Lake Valhalla Club (Photo by Anthony Ziccardi)
historic 1792 stone Manor House. Cocktails hours can take place on the patio or front party!). For the ceremony, the lawn behind the mansion provides picturesque view porch, or on the Great Lawn beneath the shade of towering magnolia and sycamore of the Home Vineyard, the original estate vineyard of the winery. The ceremony and trees high atop the Delaware River. Dinner receptions are hosted in a secluded corner reception can also be held in several other unique areas, including the post-and-beam of the property, and catered with a four-course gourmet dinner beneath a beautiful tent winery floor, the stone-walled Cave Room with wine barrels, or under a twin highatop a permanent wood platform. peak tent on the new brick patio adjacent to the winery. The 3,200-square-foot tent is “We typically hold our weddings outdoors,” said Passalacqua, who added that complete with twinkle lights, chandeliers, and optional palladium window siding for smaller events can be hosted in the Manor House during late fall, winter, and early chilly evenings. spring. “Each of these spaces provides a special atmosphere and a wedding venue unlike Wedding weekends at the Woolverton Inn any other,” said General Manager John Cifelli. provide a unique opportunity for family and “The wine is pretty good, too — Unionville was friends to reunite and spend quality time together named one of Food & Wine magazine’s Top 500 before, during, and after the wedding. “We wineries in the country for 2017, and we are a encourage our wedding clients to feel as if they leading producer on the entire East Coast.” were hosting the wedding in their own home, The land of Unionville itself is a rich without the stress, handing over the planning and patchwork of American history,” added Cifelli. execution to our competent staff and vendors so “George Washington led his troops over much of that they can really enjoy this special occasion,” the area, and camped nearby on the grounds that said Passalacqua. now nourish some of our finest vines.” Couples getting married on a Saturday Channeling the charm of the outdoors typically reserve all 14 guest rooms for both Friday and infused with modern, rustic elegance, and Saturday evenings. Overnight guests receive the Lake Valhalla Club in Montville (www. a full three-course Woolverton country breakfast lakevalhallaclub.com; 973.334.3190) offers a on Saturday and Sunday mornings. During the lakeside setting surrounded by a canopy of serene wedding weekend couples also have full use of trees and majestic mountaintops to celebrate your the property, which provides the possibility to Woolverton Inn (Courtesy of Woolverton Inn) big day, or any other special occasion. have a rehearsal dinner onsite on Friday evening Serving members and the public since the that can be catered in a variety of ways — from food truck picnics to something more 1930s, Lake Valhalla Club’s English Tudor clubhouse provides the backdrop for formal. guests to enjoy a memorable dining experience with the personal touch of dedicated If you would like the dramatic backdrop of a vineyard, Unionville Vineyards in hospitality specialists. The vintage-chic ballroom with two grand stone fireplaces and Ringoes (www.unionvillevineyards.com; 908.788.0400) provides an idyllic setting on floor-to-ceiling windows affords up to 225 guests panoramic views of the lake. an 89-acre preserved farm winery nestled in the pastoral hills of Hunterdon County. At Lake Valhalla Club, only one wedding at a time is held to ensure every detail The stately 1858 Farmhouse Mansion makes for a charming space to prepare for is met and hosts and their guests feel the care and attention that their special event your special day (and provides a hideaway to steal a few private moments during the deserves. Not only can the award-winning venue craft specialty cocktails, if you have FEBRUARY 2018 PRINCETON MAGAZINE
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