Via Vecchia Review

TerraandSteve · April 2011

This is just a PSA for anyone thinking of using Via Vencchia for any of their wedding activities. My FI and I went there last Friday for a wine tasting on our "date night." There were so many things wrong with that place I hardly know where to begin. First it is located in an alley that is not the safest or easily accessed location. Then we walk in and realize we have to go all the way to the back to see someone about seating. We had a reservation and they basically told us just to sit anywhere...there were only like 5 tables (three of which were wine barrels with stools. So once we took a seat at one of the uncomfortable barrels (ladies don't wear a skirt) and started the wine tasting we realize that there are only 4 wines and our server was not knowledge about them at all. Finally when we were ready to leave we ask for the check and 20 min later get the check. Once we look at the hand-written bill, we realize that they tried to charge us TWICE for EVERYTHING (and the antipasto platter was stale). So we take the incorrect bill to the server who can't figure out the math and finally get a manager to correct their error.

The whole experience was pretty comical but if I were there for a wedding event I would have been pretty upset. To top it all off the bathroom there was a hot mess. First you have to go through this scary back room that looks like something out of Texas Chainsaw Massacre, then once you get into the bathroom there is no trash can. Yep that's right ladies no trash can at all, even though there are paper towels to dry your hands. Guess you are just supposed to take them back to your table and have your clueless server dispose of them LOL. This place is a HOT MESS. Good idea, bad idea execution. Hope I saved someone a wedding nightmare

nnoble4 · April 2011

OMG....that is crazy! How are they a winery with only 4 wines that the waiter knows nothing about? With only 4 wines, that waiter should be able to state absolutely everything about those wines!

MissOwl · April 2011

scary. they're on my list to look at once bf and i get engaged. i might still have to go because i'm so curious now.

KellyRVT · April 2011

My FI and I went there in February when we were in a scramble to pick a new venue. I love the exposed brick and the large dance floor area, but I hate the small room off of that where they painted the bricks white. It reminds me of a basement. The further back you go, the scarier it does get. They had a ton of stuff in storage around the wine vats. They said they were going to convert one of the rooms back there into a "getting ready room". Also, I was disappointed they only served red wines, I love red but am a fan of whites as well.

I think there is a lot of potential for the space, but right now it isn't complete enough for our taste. The bathrooms really were a hot mess, and in half the place you can't escape the Blair Witch feel to the building.

But, the wine was delicious and we did purchase a bottle that we took home with us.

buckeyesweetz · April 2011

I know your post was supposed to make people NOT want to go there.... but it sounds so ridiculous that I sorta want to see it just for the heck of it. Lol

TerraandSteve · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_ohio-columbus_via-vecchia-review?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:112Discussion:d5eafe5d-d9ab-48a8-afa1-f396daddff38Post:1acb89ed-ea65-4129-86a6-07f34fb5d141">Re: Via Vecchia Review</a>:
[QUOTE]I know your post was supposed to make people NOT want to go there.... but it sounds so ridiculous that I sorta want to see it just for the heck of it. Lol
Posted by buckeyesweetz[/QUOTE]

It is TOTALLY worth going too just for the absurdity of the whole place....and the four red wines that they do offer aren't to shabby either LOL.

jaymiemarie · April 2011

wow...i have a COMPLETELY different perspective. when my fiance and i walked in, there were grapes in the pit ready for pressing, they had only been open a few months...and i KNEW from the moment that i walked in that i wanted to be married there. we were looking for NOT a ballroom and this is definitely not a "typical" wedding space. I love the privacy of the alley and the exposed brick is amazing. i have had nothing but an amazing experience working with both michael and scott (the caterer) and feel very lucky to be working with them both. i can call either of them "just to check" on things and never feel like i am bothering them. michael and paolo (the winery dudes) are both SO knowledgable about the wine andthe time and labor intensive wine making process which means that they have 4 FANTASTIC wines as opposed to a wide variety of mediocre wines.

michael being the way he is, also let me get a "sneak peek" of their first wedding and i almost started crying at the beauty of the place. i also heard that scott's staff did a "flawless job."

it sounds more like you had one bad experience on an "off" night than anything else. i have been there on several occaisions and had nothing but great experiences. michael even opened up the place for me and a group of girlfriends on a night they weren't going to be open! he is just that great!

this might not be "the right" venue for you, but you also might not be looking for a traditional venue. either way, it has exceeded all of my expectations to date and i feel very lucky to have found this gem in columbus.

BMDunlap01 · April 2011

I'm probably taking your review and people's comments a little personal, but I'm offended by the things you've said about Via Vecchia. I've been there on three separate occasions and never had an experience like yours. I'm also having my wedding there in August and I couldn't be more excited and proud to have my event there.

