine a more perfect venue and hosts for an incredibly memorable and wonderful day. We have no reservations in enthusiastically recommending the Highlands Estate!

rolling hills and the grounds were so well thought out. Whitney and Gard have thought of everything and were so kind and accomodating throughout our wedding planning process. Our guests couldn't stop gushing about how gorgeous the ceremony site was. It really made for a magical ceremony day of the wedding. I also really appreciated their list of recommended vendors that had been pre-vetted and they had experience working with. That made our vendor search so much easier and made a huge task much more digestible. I couldn't recommend The Highlands Estate enough!

xceptional care and support provided by Whitney and Gard throughout the entire planning process. The Highlands Estate is a true gem, nestled in a picturesque location that takes your breath away. The moment we set foot on the grounds, we were mesmerized by the stunning scenery of vineyards, oak trees, and twinkle lights. The venue offered the perfect blend of rustic elegance, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for our special day. What truly sets The Highlands Estate apart is the exceptional care and attentiveness of Whitney and Gard. From our very first meeting, they were there to guide us, listen to our vision, and offer invaluable advice. Their passion for weddings and commitment to making our day perfect was evident in every interaction. Throughout the planning process, Whitney and Gard were an unwavering source of support. They were readily available to answer our questions, provide recommendations, and help us navigate through various decisions. Their genuine warmth and kindness made us feel like cherished friends rather than clients. They took the time to get to know us as a couple, understanding our unique preferences and desires for our wedding day. The Highlands Estate is an exceptional wedding venue that goes above and beyond. From the breathtaking beauty of the location to the unwavering support throughout the planning process, they created an experience that surpassed all our expectations. If you are seeking a stunning venue run by a couple who will treat your wedding as if it were their own, we wholeheartedly recommend The Highlands Estate. Whitney and Gard's dedication and passion will ensure that your special day is nothing short of extraordinary.

vendor list that are all 5 star high quality professionals. It was so nice having well-vetted vendors to choose from instead of blindly having to search the internet. My guests couldn't stop gushing about the unique beauty of the venue, and I can't imagine getting married at any other site. The website photos truly don't do it justice. Please visit this venue for yourself!

e. Since the bride and groom live out of state we started the search to help them. We were given the wishlist of a rustic elegance, barn and vineyards. We looked at many locations but as we drove thru the main gate of The Highlands Estate and up the drive lined by flowering trees and vineyards we had a good feeling that this was it. We then met Whitney and Gard and knew this was the spot for our families to celebrate this very special moment in our lives. They felt like old friends, so warm and friendly. They truly embrace these weddings like a family member with genuine interest and concern for details. The wedding ceremony arbor with breathtaking views, barn and farm tables, the view from the old oak tree, and the thoughtful lay out are simply perfect. All our guests were in awe of the setting and the ambiance for a beautiful dinner party. When the wedding photos started to come in they were breathtaking and took us back to our wonderful day. With a big event as this there are always a few challenges but working with Whitney and Gard troubleshooting it made it seamless. Without hesitation we can recommend this venue, and when you visit you will not want to leave.

our wedding there. Whitney and Gard are so kind and thoughtful, and really helped make the planning process and big day seamless. They truly thought of all the little details when creating this venue to make it the ideal place to have a wedding. The list of preferred venders that comes with booking at the Highlands Estate was extremely help and made the planning process so much easier! The venue itself is absolutely stunning and provided us with the most beautiful wedding photos from our big day. All of our guests were blown away by the natural beauty of the venue- commenting on how the reception felt like an intimate dinner party with all your closest friends. We are so happy we went with the Highlands Estate and cannot recommend it enough!

