Venue shopping is genuinely hard. We've put together a straightforward feature comparison to help you see how these two properties differ — so you can make the decision that's right for your celebration.
Ru's Farm and The Highlands Estate are two of the relatively few Northern California wine country venues that offer both a barn and on-site lodging — making this a more meaningful comparison for couples who want the full weekend experience.
Key differences: The Highlands Estate is climate-controlled (heat and A/C), while Ru's Farm is not. The Highlands Estate has a maximum capacity of 200 guests versus 150 at Ru's Farm. Ru's Farm requires wine purchase from the property; The Highlands Estate has no such requirement. Event time extends to midnight at The Highlands Estate versus 9PM at Ru's Farm.
For a complete picture of what's included at The Highlands Estate, visit our Amenities page.
| Feature | The Highlands Estate | Ru's Farm |
|---|---|---|
| Custom farm tables included | ✓ | — |
| Four-season barn (dining, dancing & ceremony) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Choice of preferred caterers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Required in-house catering | — | — |
| Required bar package | — | — |
| Hard alcohol permitted | ✓ | ✓ |
| Two dressing suites | ✓ | One suite |
| On-site guest shuttle | ✓ | — |
| On-site lodging | ✓ | ✓ |
| Producing vineyards on property | ✓ | ✓ |
| Maximum event capacity | 200 | 150 |
| Indoor dining capacity | 133 | 150 |
| Climate-controlled indoor space | ✓ | — |
| Rain-protected dining capacity | 178 | 150 |
| Tenting required for rain | — | — |
| Base event duration | 6 hours | 6 hours |
| Early access fee (3pm) | — | — |
| Hidden ceremony microphones | ✓ | — |
| Weather-protected ceremony arbor | ✓ | — |
| Set far back from public roads | ✓ | ✓ |
| Standard event start time | 4PM | 4PM |
| Latest event time (with music) | Midnight | 9PM |
| No wine purchase requirement | ✓ | — |
Tours are by appointment — we prepare the property fully for each visit. Request our pricing brochure or schedule a tour to experience the Estate in person.