I don't know how much you know about Via Vecchia but it is the epitome of a small business. It's four men that just opened the winery within the past year. Via Vecchia is a fully functioning winery in the midst of downtown. That means there are pallets, bottles and barrels to be able to make the wine. That gives the space character. And that so-called "scary back room that looks like something out of Texas Chainsaw Massacre," is hardly that. The room has to be kept dark and cool to let the wine properly age. This winery is rustic and a building with more than 200 years of character. If you went in expecting to be pampered and in a ballroom you obviously selected the wrong place.

What you witnessed was not a wedding and I don't think you should tell people to not have their event there simply because of your one wine tasting experience. You haven't seen what it is like during a wedding nor have you worked with the people there. I realize these boards are to share reviews and I've appreciated them in my own wedding planning. But make your review what it is, a review of an experience, not a wedding.

Via Vecchia is your non-traditional wedding venue that is perfect for brides who want something different than your standard country club or hotel ballroom. There's history, architectural elements that aren't seen in today's buildings, beautiful brick and wood beams. It is rustic, vintage and unique.

What makes Via Vecchia even more wonderful are the people who own it. They've made me feel a part of their community and have made me feel important. I don't feel like just another random bride. These people are passionate about wine and care about you. Pallo and Michael are who I've worked with the most and their caterer Scott. I'm so lucky they are there to help me plan my day.

jaymiemarie · May 2011

amen, sista!

RKPugs · June 2011

I'm sorry you had a bad experiece there but it was definitely not the experience I had while doing a wine tasting. I will agree that the bathroom is a little shady. And I wasn't a fan of the metal railings...but....we had a fantastic wine tasting there. And it was through a Groupon so they weren't making as much money as they would if we were normal paying customers. The staff was lovely and knew everything about the wines (which I loved and I'm picky). They gave us an extended tour of the property and answered all of our questions. The area is not unsafe at all. Our good friends live across the street and we walked from their condo.

JaredandLaura · June 2011

We also had a FABULOUS experience at Via Vecchia. The early posts seemed to be scribed before VV really had a chance to get their feet under them--so I think it is unfair to draw judgment from a company's first few months. They have renovated so much since April, and the place improves every day. As for white wine, they don't make it, but they do offer their recommended white wine for receptions (you can suggest other wines if you want). As for knowledgeable servers--I'm not sure who you talked to. Those guys REALLY know what they are talking about. When we came in for our anniversary last November, we got a tour and an extensive explanation of the wine making process--Michael's passion was invigorating.
We didn't want the same ballroom feel that every single other wedding in Columbus seemed to offer; we LOVED that this place was rustic and that the VV guys really cared about their customers. Unlike most other venues, we weren't just another couple booking a reception place--we were a couple they wanted to know; they have even taken the time to get to know our families. Michael contacts us with ideas about table numbers and favors, and he has offered to meet with us any time we've texted him. He has been unbelievably great.
While we haven't had our reception yet, in my experience over the last eight months, I think VV would do or explain just about anything you asked if they knew it was important to you. We can't wait for our wedding. If it is half as good as our other experiences at VV, we know it will be fantastic!

Gardnme · January 2012

For the brides looking for an AMAZING, unconventional, beautiful, and personal experience in their wedding I will tell you that that woman is CRAZY!!!

If you are looking for a ballroom experience with awful food and stuffy staff, Via Vecchia Winery is NOT the place for you. The Winery is Family owned and every detail has a personal touch. That is just what you will get from Michael and his wife and their business partner Paolo. They have made me feel like their own daughter through this process. I had visisted several other venues and none of them could compare to Via Vecchia. They have spent hours of their time and many bottles of their wine to discuss my special day. I can call Michael at any time and he will go out of his way to meet with me. The catering from Catering by Scott is amazing! And Scott will tell you that every one of his brides is like his own daughter.

The winery is old and located off an alley but that is all about the personality. For Christ's sake thats why it is called the historic Brewery District of Columbus. It has concrete floors, and wooden trusses, with the original brick walls and roads. The alley way is private and provides the most beautiful scene for your ceremony, with italian drop lights that run from building to building. The counters and bars are made of stomp wood with grapes from the many stomps that they invite all of their friends and brides to do with them. Every bride and groom gets to see their name burnt into a wooden plank that will remind you of your special day everytime you walk in there.

Had you taken a few minutes to make yourself at home and spoken to the owners, you would have found out that the people at Via Vecchia are amazing and the venue is to die for!!!!

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