ot to mention the gorgeous estate, grounds, and thoughtful touches at the venue. Can't thank them enough! We booked the Highlands Estate back in 2020 after having to cancel our original wedding 2 weeks before as a result of COVID. We had a really negative experience with our original venue and were very transparent with both Whitney and Gard about our experience and what we were looking for now that we had to reschedule. Not only were they so empathetic, understanding, and caring, but they also made sure to build in buffers for us due to the uncertainty of COVID to make us feel more comfortable. We ended up having to reschedule a few times again, but finally made it down the aisle last weekend. Gard and Whitney made the process of postponing so seamless and they were so supportive throughout the process. It was abundantly clear to us that they saw us as people first and not just a paycheck. They made sure that there was a human element involved and it wasn't just business to them. As a result, we were able to have the most perfect day we could have ever imaged. Thank you Whitney and Gard for showing us your heart and taking care of us so well. Now about the venue itself- the Highlands Estate is beautiful!! Gard and Whitney have put so much thought, energy, and intention into the venue and it really shows. Even since we booked the venue back in 2020, they have been making upgrades every year, adding a groom's suite, mics built into the ceremony arbor, built in barn speakers, etc. These special touches are just a few of the things that make the venue so unique and special. Finally - if you have the opportunity to book the Highlands Estate, really pay attention to the vendor recommendations. They truly know the best people and we feel so fortunate that they were able to share them with us on our special day. Thank you for the world class customer service, care, and love! We will cherish our day forever.

is venue!

ent is so welcoming and set the tone for a truly incredible experience. I cannot recommend it enough!!

arn & vineyards. This was the first venue we visited and we immediately fell in love. We looked at other venues after but we kept thinking about the Highlands Estate. Whitney & Gard: Thank you for letting us celebrate our love at your beautiful venue. We will forever be grateful to you both. You truly made our dreams come true.

Estate is not one of those venues. Even the most talented photographer can’t do this place’s natural beauty justice, no review will ever fully capture how seamless a wedding at The Highlands Estate can be, and no venue owners will be more thoughtful and kind as Whitney and Gard! Every detail is thought through with weddings in mind - even down to the tables! Gard Made the tables extra wide so they could fit decor and place settings without crowding the table. And they’re just beautiful. The Highlands Estate is overflowing with natural beauty! Rolling hills with grape vines, vibrant plum trees, lavender bushes and more. I wanted as much of our day to be outside and these views cannot be topped. We chose the gazebo for our ceremony and it was so special. Getting to look at my husband AND rolling hills while we said our “I do’s?!” Priceless. The outdoor reception space was a fan favorite too. It was perfect for our intimate 60 person reception. We would have loved to dance under the stars but we still had an incredible time inside the barn on the dance floor. My only regret from the day is not booking the extra hour to stay and play in this beautiful space! My husband and I have already said we want to come back and do a vow renewal here to relive the best day of our lives. There’s something for every couple at the Highlands Estate. The photos aren’t too good to be true, they’re just scratching the surface. Thanks, Whitney and Gard, for helping make our wedding dreams come true! PS: You’ll want to stay at the BlackBerry Ranch cottages down the road! They’re a great place to spend a leisurely morning getting ready and are a very quick drive to the venue. Photography: Natalie Walker Photography Coordinator: Denise Collins Hair and makeup: St. James Salon Flowers: Classy Creations by Tisha Food: Sonoma Catering Co. DJ: NorCal Pro Sound Table Decor: Bottany by Bethany Glasses: Encore Event Rental

Northern CA wine country. However, the best part of the venue turned out to be the owners - Whitney and Gard were absolutely wonderful to work with. They were always available for phone calls, emails, or extra site visits to help plan details. They are both so supportive through the entire planning process, and really make you feel like family through the wedding day. Their preferred vendors are fantastic, and it helped my husband and I immensely to have their assistance with choosing vendors, since we were from out of town. They are an absolute pleasure to work with and helped make our day perfect. We could not have been happier with our wedding day!!

had so many guests comment on the beautiful views and smart set-up of the location. Maybe even better than the venue itself are Whitney and Gard themselves, who are just lovely people dedicated to everything going right on your special day!

ilt by gard himself!). A lot of other venues in their pictures show amazing tables, but you then realize those are rentals and you have to pay more for that look. These gorgeous tables come with the property and really elevate the whole look. You really don’t need to spend a lot of money on decorations cause the venue is so stunning. I also love that we could sneak away to the oak tree at sunset to grab gorgeous photos overlooking the vineyards. Our guests were in awe of how perfect the venue was. This has been a tough year for everyone in the wedding industry so I would take any negative reviews with a grain of salt. It was made very clear to us what the cancelation/ postponement process for this venue was because we booked in the height of covid, and it’s very generous!! So grateful that we were able to have our wedding as planned, and they made it so easy to do so.

