Park Winters
www.parkwinters.com | (530) 669-3692
27850 County Road 26, Winters, CA 95694
Location Type: Rustic/Historic/B&B/Outdoors
Indoor Capacity: 150 in barn/50 in Victorian
Outdoor Capacity: up to 300
Catering:
The Vixens fell in love with Park Winters when they first opened, and we have remained in love ever since! This review is “freshened up a bit” due to the wonderful changes and enhancements to this Yolo County country venue. John Martin and Rafael Galiano, co-owners of this showplace have vision, style, grace and the ability to “get it.” With the gorgeous 1865 Queen Anne Victorian that anchors all of Park Winters, their motto is “Simple Country Luxury. Amen to that!
We drove the short 1 hour drive from downtown Sacramento (about 1 ¼ hours from San Francisco), to reach the countryside that surrounds Park Winters. The gleaming white ornate gingerbread Victorian has quite a presence in the natural setting. Through the 140+ years of its existence, landscaping has been added amongst the majestic Heritage Valley oak trees shading much of the manicured lawns, hedges and bushes. Flower beds, planted pots and a lovely fountained Koi pond accent the gardens. If you’re lucky, you might see the cute water turtles poking their heads up around the blooming lily pads. Surround-sound throughout the grounds makes a nice addition for weddings, garden parties, socials and company picnics that can easily fit within the lawn spaces of the property – and the views of the distant hillsides and crops of the nearby farms are serene. Because of the configuration of the gardens, various sizes of functions can take place… from a lovely wedding ceremony, to a corporate shebang for 300. We envision a strolling cocktail party in the Sunken Garden with its white roses and lavender blooming… this one spot alone will have you feeling as if you are in a terraced European Garden setting.
The interior space of the mansion of Park Winters is exquisite. The fine workmanship of days gone-by is evident at every turn. Leaded and stained glass windows, crystal chandeliers, ornate carved wood staircase with beautiful banisters and turn posts are works of art. Polished floors and handsome area rugs in front of fireplaces… and all this just on the first floor! The 4 sleeping guestrooms are beautifully appointed with antique furnishings, but please don’t think of this as being some musty old house… the owners have upgraded just about every inch with Wi-Fi, in-room air conditioning and heating controls, fresh paint in shades of whites/creams/ivory and super luxurious bedding – and the bathrooms are gorgeous, too. There is even a fun space in the loft that can sleep an additional 10 guests in family style fashion (the antique bed frames are very cool).
Now for those readers who wish more rustic country… just steps away, one can meander the paths and gardens to discover the fig forest, the vegetable garden, check out a fantastic tractor (photos ops!) and the most incredible “museum of collectibles” which are being displayed and showcased in the original owner’s tiny 2 room farmhouse. While the grand house was being built, this is where the owners lived – rustic, plain and simple, but what a cool place to explore! Brides are invited to share their bouquet to hang from the exposed rafters – dried, artistic awesomeness!
You love barns? Well, the new barn (no smelly cow ever saw the inside of this room) is incredible! Beautiful and unique chandeliers and hanging lights, windows looking out to the ample porch, fire feature and the fields and distant hillside is perfection. Dance inside the barn, or move out through the French doors to the generous paved area to dance under the stars… it’s your choice and your vision.
We’re not done gushing… enter through the custom made 15′ tall door (built by a local artist) leading to the gorgeous “walk in” swimming pool which could be perfect to dip your toes on a warm evening, or if the night time air has a bit of a nip, gather around the built in fire pit next to the Jacuzzi – this place is paradise for a weekend destination event.
You just need to make a visit to Park Winters to see what all the fuss is about!! Our Vixen photographer, Allison Stahl, took so many fab photos… we had a hard time keeping the gallery to a reasonable showing!
Check out some updates on our blog at In the News,
~Vixen Lora
