Vendor Spotlight: Via Vecchia Winery
Rustic, Old-World charm sets a romantic tone at Via Vecchia Winery, a fully functional urban winery nestled just off Front Street in the heart of the historic Brewery District.
Meaning "the old way" in Italian, Via Vecchia's traditional way of winemaking, paired with the character of its 19th-century space, creates an intimate setting for wedding ceremonies and celebrations. The 7,700-square-foot main room contains original exposed brick walls and wood ceiling beams, along with convenient access to a gated outdoor patio in the entryway. A split-level layout comfortably accommodates 250 people for sit-down meals and 485 people for cocktail events. And whether couples are interested in a brunch or evening ceremony and reception, Via Vecchia offers both with indoor and outdoor ceremony possibilities.
A highlight of this venue is that the wines are all-natural and hand-crafted onsite from family recipes passed down to vintner and co-owner Paolo Rosi, using grapes imported from Lodi, California. During the cocktail hour, guests can enjoy wine tasting in the Barrel Room, a two-sided bar with beer and liquor on one half and wine and house-made sangria on the other. "We have a very efficient bar service," says co-owner Michael Elmer, adding that the layout initiates an easy flow of traffic and gives wine-drinkers the opportunity to take their time while selecting a featured wine. During the reception, a fully functional bar can be accessed in the main room.
When it comes to the menu, couples have a choice between Milo's Catering and Creative Cuisine Catering, and are welcome to bring their own cake and desserts or work with one of the catering partners. For late-night snacking, Elmer suggests considering a food truck rental, with space to park in the adjoining alley.
Because the previous building tenant was Ludlow's Bar, a live music venue, Via Vecchia's space is equipped with top-notch acoustics for a band or DJ. Other benefits of the venue include a photo booth rental and access to the parking lot, available for a flat rate that includes passes and a parking attendant.
Creating a memorable wedding experience and fostering a sense of community is important to the owners at Via Vecchia, says Elmer, adding that, "We really treat everyone like family." Couples can take part in grape crushing events, and brides can share ideas and support with other brides online through Via Vecchia's private Facebook page.
Elmer recommends that couples reach out to Via Vecchia staff as soon as they're engaged if they're interested in booking the space. "When couples make the decision [for their venue]-it's a big decision and we don't take that for granted," he says, sharing that he and Rosi are available for after-hours and weekend appointments to help give couples flexibility to see the venue in advance. "Peak ins" can also be arranged for couples to help them visualize the space when it's prepared for another wedding.
Helping couples create their perfect wedding experience is the priority, says Elmer. "We want them to feel really good about where they got married."
Via Vecchia Winery
485 S. Front St., Columbus
614-893-5455