ing compares to The Highlands Estate. We also adore Whitney and Gard as they are so kind, caring, and will ensure your wedding is the best it can be. The venue is truly a labor of love for them, and it shows. They are always making improvements, big and small, to continually ensure the venue is perfect. Gard even made the wooden tables himself which are absolutely beautiful. The extra touches like that go a long way. After having to delay our wedding due to COVID, we can truly say it was worth the wait to have our big day at The Highlands Estate.

of the way to guide us through those additional challenges. Thanks to them, my wedding turned out even better than I could have ever imagined. The Highlands Estate is the most beautiful venue, Whitney and Gard’s hospitality is unparalleled, all my guests had nothing but fabulous compliments about everything, and they made all my wedding dreams come true! My husband and I are very grateful for how everything turned out for our wedding day. You won’t find better people to work with than Whitney and Gard or a more picturesque venue than the Highlands Estate. We recommend the Highlands Estate to the fullest degree possible.

ultiple times, making a very stressful process much easier. They are incredibly warm, welcoming people, and it’s obvious that they truly care about making sure couples have a great experience. They responded quickly to all of our questions throughout the process, and went above and beyond to help with decorating ideas. The venue itself is absolutely gorgeous, with beautiful views of hills and vineyards and a mix of outdoor and indoor spaces. It was a lovely place to spend our wedding day, and all our guests were blown away by the setting. The road to the venue is quite windy, so we were glad that we provided a shuttle. Overall, highly recommend!

erful to work with. From the minute we had our first visit they made us feel welcomed and comfortable. They have a perfectly balanced mix of professionalism and friendliness that is hard to come by. We always felt that we could reach out to them and they were quick to respond to any communication with us.They have poured their love into their property, creating the most romantic setting in this beautiful wine country. From the handcrafted wood tables, to the reconstructed barn, to the beautiful arbor overlooking the hills, there is no part of this venue that isn’t stunning. We highly recommend this wedding venue!

p wine country experience, The Highlands hit the nail on the head with their gorgeous ceremony lawn and arbor, their outdoor happy hour patio area with stunning views, and their rustic yet modern barn for dinner and dancing. Working with Whitney and Gard was a breeze, from visiting, booking, and planning -- they were extremely responsive and helpful every step of the way. So happy and grateful that The Highlands was where we got to spend our special day!

farm tables. Our friends and family raved about our choice and how private, yet cozy it felt. Our day went off without a hitch and our pictures are perfect thanks to Gard taking us around the estate at sunset.

ul, professional and kind throughout the whole process. Their suggested vendors were all top notch. I can't recommend this venue and Whitney & Gard more!

ntly, the owners, Whitney and Gard. The communication throughout the process was so clear and easy, management of our vendors and day of coordination was perfect. The barn is so special and Whitney and Gard are owners who truly care about your special day and are always looking to make it even better. Of course, nothing ever goes exactly according to plan at a wedding, but they were invaluable in helping us roll with the punches and making sure our day was still perfect. I can’t say enough great things about the experience, the venue space and the owners. If you are looking for a venue up in Healdsburg or further north to complete a rustic / barn wedding with an all inclusive venue space and detailed, helpful owners, this is for you. The wedding was truly magical.

o much thought into each and every aspect of the property- from the wedding ceremony site, to the barn, to the the lovely Bed & Breakfast- every location is beyond your imagination. Our guests truly had a wonderful time and have called our wedding “utterly magical.” This is mostly due to the beauty of the property but also due to the wonderful suggestions they provided for some of our vendors. We were fortunate to use many of their preferred vendors and each and every one of those vendors had the same caliber of excellence that I would expect. I appreciate Guard and Whitney’s attention to detail and the clear guidelines they have set in place. Items in the contract may seem “strict” but these careful details help make your day more stress free. All of their suggestions and requirements are for a reason. We also utilized the Bed & Breakfast for our wedding party and everyone enjoyed their stay. Each room is unique and there was a perfect room for everyone. From breakfast to the amenities in the room, it’s all top notch. This is truly a hidden gem in wine country and I couldn’t recommend this venue highly enough. Please do yourself a favor and take a tour of the property so you can truly feel the magic. Thank you so much Guard and Whitney for making our wedding the day of our dreams!

