Outdoor Southern California receptions are the most common venue we ship to. The brief is specific: the wine has to taste right at eighty-five degrees, the label has to survive condensation from ice buckets and chilled tables, and the bottle has to look right under late-afternoon to sunset light.
White wine handling
The Countryside Select white travels well in chilled conditions. We recommend the wine be stored at 50 degrees overnight before the event, then iced down at the venue forty-five minutes before service. The labels on chilled whites condense; our cream paper stock survives the condensation without curling. Glossy white labels do not. The cream is the right substrate for outdoor service.
Red wine handling
The Moonlight Select red wants to be served at 62 to 64 degrees, which is cooler than most outdoor venues' ambient. We recommend the red be held in a wine cooler or shaded bin until service. Pouring red at ambient temperature in an outdoor reception is the most common avoidable mistake we see at California weddings.
Label light
Antique gold foil reads warmer under low sunset light than under noon sun. We recommend afternoon-into-sunset receptions over high-noon ceremonies for the label to do its best work. The label reads as serious under warm light and as flat under hard light. The lighting is part of the design.
Lead time
Standard one to two weeks from approval. We ship to the venue or to the couple's address. Most outdoor weddings benefit from a Tuesday or Wednesday arrival for a Saturday wedding, with the wine resting before service.