Services:
Established:	1928
Employees:	10
Accepts:

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Click here to see beautiful weddings celebrated at Holman Ranch

  

High atop the sunny hills of Carmel Valley rests Holman Ranch and Vineyard, a historic private residence available for your one-of-a-kind event. Blessed with a treasure chest of scenic jewels, the ranch has a rich legacy of hosting society’s elite. Originally built in 1928 as a gentlemen’s retreat, the secluded location was a favorite hideaway for Old Hollywood celebrities like Charlie Chaplin. When the Holmans purchased the property in 1943, their improvements helped make the ranch the center of the Carmel Valley social scene. Recently, the 392-acre spread was adopted by the Lowder family, who’ve completed a loving restoration that retains the ranch’s Old World character while adding up-to-the-minute luxuries. This 21st-century renaissance features enhanced interiors and lavish outdoor spaces that make the most of the spectacular view-filled grounds.

A private road climbs to the ranch’s pond and stables, where golf carts shuttle guests to the hilltop entrance. Arriving at the Main Plaza, visitors get a captivating first impression: a mélange of red-tile roofs, landscaped walkways, shade trees and glimpses of grapevines against a mountainous panorama. Finally eyes rest on the Hacienda itself, an architectural gem crafted of Carmel stone and oak, with tile and metal details. This easy blend of grand Spanish style and relaxed Western attitude evokes an aura of rustic elegance.

Both varied and flexible, Holman Ranch holds so many possibilities…so why not stage each phase of your event in a different spot? Ceremonies are gorgeous on the Hacienda Lawn, which sweeps to the edge of a hillside studded with pinot noir grapevines. Wedding guests have an endless view of the Carmel Valley, alive with chaparral, oak trees and hawks soaring overhead. As the sunset burnishes the Santa Lucia Mountains, the scene becomes even more postcard-perfect. Against this breathtaking backdrop, couples say their vows atop the Ceremony Veranda, a demilune stone platform that seems suspended above the valley floor.

After “I dos,” serve cocktails on the nearby Stone Terrace, which is ringed with olive trees. Everyone is free to relax in the adjoining Great Room, where a vaulted ceiling, fireplace and player piano contribute to a comfortable, homey ambiance.

Receptions bask in the warm valley twilight out on the Rose Patio, dressed with rose bushes and potted citrus trees. Family-style rehearsal dinners might prefer the Arbor, a magnificent wooden promenade at the Plaza’s center, where olive trees and young grapevines lend a Mediterranean flair. Afterwards, move the party to the barn-style Carriage House, where an explosion of twinkle lights along whitewashed rafters creates the illusion dancing beneath a star-filled sky.

When it’s time to cut the wedding cake, gather friends and loved ones in the Hacienda’s Inner Courtyard. Here high stone walls surround an enclave built of moss-fringed tiles and graced with an old oak tree at the center. Some couples hang paper lanterns or fairy lights from its spreading boughs, while the cake is showcased beneath a white gauze canopy.

And let yourself think outside the wedding: Host a casual welcome dinner or barbecue that includes bocce ball, croquet or trail rides, so the families can get acquainted before the main event. You can even throw a pool party, complete with umbrella drinks and beach balls. From refined entertainment to laid-back fun, Holman Ranch and Vineyard can arrange it all, and oh so well.

Click here to view a wedding video at Holman Ranch

HD Video Memories	This venue is one of a kind with some breath taking views! If you are looking for something extra special and exclusive, make sure to visit Holman Ranch; you will love it!
BigTime Video Services	Have you been to Holman Ranch lately? All I can say is "Wow!" No detail has been overlooked. The vibe is warm and wonderful. Every improvement has been thoughtfully crafted and in keeping with the historic Spanish hacienda ranch style. Those of us who have been working at this property for years have grown to love Holman Ranch - and it keeps getting better! Owner/Manager Hunter Lowder is very attentive to detail and will oversee your event masterfully. Hunter and her team are also pioneers in their painstaking selection process of the venue's preferred vendor list. I'm very proud to be included in this list and I always look forward to our next shoot at Holman Ranch! Peri Basseri, BigTime Video Services
Nick Elliott - Disc Jockey	Holman Ranch is nothing less than paradise. From its humble beginnings as a gentleman's retreat, through its "hay day" as a destination for the rich and famous, and now, to its pinnacle as Carmel Valley's ultimate destination for weddings and events, Holman Ranch has managed to WOW everyone once again! When you think it couldn’t get any better, the staff at the ranch always delivers. The rejuvenation of the main house is simply stunning, the reworked landscapes are breathtaking and the views are indescribable. (They’ve been there forever!) Now with the addition of the valley's most beautiful guestrooms, Holman is unchallenged as Monterey County's most sought after wedding and event venue. I’ve never had anything but an amazing experience at Holman Ranch. The staff, the history, the beauty and the unmistakable feeling of home make the ranch the place to be.