Explore Art, Architecture, and Exceptional Wine at These Napa Valley Destinations

The connection between wine and art spans centuries. Ancient Egyptian tombs featured drawings of vines and harvests, while the Renaissance introduced masterpieces like Caravaggio’s Bacchus. Today, wine continues to inspire artists, intertwining creativity, culture, and pleasure, ultimately crafting a richer sensory experience.

This synergy is particularly evident in Napa Valley, where wine enthusiasts and art connoisseurs create perfect combinations. Here are five venues to enjoy them in harmony.

The Hess Art Collection at Hess Collection Winery

What to Expect: artwork from one of the world’s premier collectors

Donald Hess, the founder of the Hess Collection Winery, was recognized as one of the top 200 art collectors globally by ARTNews in 2013. Located on Mount Veeder, the Hess Collection Winery allows tasting room guests to explore his vast permanent collection within the Hess Collection Museum of Contemporary Art. Hess's journey into art collecting began as a hobby, and as his prestigious wines gained acclaim, he showcased his collection throughout the estate, ultimately dedicating three floors to his art.

A striking piece in the collection is Homage, featuring a flaming Underwood typewriter. Created in 1974 by Argentinian sculptor Leopoldo Maler, it honors his uncle, David Kraiselburd, who was murdered for his political writings that same year.

To celebrate the intersection of art and wine, the Hess Collection offers a range of wine and art tours, including “Tour of the Palate” and “Elevated Tasting and Tour.” Alternatively, you can join a tour led by Robert Ceballos, the winery’s art director, who will personally walk you through the collection. Each tour features a seated wine tasting, and all visits must be booked in advance. Tastings start at $85 per person.

Jessup Cellars

What to Enjoy: a diverse array of art available for purchase in the Yountville Tasting Room

The Jessup Cellars Tasting Gallery immerses guests in a unique fusion of art and wine. The walls of the tasting and adjoining rooms are adorned with contemporary abstract, figurative, and landscape artworks by both local and international talents, such as Jylian Gustlin and Yaz Krehbiel. Guests are encouraged to explore this vibrant collection while enjoying a glass of wine; winemaker Rob Lloyd creates chardonnay, merlot, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, and more sourced from Northern California vineyards.

Cynthia Carey, the resident artist and gallery curator, handpicks the artists and artworks featured in the gallery. She also offers art advisory services, assisting collectors in choosing pieces from the Jessup Gallery to enhance their collections.

“The gallery enriches the wine tasting experience and gives the tasting room a welcoming ambiance—art has that effect,” says Carey. Tastings of Jessup Cellars’ extensive varietals begin at $60 per person, with the gallery stroll included. All displayed artworks are available for purchase.

Artesa Vineyards and Winery

What to Experience: a winery that is itself a masterpiece

Nestled in Los Carneros and owned by Spain’s oldest winemaking family, Raventós Codorníu, the Artesa Winery stands as a work of art. Designed by renowned Barcelona architect Domingo Triay, this avant-garde winery harmonizes with the surrounding landscape. The upper level boasts breathtaking views through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. The entryway features tranquil pools, fountains, and abstract sculptures that contrast beautifully with the natural environment while seamlessly integrating into the vast scenery.

The Tasting Salon, designed by Signum Architecture, received the 2018 Design Award from the American Institute of Architects. Napa artist Gordon Huether, a former artist-in-residence, created the sculptures for the fountain at the vineyard’s entrance, along with several other installations on the grounds.

However, the true highlight is the wine, crafted by acclaimed winemaker Ana Diogo-Draper, known for her artisanal, estate-grown, small-lot chardonnay, pinot noir, and cabernet sauvignon. Even the bottles feature artistic designs that reflect each wine's unique character and narrative, with large label replicas displayed at the Salon entrance. Reservations for tastings are highly recommended, starting at $45 per person.

Di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art

What to Enjoy: indoor and outdoor art where you can enjoy your own picnic

For those looking to explore a vast array of art in a single location, the Di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art is ideal, featuring over 2,000 contemporary artworks across various galleries and a 217-acre outdoor arts preserve. The striking 30-foot sculpture on the hillside—For Veronica by Mark di Suvero—captures the gallery’s modern and abstract essence.

Di Rosa boasts a permanent collection of significant works by artists based in or associated with the Bay Area, showcasing a diverse range of styles, media, and themes. The indoor exhibition space spans nearly 15,000 square feet and includes both visiting exhibits and a permanent collection highlighting Northern California artists.

Beyond the galleries, the expansive Di Rosa Arts Preserve serves as a haven for art and nature enthusiasts. With sculptures placed throughout the Sculpture Meadow and a picturesque Winery Lake, the Preserve offers a perfect backdrop for a leisurely picnic amidst olive groves (visitors are welcome to bring their own food and drinks).

Nestled in the Carneros region that spans Napa and Sonoma counties, Di Rosa serves as a vast playground. Organized bird walks and art and nature hikes take advantage of the two-mile outdoor loop. Beyond its artistic and picnic offerings, Di Rosa provides a refreshing escape between winery visits. An admission fee of $20 grants self-guided access to the galleries and Sculpture Meadow.

RH Yountville

What to Experience: a harmonious blend of art, design, food, and wine

RH Yountville, a project by Restoration Hardware, was envisioned by award-winning architect James Gillam from Backen & Gillam, recognized among Architectural Digest’s Top 100 architecture and design firms globally. The complex features courtyards with outdoor living areas that connect to an indoor-outdoor restaurant, the historic Ma(i)sonry building, and two boutique design galleries showcasing globally sourced artifacts, furnishings, textiles, and antiques.

The Ma(i)sonry building, listed in the National Registry of Historic Places, was once home to one of Napa’s earliest vintners in the early 20th century. It has been beautifully transformed into a two-story wine vault that offers rare, limited-production wines from 18 Napa Valley vintners. Both tasting reservations and gallery admission are complimentary, with Wine Vault Club memberships ranging from $250 to $1,000 per quarter.

Bonus: Napa Valley Museum

If you're seeking more art in Napa Valley amidst the wineries, be sure to visit the Napa Valley Museum in Yountville. Currently on display is an exciting treat for film and photography enthusiasts: the first collaborative exhibition of photographs by Jeff Bridges and Susan Bridges. Pictures features Jeff Bridges's extensive collection of candid shots taken on various movie sets with the unique Widelux camera, while Inside Heaven’s Gate presents Susan Bridges’s behind-the-scenes documentation of the making of the iconic 1980 western, Heaven’s Gate, filmed in Montana.

Both exhibitions will run through April 30, 2023. Admission is $15, and the museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday to Sunday.

Reporting by Pat Tompkins.