Napa Art and Wine
Napa Valley is a world-class food and wine destination with a vibrant modern art scene. With so much to see and do, it can be overwhelming. One way to navigate California Wine country is to do a modern art tour. Here are some of the top spots in Napa and Sonoma that combine two of my passions - art and wine!
Leopoldo Maler, Homage, 1974, Modified typewriter, Hess Collection
The Hess Collection Winery & Art Museum
Located in the heart of Napa Valley, the Hess Collection is one of my favorite winery and art museum combinations. Founded by Donald Hess, the museum boasts a collection of contemporary art from Francis Bacon, Robert Motherwell and Robert Rauschenberg. Visitors to the museum are greeted by this flaming typewriter by Argentinian artist Leopoldo Maler, which sets a playful and engaging tone to the collection.
Part of their new installation features work by Andy Goldsworthy - whose environmental work I love at Storm King Arts Center upstate NY. Famous for his large-scale earth projects, here Goldsworthy installs a ball of stick and a wall of intertwined twigs - both assembled without any fasteners, clips or glue. Only gravity holds these works together. These light and ephemeral objects are juxtaposed to the volcanic masses of dried earth along the floor, pooling in muddy blobs.
Another exciting installation is Anselm Kiefer’s Am Anfang (In the Beginning) which harkens back to his childhood in the ruins of post-WWII Germany by using lead, earth, straw and a broad array of found objects to recreate the environment of his youth. Cornelia was a very challenging work made with a barbed wire wedding dress inside a small room with peekaboo windows allowing only limited, partial views.
More large scale works in the Hess Collection….
Hall Wines
Hall Wines is renowned for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignons, but it also offers an unforgettable artistic experience. The Halls, Craig and Katheryn, have curated an extraordinary collection of contemporary art at their winery. With a very handy and informative app, you can download a guided tour of the collection at your own pace. Dotted around the grounds of the winery and within the stunning modern architecture of the winery, the collection ranges from the famous roadside artwork of the 35 foot tall stainless steel rabbit, Bunny Foo Foo by Lawrence Argent, to more intimate works.
Bunny Foo Foo
Lawrence Argent, 2014 polished stainless steel
Hall Winery’s self-guided tour is a great way to stroll the property and see some terrific art. Highlights of the collection for me are the John Baldessari, Camel Contemplating a Needle, reminiscent of the bible verse about the low chances of rich people entering the kingdom of Heaven, and the Nick Cave bejeweled wall hanging at the main entrance.
Here are some highlights of the self-guided tour - the app has high quality narration of the grounds, giving background and context to these artworks.
Donum Estate
The Donum Estate in Sonoma is a unique cultural destination that seamlessly merges nature's beauty with contemporary art's power. The estate spans over 200 acres of vineyards, gardens, and pristine landscapes. It's a place where vines and sculptures coexist harmoniously, making it a haven for art lovers and wine connoisseurs. A highlight of the collection is Ai Weiwei's "Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads," which consists of twelve bronze animal heads representing the Chinese zodiac. Placed near the estate's picturesque pond, these sculptures create a sense of wonder as they reflect in the water, providing a perfect backdrop for contemplation and photography.
From the first moment you drive into the Donum Estate, you are struck with the fact that art will be front and center at this winery. Dominated by the immense, 40’ head entitled “Sanna,” by Jaume Plensa, created by a 3-D laser that is able to stretch and elongate the face into a sublime and meditative sculpture.
Donum Estate is probably my top art & wine destination in all of Napa and Sonoma. You should definitely take the time to do the tour and tasting to maximize your experience. Here are some images to give you a sense of the wide range of art, artists and media. This is definitely a ‘must do’ destination for art (and wine) lovers.
Di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art
The Di Rosa Center is a 217-acre art institute with a collection of over 2,000 works of art, predominantly by Northern California artists. The heart of the collection is dedicated to contemporary art, including paintings, sculptures, and multimedia installations. The artworks are spread across multiple galleries, and I was instantly captivated by the diversity of styles and themes that the collection showcased. There is also a Sculpture Meadow, where art is integrated into the natural environment, and a Wildlife Preserve covering 35 acres of native flora, fauna and ponds.
Parting shot
Nature Remains, Ray Beldner
