San Diego Wine & Culinary Center

edding venue: an intimate and rustic environment without any of the 'corporate' feel. We loved that the space felt very personal, cozy and that guests could easily go to the lovely patio if they wanted some fresh air. We were initially attracted to the venue for its central location, but we fell in love with the barrel wall for the ceremony and the candles that warmed up the rooms. They were also very accomodating for the dragon dancers we wanted for a little cultural vibrancy for the wedding. I also really enjoyed working with Kim, Liz and the team at San Diego Wine & Culinary Center. They were super helpful, responsive and proactive to accomodating our needs. Their new event director, Kim, came aboard about 2 months before my wedding and she was so wonderful and on top of everything. My guests had a fantastic time interacting with her and even my bridal party commented that she was so friendly and helpful! Please note, the venue works with one specific caterer (which helps for eliminating options) and any other vendor you want to use requires insurance.

thly. We couldn't have asked for more. Shannon assisted us with coordinating all the details, including customizing our menu, wine selection, and the decor. We enjoyed a lovely food tasting and were introduced to Continental Catering, their preferred caterers, who also handles linens and decor. They have a wide selection to choose from and will accommodate your vision or provide suggestions. We went back and forth multiple times on the menu, while Shannon prepared multiple rounds of proposals. She never complained once and was courteous, professional and quick to respond to our gazillion questions. We considered bringing in a dessert vendor and she was happy to accommodate. We asked to put lawn games out on the patio near the fire pits and she was happy to accommodate. We asked for a kids' corner and she was happy to accommodate. Honestly, one of the reasons why we decided to go with the W&C Center was because of Shannon. She is incredibly easy to work with, carries a positive attitude and does her job WELL. When planning a large event, the last thing you need is someone who is over-bearing, pushy, unresponsive or inflexible. She accommodated every need we asked for and made sure her staff followed through with our requests. In addition, Kenny the GM, was very personable, charming and made our guests feel welcome. His professionalism and passion for what he does definitely shines through. He even invited us to return for an anniversary wine tasting on the house! By the end of the night, we received many compliments on this venue and how beautifully everything came together. We full-heartedly recommend the SD W&C Event Center. Stop by and take a tour because it is truly a gem.

th Shannon, Kenny, and the entire team. Finding a wedding venue was the most difficult process of wedding planning for me. After attending 9 of my friends’ rustic style weddings in the last 2 years, I wanted something different. I’ve always loved the vibrancy of downtown Gaslamp but couldn’t grasp the price tag of a lot of the fancy hotels. When I found the Wine & Culinary Center and met Shannon and Kenny for a tour, I knew instantly that this was it, I found the perfect venue. The interior is very warm and inviting and makes you feel like you’re in wine country. Step outside on the patio and the venue transforms itself, feeling like a hip downtown establishment with views of beautiful palm trees, the convention center, and tall skyscrapers. I just loved how versatile the venue felt; Romantic and warm on the inside, while trendy and energetic on the outside! The Event Manager Shannon was so easy to work with when it came to any requests I had. She knows how to do her job well and she does it with ease, kindness, and poise. I loved how dedicated she was at helping me with any little thing. From rearranging the seating chart a dozen times to accommodate our large group of 170 guests, to tailoring a custom bar menu to fit our budget and taste. My absolute favorite was how she decorated the venue with beautifully lit candles everywhere to add ambiance...so thoughtful, it was the perfect touch! The night of our wedding was absolute perfection. The venue was decorated exactly how I had outlined, and the event went on without a hitch. Bar Manager Kenny was constantly checking in with us, making sure we had all we needed including a drink in our hands at all time. Not to mention, our Signature drinks were the BEST TASTING drinks I have ever had at a wedding, ever! A true craft cocktail, made to perfection each time. All my guests were raving about the “Grooms Cup” and the “Blushing Bride,” it was great! Guests also commented on how knowledgeable Kenny was on liquor and spirits, and how professional, kind, and funny he was! His presence as the bar manager that night really elevated the experience for me and everyone in attendance. If I ever have another large event to host in the future I will definitely think of Shannon, Kenny and the Wine & Culinary Team, as my experience couldn’t have been more magical. THANK YOU guys for making our wedding the most memorable and beautiful day of our lives. We love you!

2015 and all I can is wow! Wow! Wow! I don’t even know where to start. This place is truly a special gem. This was a destination wedding for us. About 95 of our 111 guests were coming from our home town in Northern California. Since this was a mini vacation for most of our guests, we wanted a venue in an area that would be fun for them, where they could walk to different activities and enjoy their time in San Diego. It doesn’t get much better than right in the heart of downtown! My search for the perfect venue started with my vision of a trendy, urban loft style wedding. We’ve all seen those stunning pictures on Pinterest right? Well, I was a bit discouraged when I looked at a big, empty loft and realized what it would take to get it to what I was envisioning. Coordinating all of the details of bringing in chairs, equipment, furniture, décor, bar, food, etc. Not to mention the costs. It felt overwhelming and not something I was up to tackling. I didn’t want the stress, especially planning from a distance. I walked away feeling a bit deflated and re-thinking my wedding vision. Then I walked in to San Diego Wine & Culinary. I don’t know how I found it, it wasn’t even on my radar, but as I walked in, I knew we had found our happy place. This venue has so much charm and character. I immediately fell in love with the idea of guests being able to hang out on the patio around fire pits and I loved the idea of getting married in front of a wine barrel wall, surrounded by hundreds of candles. The staff was hands down amazing from start to finish. They definitely know their business, and they know their venue. When I explained what we had in mind, they offered suggestions for creative floorplans and the best uses of the space and the furniture and equipment available. They helped us with menu and bar option and even helped with some of the décor set up the day of our wedding. Speaking of décor, we didn’t have to do much because this place is already beautiful with candles everywhere. This isn’t specific to this venue, but it’s worth mentioning. A wedding in downtown San Diego is awesome! Our guests loved the convenience and all the fun activities we packed into their mini vacation. We did a hotel room block at a neighboring hotel, a cocktail party the night before the wedding at the rooftop bar of the Hard Rock Hotel, a brunch the day after the wedding at the Horton Grand Hotel. Then those who didn’t have to head home yet hopped on the ferry to Coronado. We all met up again that night for dinner. Everything was within walking distance and oh so much fun! I’ll wrap this up now. I feel like this has turned into a big brag about our wedding, but my point is that it was all possible because somehow we stumbled upon this incredible wine room type loft venue, right in the heart of downtown.