second to last weekend of hunting. When we visited, we found the space had so many things that we knew we wanted – market lights, farm tables, indoor & outdoor space – already included with the rental. The property also has a B&B on site that could house the wedding party or in our case, close family members. We had to lock in a date. And we are so happy we did. Gard & Whitney, the owners, are some of the most genuinely friendly, attentive and helpful people we’ve met. We were able to throw a wedding that exceeded our vision and was executed without a hitch. Seriously, it was MAGICAL and our photos from the day are gorgeous. We really enjoyed that were not limited on our vendor & alcohol choices and could build the event exactly how we envisioned. Our vendors shared positive experiences when working with Whitney & Gard, as well. We also would like to give Whitney & Gard an A+ on crisis management. Our date was two weeks after the 2017 Northern California Wildfires broke out and were still ongoing. My wife and I were certainly on high stress leading up to the wedding, however Whitney & Gard were always available to answer our calls in an informative, calm manner. The Highlands Estate is a rare gem and my wife and I cannot recommend it enough.

ry or rustic flair. The site offers everything from a beautiful grass ceremony site with large oak trees shading the area and a lovely arbor, to a magical hobbit garden, which sets the scene for enchanted pictures. Not your style, not to worry, because there are rolling hills of vineyards and a long pathway lined with plum trees which is a perfect setting for any photo opt. . The reception site can be held outside under the stars with beautiful bistro lights highlighting the dining and dancing area or you can have the reception inside in the “barn” which is both fully heated and air conditioned. The Bed and Breakfast is absolutely lovely and Whitney and Gard are the most hospitable owners and hosts. We felt completely at home for the weekend. Gard and Whitney were very accommodating and were able to help us with anything we needed. Leading up to the wedding, Whitney was a wealth of knowledge and was able to provide us with vendor information and answer any questions we had. Communication with the venue was easy and they always responded is a very timely manner. All of our vendors had positive feedback and they all found it to be a pleasure to work with both Gard and Whitney. Any questions they had, I was able to refer them to Gard and he was always very helpful. We walked away from our wedding weekend having made new friends. We look forward to returning to the Highlands Estate to celebrate anniversaries and know we will keep in contact with Gard and Whitney for many years to come. It’s a rare find to come across a wedding venue such as this and I highly recommend this venue to anyone looking for something out of the ordinary and extra special.

ytale. The weather was lovely, with a gentle breeze and a shady oak tree. Cocktail hour was twinkly and full of joy, with games and conversation. Then we ate dinner outdoors on Gard’s beautiful handmade tables. My husband and I snuck off for some dreamy photo shoots, as the landscape is varied and unique. And then we had a mega fun dance party in the barn. Busses picked up our guests and took them to their hotels, including a lovely place called the Old Crocker Inn. All of our guests have raved to us about the venue, and are grateful to have had an opportunity to come to this unique destination. Whitney and Gard are an absolute pleasure to work with. They are professional and incredibly kind. They are attentive to detail, and all of their design choices are tasteful and state of the art. Our vendors were so appreciative of how thorough they are. And believe me, you will you want your vendors to be happy and have an easy time. One of our most cherished aspects of the whole weekend was staying with our family at the b&b. Our bridal party came over early Saturday morning for the best day ever. The honeymoon suite is perfect for hair and makeup. The pool, groomsmen den, and huge common area make for fun memories. We did hours of research on venues in wine country with a barn, and upon visiting we knew immediately that this was the one. You won’t find another site like it, and your guests will thank you for it. It’s hard to imagine a better setting. Having our wedding at the Highlands was an auspicious start to our marriage, and we can’t wait to come back for anniversaries.

