Former football star Jeremy Newberry and Sabrina Rippie were married last Saturday in a breezy outdoor wedding ceremony set against the backdrop of a cloudless sky and Mt. Diablo. The event not only celebrated their official union as man and wife, but marked the grand opening of Newberry Estate Vineyards, their latest business venture.

“It’s not just a backyard wedding. It’s a lot more than that,” Sabrina said. “It’s the secret garden.”

Indeed, the Newberrys have elevated the concept of a backyard wedding to new heights, offering an intimate, lushly landscaped, picture-perfect setting on the Newberry property. Begun in January of this year and built from the ground up – the Newberrys getting down and dirty as well – the venue is an effortlessly elegant outdoor oasis in rural Brentwood.

“We tried to provide everything we possibly could to be the best,” Sabrina said. “We want people to walk in and their jaws to drop, unaware that all this is even out here.”

A white pergola stands before a glistening manmade lake landscaped with towering palm trees, vibrant birds of paradise and gravel that not only resembles sandy beaches but resists sharp heels so women won’t sink into it. Blooming white rose bushes line the walkways that intersect at a stone fountain. A 4,000-square-foot tented pavilion houses the reception area; its sides can be left open or enclosed to shield guests from the elements.

A game room/man cave decorated with Jeremy’s sports memorabilia and filled with arcades, shuffleboard and a pool table also includes a full bar to keep the boys busy on wedding day. A private, mirrored suite for the bride and her entourage overlooks the lake. The grounds can accommodate up to 400 guests, and parking is abundant.

The Mourvedre grape vines, which greet guests at the entrance to the Newberry estate, were recently planted and will continue to be tended by local vintner Alan Lucchesi. A limited harvest is expected this October.

Born and raised in Antioch, the affable, low-key Newberrys have lived in their sprawling house on Sunset Road for nearly five years. In 2008, they founded All-Pro Limousine, and in 2009, Jeremy, who played professional football for the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders and the San Diego Chargers, retired after 11 seasons. Today, he works with Octagon, the agency who represented him throughout his athletic career, and assists them in recruiting and training promising young football players.

An ambitious young duo and parents of four children, it’s obvious Jeremy and Sabrina adore one another, and they’re dynamite behind the scenes as they cater to their clients’ needs and manage the demands of their two home-based businesses.

According to Sabrina, hosting weddings appealed to them because “it’s exciting and fun, and if people are looking for a wedding venue, then they’re in a good place in their lives. Those are the kind of people we want to hang out with,” she said. “Plus, once we decided to get married, we figured, well, what better place to hold our wedding and grand opening. It just fell into place, like it was meant to be.”

Handpicked for the Newberry nuptials, local vendors including Lumpy’s Diner, Exclusively Yours, TLCakes, Wild Orchids Salon, Discover Bay Studios, DJ Kevin Sequeira and Exquisite Events joined forces to craft a day to remember.

“Sabrina and Jeremy are focused, but also so easy to work with,” said Sequeira. “I have no doubt they’re going to take this to another level.”

The overall presentation showcased a California-casual ambiance that didn’t diminish the precise elegance of the décor, which included a chandelier hung from the pergola, floating candles in water and tightly bound bouquets of white roses lining the grassy area where guests were seated. Beneath the covered reception area, bold lavender, magenta, yellow and orange floral arrangements and dinnerware provided a playful, summery vibe that complemented the gauzy white drapery wrapped around chairs and tables, delicately wafting in the wind outside.

“We think we’ve created a good team,” Sabrina said. “We all just came together and collaborated on different ideas. We had to go all the way, cut no corners, and it turned out better than I imagined.”

For more information about Newberry Estate Vineyards, call 925-516-3300 or visit www.newberryestatevineyards.com.