Nevada County Winery Wedding Venue Naggiar on “Wine Talk”

Dec 4

Meet the Family Behind the Wine (and the Weddings)

Naggar (pronounced “Nah-jar”) isn’t a faceless brand; it’s a family.

Maryna—the tasting room manager, social media brain, and resident people-person—married into the Naggiar family and into the winery. Her father-in-law Mike and mother-in-law DiAnn built this entire dream from a one-acre hobby vineyard into a meticulously-planted 60-acre estate.

What that means for your wedding day:

The place is lived in and loved, not just “staged” for events.
There’s usually a Naggiar family member on-site.
Hospitality is personal: guests are treated like extended family, not headcount.

Why This Winery Feels Like a Destination Wedding (Without Travel Drama)

Guests describe Naggiar as “in the middle of nowhere” and “an oasis of tranquility.” Both are correct.

Picture this for your ceremony:

A ceremony lawn overlooking estate vines and a large pond.
A Tuscan-inspired villa backdrop that looks like you “eloped to Italy” but your guests only drove 45 minutes from Sacramento.
Soft light rolling across the hills at golden hour, when your photographer suddenly becomes your favorite vendor of all time.

From the patio, you see:

Rows of carefully-tended vines (they literally joke the vineyard looks like a golf course because it’s so precise).
The water glinting below your reception area.
A setting that feels like Lake Tahoe, Napa, and Tuscany had a very photogenic baby in the Sierra Foothills.

You can see more of that in real winery wedding photos in our Naggiar gallery.

How the Wine Story Makes Your Wedding Better

Mike’s original goal? “Be the best grape grower in all of California.”
Subtle, right?

He brought in a UC Davis consultant, carefully selected clones, considered elevation, aspect, and airflow, and planted the vineyard to match the warm days and cool nights of Nevada County. Translation: the vines were set up for success from day one.

Why couples should care:

Estate-grown fruit: Naggiar controls the vines, the farming, and the winemaking. No mystery grapes.
Quality over quantity: They “drop fruit” (literally cut off perfectly good clusters) to concentrate flavor—because they’d rather make excellent wine than just more wine.
Award-winning wines: Multiple 90+ point scores from national wine publications, with standouts like their Sangiovese and Rhône-style blends (hello, inky Petite Sirah).

On your wedding day, that means:

The wine service is a highlight, not an afterthought.
You can design pairings that actually stand up to your menu.
Guests who are “wine people” will be quietly impressed. Loudly, after the second glass.

To get a feel for what’s possible, start with Naggiar winery wedding pricing and packages.

Guest Experience: What Your People Can Do on Property

Naggiar isn’t just “arrive, ceremony, eat, leave.” For regular visitors, it’s an all-afternoon destination—and that’s a huge advantage for weddings.

Here’s how that translates for your celebration (availability varies by season, but these are the vibes):

Tasting Room
Guests can arrive early to enjoy a curated tasting flight, easing into the day instead of sitting in traffic.
Bistro Bites
Think shareable plates, small bites, and easy-going dishes that pair beautifully with estate wines. Perfect for a welcome gathering or post-rehearsal hangout.
Live Music Weekends
During the warm months, Naggiar hosts live music—often Friday and Saturday evenings. For a wedding weekend, this can feel like built-in entertainment for out-of-town guests.
Eco-Shuttle Vineyard Tours
This might be my favorite part. Naggiar runs eco-shuttle tours through the vines, with stops for grape tasting (in season), wine-and-cheese pairings, and even barrel tasting in the barrel room.
- Short tours (about 30–45 minutes) are great as guest activity.
- In-depth “behind the scenes” tours run longer and are ideal for a wedding weekend add-on or welcome event.

Imagine your nearest and dearest the day before your wedding: cruising through the vines, sipping wine on a hilltop with 180-degree views, and getting a crash course in how your wedding wine was made. Hard to beat.

For smaller celebrations that want a relaxed, immersive feel, take a look at Nevada County micro-weddings at Naggiar.