l the grounds of The Highlands Estate is! There are many vineyards on the property, an old gigantic beautiful oak tree and mountains in the background. Our decision was doubly confirmed after we met the owners Gard and Whitney and felt their genuine excitement for our day and the pride they took on their exceptional property. Every detail was thought through meticulously and constructed by Gard himself, from the pathway for the golf shuttle to get the bridal party to and from picture locations to the stunning farmhouse tables and chairs. We also were excited that I could spend the night with my mom and bridesmaids at their beautiful bed & breakfast the night before our wedding. On the day of our wedding, there ended up being record breaking heat at 115 degrees and our ceremony was outdoors. It obviously was a hot day but because the ceremony site was shaded, it cooled off our guests and we were able to enjoy the air conditioned barn afterwards. Our other vendors were thrilled that the barn had AC because that is not the case with most barns in Napa and Sonoma. Despite the heat, it was the most beautiful and special day of our lives! We could not imagine it anywhere else besides The Highlands Estate and we can't wait to go back to visit for anniversaries and weekend celebrations to come.

d on the lawn adjacent to the barn venue at the Highlands. Whitney and Gard made sure the day was absolutely perfect. And it was! We included the tram package to transport our friends, family, and of course, the wedding party around the grounds, and that was a godsend. It was especially convenient when we were taking sunset photos by the large oak tree and in the Serenity Forest. We took advantage of the handcrafted farm tables and wine barrels in the barn, and they added a rustic elegance to the reception. Additionally, the barn offers a built-in lighting and sound system, which is handy for the reception. All in all, I highly recommend The Highlands Estate. We will definitely be returning, as every time we have visited, we've been too busy in the evenings to enjoy the nighttime movie showing. That is on my to-do list! We secured the B&B for our family, and it was so convenient to have a place to get ready as well as a place so close to crash after the wedding. And I'm fairly certain a number of our guests were so impressed with the B&B that they plan to visit it themselves. I am always blown away at the generosity of Whitney and Gard. They welcome you into their home, and do so with such graciousness and always with smiles on their faces. You never want for anything when you are there, and the breakfasts are superb . . .I ALWAYS look forward to the breakfasts. For those considering getting married at The Highlands Estate in August, our wedding day was comfortable (80 degrees), and the Syrah grapes were purple, but not yet ready for picking.

the property. And that resulted into the perfect wedding!! I know people say not to expect perfection from your wedding, but seriously, it was perfect. The owners, Whitney and Gard, are absolutely wonderful to work with! Whitney has incredible taste and an amazing eye for design, while Gard is the guy that keeps all the venue in beautiful shape, which equals the perfect venue! They always had a positive and warm attitude which made us feel welcome and as if we had known them for a long time. They are both was extremely responsive and helpful with all questions and requests. And best of all, they did everything they could to help make every dream come true for us, from the white lights inside and out of the barn, to the curtain rods inside all the door so that we can hang all of the curtains we wanted to make the barn look magical and warm! What is really cool and unique about this venue is all the incredible things that they provide, like the hand-made barn tables, in addition to the picturesque scenery. Plus you and your closest family/friends get to stay on the property, which is the most beautiful B&B with a full gym, pool, and movie theatre. You cannot consider getting married in the Sonoma/Healdsburg area without thinking about this venue in Cloverdale. The barn was absolutely breathtaking, the hillside is gorgeous, and your guests will be in awe because of stunning the entire wedding day is.

We also loved owners Gard and Whitney, whose genuine warmth, flexibility and professionalism demonstrated to us that they cared as much about our wedding as we did. When we expressed concern we could not accommodate their preferred pick up time for rentals, without incurring a large fee, without hesitation, Gard and Whitney worked with us to find an agreeable solution. They also responded to our questions quickly, worked well with our vendors, and were extremely patient when we ran into problems with our DJ. We held our ceremony on their beautiful lawn, under a large Oak tree with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and vineyards, giving us stunning photos. Just above the ceremony site is the patio for cocktail hour, which was big enough for the large tent we had set up in case of rain. The best part of this venue is the beautiful barn where we hosted our reception. The barn is sophisticated with a touch of rustic charm and included handmade 8ft dining tables, market lights strung inside for perfect mood lighting, along with many other thoughtful details. I especially enjoyed the special hide away room for the bride to retouch makeup and keep personal items. The catering staff enjoyed the private catering room, outside prep area, and ease of moving staff and food around behind the scenes. Our guests loved the location and commented how special and unique it made our wedding. The space is open countryside but completely intimate at the same time. The site also features a B&B that Gard and Whitney run year round where we were able to get ready and spend the night making it so low stress for us. The Highlands Estate is a must see venue, for anyone with their own special day on the horizon.