ABOUT US
To create unforgettable memories in a space that inspires, captivates, and resonates the enchantment of human celebrations, reflecting the very essence of a single shared element of humanity; our beautiful souls.
MISSION
Provide our guests and community with a world-class event experience designed to build human relationships through indulgence, individual expression and creativity, and exceptional attention to detail.
VISION
ABOUT BELLE ÂME
Discover Belle Âme Vineyard: a modern Napa Valley haven in River Falls, WI. Belle Âme is a newly renovated event space that brings the sun-kissed vineyards of Napa Valley to the Midwest. Our venue, vineyard, and event space offer unforgettable weddings, corporate meetings and parties, wine tastings, and seasonal, light fare options.
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Join us for wine, beer, and craft cocktails, just a short 30-minute drive from the Twin Cities.
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Stay connected through our social media for updates on pop-up events and collaborations with local chefs.
MEET THE TEAM
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SASHA SKENDZEL
OWNER
Hello! I am Sasha Skendzel, the owner of Belle Ame Vineyard. I wear many hats, but love to start with my role as a mother of 3 children, aged 5 and under. At the moment, my days are full of life, learning, and growth. In my role as a business owner, each day I am more grateful than the last for the expertise each team member has in our tripart business model; as I myself am green in the event space. For the last 20 years, my career was focused on health care. I started my career journey as a medical assistant, later completing a bachelors of science in nursing, a masters, and a doctorate. In addition to being a nurse practitioner, I have been fortunate to give back to the field, serving as faculty in the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. Today I continue my role as a nurse practitioner overseeing the care of patients, as the Director of our Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) cancer survivorship clinic. In 2022, I began the journey that led to the foundation of Belle Ame Vineyard, all in an effort to bring beautiful soules (French, belle ame) together, heal as a provider, and support other like-minded female leaders. While I have had much to be grateful for in this life, seeing the vision for this beautiful vineyard through to fruition has truly been the gift of a lifetime.
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ELIZABETH PEAVEY
GENERAL MANAGER
Elizabeth Peavey wears many hats with finesse, not only as the Chef & Owner of Basil & Honey Charcuterie, but also as the General Manager at Belle Ame Vineyard. Beyond her culinary talents, she finds joy in mentoring employees, performing on stage, and traveling the world. A creative problem solver, Elizabeth is captivated by the allure of the vineyard, bringing her passion for both food and the arts to life in her diverse roles.
BRITTA FERRELL
DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING
Britta Ferrell is our Director of Sales & Marketing. She has many years of experience in communications, education, sales, and business management. She has always loved planning events and happens to love wine too – Belle Ame is the perfect fit! Britta has been married to her husband Mike for 25 years and has twin daughters who are currently enrolled at the University of Iowa – Go Hawks! Britta grew up in International Falls, MN (The Icebox of the Nation) and loves to spend time on Rainy Lake.
KATY BECHTEL
EVENT MANAGER
Hi, I’m Katy Bechtel and I am the Event Manager at Belle Ame Vineyard. Weddings and event planning is my passion and with vast knowledge of the industry and over 8 years of experience I couldn’t love my job more! Working at a vineyard venue is my expertise and I am surrounded by two of my favorite things – weddings and wine! I reside in River Falls, where Belle Ame is located, with my husband and two children, Lennon and Boone. I adore our small-town community and am so proud to be part of a business that contributes to its greatness.
DAKOTA VANDEBERG
ASSISTANT MANAGER OF EVENTS & SALES
Dakota Vandeberg is our Assistant Manager of Events & Sales. With a strategic mindset and strong interpersonal skills, she aims for seamless event execution. From client consultations to coordinating logistics, she thrives on delivering exceptional experiences to our forever-growing Belle Ame Vineyard Family. Dakota has a passion for building and began creating custom event rentals in 2019. Dakota enjoys motorsports, time on the water, traveling the world, spending quality time with family and friends, and her French Bulldog, Lemmie, who runs the show.
KATIE LAMBRIGHT
MARKETING & BRAND MANAGER
Katie Lambright is our Marketing & Brand Manager. Katie comes to us with 7 years of corporate marketing experience and a love of wine, making Belle Ame Vineyard the perfect fit. She enjoys all things design, art & media and is excited to grow her knowledge in the wedding and event industry. A recent bride herself, Katie and her husband, Marion, live in Baldwin with their Keeshond dog, Harley. In her free time, she loves cooking, staying active, exploring new towns and coffee shops, and visiting family and friends in Nebraska.
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RENOVATIONS
Exciting renovations are underway at Belle Âme Vineyard in 2023! Stay tuned as we enhance our picturesque space to provide an even more enchanting atmosphere for your celebrations and wine-tasting experiences.
"My wedding was an absolute dream at Belle Ame! We first decided on this venue when it was Belle Vinez because we loved the natural beauty of the venue outdoor areas. When I was told the venue was sold and being entirely renovated inside, I was definitely nervous. The outcome was INCREDIBLE. The renovations are stunning and made for so many great pictures indoors and out. Katy, the event manager, was an absolute angel and helped my stress levels tremendously. Many of our guests told us it was the most beautiful wedding they have ever been to which is a major compliment considering how little we effort we put into decor items - that is how beautiful the venue is on it's own. I may be biased but my experience with this venue was 10/10. I couldn't have asked for a better day!"
Katie G.