Planning Your Nevada County Winery Wedding at Naggiar

Here’s a simple planning flow to keep you sane:

1. Decide on Size + Season

Spring (April–June)
Lush green vines, cooler evenings, ideal for outdoor ceremonies and alfresco receptions.
Summer (July–August)
Warm, dry, long golden hour—perfect for sunset ceremonies and late-night dancing by the water.
Fall (September–October)
Harvest energy, grapes on the vines, and rich colors. If you want the full vineyard mood, this is the move.

Naggiar hosts everything from intimate micro-weddings to full estate-style celebrations. For current capacities and minimums, the fastest route is to get in touch with the Naggiar weddings team.

2. Map Out Guest Logistics

Use Naggiar as your “midpoint” hub:

Guests from Grass Valley and Auburn are practically local.
Roseville and Sacramento folks can day-trip without booking a hotel (though a weekend away never hurts).
Lake Tahoe lovers will appreciate how close they are to the mountains if they’re turning your wedding into a mini-vacation.

Include clear directions and timing in your invites or wedding website so no one panics when they hit country roads and vines.

3. Build Your Wine & Food Experience

Work with the team to:

Choose a set of estate wines that match your menu and crowd—maybe a bright Sangiovese for dinner and a big Rhône blend with Petite Sirah for toasts.
Decide whether to host a pre-wedding tasting or vineyard tour with your wedding party.
Plan your reception flow so guests naturally move from ceremony lawn → cocktail hour by the pond → dinner and dancing under the lights.

4. Lock in the Details (Without Losing Your Mind)

Confirm ceremony and reception locations on-site.
Ask about barrel room access for photos or cocktail hour.
Use the winery’s on-the-ground knowledge: best light, best breeze, best views.

And yes—lean heavily on your coordinator and Naggiar’s team. They live here; you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

Local Signals (So You Can Calm Your Relatives)

Drive Times: ~15 minutes from Hwy 49 at the Auburn/Grass Valley corridor; ~40–45 minutes from Roseville; about an hour from Sacramento depending on traffic.
Weather: Classic Sierra Foothills—warm, dry summers with cool evenings that are perfect for outdoor receptions. Shoulder seasons are especially dreamy.
Airports: Sacramento International Airport is the go-to for out-of-state guests, with a straightforward drive up to Nevada County.
Nearby Stays: Grass Valley and Auburn offer hotels, inns, and vacation rentals so guests can make a weekend of it.

Pro Tips

Plan your ceremony time around golden hour—ask your photographer and the venue to help you nail this.
Build in time for you two to sneak away into the estate vines for sunset portraits. (No one ever regrets this. Ever.)
Use the vineyard tour as a welcome event; guests arrive already relaxed and impressed.
Feature at least one of Naggiar’s signature reds (like a Rhône blend with Petite Sirah) for your big toast.

Common Mistakes

Underestimating drive time and not clearly communicating directions. (Your GPS-hating uncle will thank you.)
Treating the winery like “just a backdrop” instead of a fully immersive guest experience.
Skipping a rain or heat backup plan—this is California, but also: this is California.
Waiting too long to inquire for peak-season Saturdays; they go fast.

FAQs

Where is Naggiar Winery located for weddings?
Naggiar Winery sits halfway between Auburn and Grass Valley in Nevada County, about 15 minutes off Hwy 49 and roughly 40–45 minutes from Roseville, making it an easy day trip from the Sacramento area.
Is Naggiar a good fit for destination-style winery weddings?
Yes—without the plane tickets. The Tuscan-inspired villa, estate vines, pond, and sweeping views give major destination-wedding energy while keeping your guests comfortably in Northern California.
What can guests do before and after our ceremony at Naggiar?
Depending on timing and season, guests can enjoy wine tasting, bistro bites, live music on select weekends, or even an eco-shuttle tour through the vines and into the barrel room for a behind-the-scenes experience.
How many guests can Naggiar host for a wedding?
Naggiar hosts both intimate micro-weddings and larger estate-style celebrations. Capacity and layout options vary by season and event style, so the best way to confirm current details is to contact the weddings team directly.
What is the best season for a Nevada County winery wedding?
Spring and fall are especially popular for mild temperatures and lush or harvest-ready vines, while summer offers warm evenings and long golden-hour light. Naggiar can help you choose a date that fits your weather comfort zone and vision.

Rich Foreman