Art Lovers' Winery Tour

If you love art, any kind of art, you must see the Di Rosa (Arts) Preserve, a totally unique gallery in a former winery, and its extensive grounds. To the DiRosa Arts Preserve, our tour adds visits to two wineries known for the excellence of their wines and their incomparable art collections. Why devote 1- 2+ hours of your California wine country tour to the Di Rosa Preserve's art collections? Because it's like few exhibit spaces on the planet! The 2000 or so eclectic art works were produced by lesser-known (but clearly not less-talented) artists who indulge their sometimes whimsical, often profound imaginations. You're encouraged to appreciate the art, the resident peacocks, the lake and vistas at your own pace.The setting is 200 acres in the beautiful Carneros region, which bridges the Sonoma and Napa Valleys for a tour blending art appreciation with wine tasting!

        A FREQUENT ITINERARY
We begin by visiting the unique Di Rosa Arts Preserve*. Options for lunch are many in both Sonoma's historic plaza and a dynamic downtown Napa. Time permitting, we can: visit Cornerstone Gardens, an extensive series of very avant-garde gardens created by notable landscape designers; stop in at Artesa, an ultramodern winery with its own former 'artist in residence' (Gordon Huether)--you'll enjoy the panoramic view, their Spanish-style wines, and Huether's many sui generis creations. Then it's wine and giant sculptures at Donum...check out the slideshow on their website! ...or a ride through the redwoods up Mt. Veeder to the Hess Collection, a fine winery with a gallery of works by major contemporary artists.You may choose instead to visit the exhibits at St. Supery, or Ansel Adams photographs at Mumm, or the galleries on main street in St. Helena and Yountville, and,or any other notable collection you may know. There's also the Napa Valley Museum, which often has interesting exhibits. If there's adequate time, we may arrange to visit Clos Pegase, a literal temple to wine and art, or to see ceramicist Carlos Marchiori's remarkable palace--both in Calistoga…eventually returning to the City via the Silverado Trail and Bay Bridge.

* Tours available Tues thru Sun, by Appointment Only. Entrance Fee is $15-$18 per person.