The Arts

Wine Country celebrates culture and rewards the effort of artisans’ hands in its many forms. Almost any weekend you can find an event tailored to your artistic interests. There are frequent theatrical and musical performances and gallery open houses, as well as the ever-popular open studio art trails (usually held two or three times a year). In December, there are walking tours of historic houses, with period ornamentation and Christmas tree decorating contests. At other times of the year don’t overlook chances to become acquainted with ceramicists, woodworkers, and even artistic gate makers.

>>2007 Winners in the Arts Category

Best Art Gallery

Art galleries are like diamonds, they sparkle with many different facets. Wander into one, and you may find yourself enjoying a painting – as well as musing about which wall you would put it on.

Whether you’re in the market to collect, or just browsing, the galleries of Napa and Sonoma are great places to stretch your cultural awareness and raise your art IQ. Some places take hours to explore, like the inimitable di Rosa Preserve, where guided tours are suggested to help you plan your visit. The 217-acre preserve contains one of the largest and most interesting collections of Northern California artists in existence.

Commercial galleries feature frequently changing shows focused on the work of a single artist. Step off the main street of St. Helena and into a world where color, texture, and form rule at the I. Wolk Gallery, known for representing talented artists with an array of paintings and sculpture. If you need a moment’s respite or a spot of color on a dreary day, this local favorite is a great place to pick up your spirits and soothe your soul.

Do you prefer your art green and growing? The nine-acre Cornerstone Festival of Gardens is a gallery-style garden. The landscape architects and designers who put together the ever-changing gardens envision Cornerstone as an inspiration and resource. Take a stroll here to see man and nature working in partnership.

Best Performing Arts

Music, comedy, theater, dance – all need a stage, and an audience. The fun loving locals of Napa and Sonoma appreciate art in all its forms. From juggling acts to symphony concerts, there is a venue for you.

Both the Napa Valley Opera House (Napa) and the Lincoln Theater (Yountville) offer performing arts series that rival those of much larger cities. Their offerings are eclectic: You can pick from nationally known stars, fun family presentations, jazz, blues, monologues, and comedy routines, all within a short drive, and without extreme parking hassles. Settings are intimate. Come early, dressed-to-the-nines, and linger on the arm of your date with a glass of interesting wine – or show up in your jeans, catch the show, and be home in time to kiss the kiddies as they drift off to sleep.

Many of the Valleys' wineries are also committed to the performing arts. Catch well-known performers at the Mondavi Summer Concert Series, and hear chamber music in places like Clos Pegase, or Carols in Caves during the holidays. A local's top pick for Sonoma concert fun is Gundlach Bundschu. They don't take themselves too seriously, but their art as well as their wine is top notch.