Ralph & Lahni de Amicis, Napa, Sonoma, San Francisco
The Winery Art Tour By Ralph DeAmicis There’s no denying that great wine goes well with great food, but it also goes with great art and many wineries treat us to enviable art collections. As much as we go to wineries to taste the wine, there’s a lot to be said for visiting properties that give us a chance to walk off some of that alcohol. For the art lover, here is a medium length, mid-Napa Valley tour that will please the eye, the soul and the palette. We’ll start off at Peju Province Winery, (a mile north of the Oakville Market on the right hand side) a favorite among visitors for the great staff, their beautiful gardens and their diverse, tremendously appealing wines. One of Napa’s many family owned wineries, Tony and Herta Peju have created a jewel of a setting for the collection of sculptures they have accumulated over the years. In metal, marble and glass, many pieces were made by artists who are personal friends. The pieces range from their marble ‘Harvest Dance’, commissioned in honor of an especially good harvest, to their steel and glass gate ‘Balance Movement’, whose geometric design acts as a structured balance to their numerous figurative sculptures. While a stroll around the grounds is an enriching experience, with its mixture of style and whimsy, not to be missed is their second floor gallery featuring the marble sculptures by Philip Dizick. While all of the Peju wines are well made, including their ever popular light bodied red, Provence, my favorite is their 03’ Merlot; rounded, warm fruit with just the right amount of acidity to add sparkle to a meal. From PejuProvince we’re heading north 4.6 miles to just shy of St. Helena and the Hall Winery, on the left-hand side of the road just past Dean and DeLuca. Kathryn and Craig Hall are another couple who have indulged their love of sculpture to the benefit of their guests and their sense of humor and whimsy is evident in their collection of metal and glass pieces, many commissioned for the winery. From the striking red abstract that greets you, setting the red theme that is carried on throughout the tasting room, to the suspended dark rose colored glass tear drops that hang over the guests' heads as they stand at the tasting bar. Out on the patio, a kinetic, wind driven metronome dances in the breeze amid the lavender bushes and monumental pieces wind their way around the corner of the building. As charming as the site is now and ideal as a sculpture garden, it will be interesting to see how they integrate their collection into their property as it goes through its extensive transformation under the direction of the world-renowned architect Frank Gehry. One of the wonderful things about the Hall wines is that they’re thoroughly authentic. Being blessed with tremendous estate vineyards in prime locations, they are true expressions of their sense of place, something that seems perfectly appropriate to a winery that places sculptures around its grounds like jewels in a crown. Even though their Rutherford reds can stand up to the best of them, I have to admit to a weakness for their Sauvignon Blanc, one from Rutherford and the other from Northern Sonoma. They both express a delicacy and sophistication that is tremendously satisfying. Enjoyed while standing up they stimulate the tongue for great conversation and, sitting down, they complement the food with a confident balance of acidity and flavor. Now based on our rule of never going to more than two tastings without eating, you might want to take advantage of Hall’s mulberry shaded side patio for a picnic. If you didn’t pack supplies, Dean and DeLuca is just a short walk across the parking lot. To reach our next destination we take a right hand turn out of the Hall winery parking lot and head south. On a busy day in wine country, a right-hand turn is always the safer way to go. In about half a mile we’ll make a left hand turn onto Zinfandel Lane. Don’t worry, the left hand turn lane makes it easy and safe. Follow that to the end and turn right onto the Silverado Trail. In about two miles we’ll turn right into the Mumm Napa winery. Known for its tremendously playful sparkling wines and it’s gracious, sit down tasting room and patio, Mumm’s is also home to one of Napa’s best photography galleries. Between its rotating exhibits and permanent collection of the works of Ansel Adams, it is a remarkably civilized way to wrap up a daytrip, strolling among these stunning photographs, a glass of sparking wine in hand, and when you run out of gallery, well, their gift shop has to rate among the valley’s best. More than any other sparking winemaker in the valley, Mumm’s has most embraced their Californian roots and their numerous flights of three nicely sized flutes offer a variety of taste experiences that will make people regard sparking wines in a very different light. I think that my favorite is their WineryLake, selected from the vineyards surrounding the lake adjacent to the DeRosa preserve in Carneros. Its combination of body, crisp dryness and toasty warmth is very seductive. This is truly a romantic, sexy wine and that’s what Napa is really all about. Copyright 2009 Ralph & Lahni de Amicis
To book a tour or ask questions CallLahni @ 707-235-2648 or use this form. We respond quickly. Rates: $65 to $75 per hour for car & driver + fuel charge, depending on starting point and number of days. No hidden fees.
Note: Most companies quote a base rate and then add hidden fees after you've been drinking all day. Good for billing, not for you. Our prices are up front and honest. Licensed by the California PUC TCP 23123, Commercially Insured.
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For convention & conference meeting planners we provide Top Achiever Award Trips, plus Speakers, Seminars and Team Building Programs. For more information designed for the busy meeting planner visit www.AmicisSeminars.com .
Call 707-235-2648 for Tours, Books & Seminars Copyright Ralph & Lahni de Amicis 2011 All tasting fees, hours, wine lists, etc are subject to change.
