Who could guess that a winery in the heart of Napa Valley would display a variety of sculpture ranging almost 400 years? I had heard about the Clos Pegase winery many times, mostly because of its art collection, but did not expect to find art so completely at the center of the winery’s existence. I was pleasantly surprised when I came upon this array of sculpture at the winery’s entrance. The playful mix of shapes and colors on the grass reminded me of the power of sculpture–its ability to change a mood and transform a space.
Geometric shapes by Robert Morris at play on the grass
The vision of Jan Shrem, the owner of Clos Pegase, seems bold, and I love it. Placing valuable modern art like this all over the winery’s grounds seems to reflect a true love of art and belief that it should be shared with the public. In fact, he recently made a $10 million donation to the nearby University of California at Davis for its new art museum (wow!).
Jean Dubuffet's Faribolous at the entrance to Clos Pegase
To me the highlight of the winery’s entrance was the colorful Jean Dubuffet sculpture above. However, the simple silver lines of this kinetic sculpture below provided an interesting addition to the organic quality of the olive tree and grape vines.
Two Lines Up Oblique, 1977, George Rickey
The winery itself makes a statement–its design is by Michael Graves, the winner of a competition instigated by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Its bright colors and strong use of line are unique among the nearby wineries which often evoke Tuscan villas and European castles.
In the courtyard just past the entrance sits a beautiful work by one of modern art’s best known artists, Henry Moore.
Henry Moore's Mother Earth, 1957-58
Sculpture is fun. It interacts with you, playing off its environment and demanding that you walk around it and take it all in. This thumb is a wonderful example of how sculpture can change the dynamic of its surroundings.
Cesar Baldachini's Pouce, 1963
Clos Pegase shows its appreciation for modern art most vividly, but there are a few older pieces as well, including these two Italian fountains.
Torino Royal Bacchus Fountain, 19th century Italian
17th century Italian fountain
Near the entrance to the tasting room stands this unusual piece whose shape perfectly complements the lines of the building.
Untitled by Mimmo Paladino, 1990
Art is just about in every corner of Clos Pegase. This room of impressive wine barrels even includes some unexpected pieces.
I love old stuff! Ancient pieces from the Roman Empire and beyond.
Besides sculpture, the winery displays many paintings in its tasting room, adjacent gallery, and offices.
I didn’t mind tasting wine with a Francis Bacon painting behind me and a Odilon Redon work in front of me. Amazing!
Art is everywhere inside the Clos Pegase tasting room
Art is the centerpiece of this unique winery. The wines are great, too, and the staff are friendly. I plan to bring my children back here again and again to experience art displayed in the beautiful surroundings of colorful architecture, vineyards, and Calistoga’s hills.
Where have you found art in unexpected places? Why do you love sculpture?
For more ArtSmart greatness, check out this month’s other posts on sculpture:
Rodin in San Francisco from No Onions Extra Pickles
Roy Lichtenstein’s Sculptures from A Sense of Place
A Study of the Apollo Belvedere at the Vatican Museum in Rome from Eurotravelogue
Forgetting the Sculpture of Patrick Dougherty from Travellious
Fascinating…who would have thought in the middle of a winery. And I am a big fan of Michael Graves as well…he completed a number of projects for Disney and his signature is all over the winery building. Great post my friend!
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Hmm, I didn’t know about Michael Graves, though I had heard of him, before this and will have to check out the Disney projects you referred to.
A wonderful post Jenna. Mr. Shrem should read this and show his appreciation with a couple bottles of his best wine.
How did I not know about this place??? I’ll have to go back to Napa ASAP. Love the sculpture choices, especially the Morris at the beginning of the post.
Michael Graves designed the art museum (Michael C. Carlos Museum) on Emory’s campus which is right next to where the art history building is, and it’s where we had our wedding reception. I like his lines and shapes, but the color choices are not my cup of tea. The chief curator had the galleries at the Carlos repainted while I was still in school to be more subtle and enhance the art on display. I prefer the new paint to the older choices.
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Well, when you come back, let’s meet there!
And go to the other wineries that show their art collections (I can think of 2 others, but I’m sure there are more).
I need to learn more about Michael Graves. Honestly the colors were not my cup of tea either, but I do think it’s refreshing to see bright colors used instead of the same ones over and over…and these colors work pretty well against the hills behind the winery.
I definitely wouldn’t have thought of Napa as a great place to see art. However, there are definitely some interesting sculptures and pieces of art there. I bet they look that much more intriguing after a few glasses of wine!
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And when I go there in mid-May, I will be doing a Napa Art Walk… and I know that there are some other wineries that show their art collections. Always more to explore…
Those are really nice sculptures and I guess I should check them out when visiting that place.. I want to see them in person..
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great post and photos! It makes me want to visit soon. I do love sculpture. In this post, the mother earth sculpture is one of my favorite. There is an exhibit this month at our little local Pence Gallery called “focus on the figure” I’m wanting to check out. And one of my favorite museums is the Rodin in Paris – as well as the bottom floor at the Louvre. my father in law is a sculptor (not his day job) – but his pieces appear in various art shows in the east bay and marin – so Im learning to appreciate it more and more…
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I would love to visit the Rodin museum in Paris! Have you visited the Rodins at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco (link to post by Ashley at the bottom of this post).
yes I have – and I enjoyed the post!
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I have never heard of this place before but I love it, I have to figure out where Napa Valley is to see if I can visit it this summer.
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Ayngelina,
The whole Napa area, including neighboring Sonoma and Mendocino counties, are gorgeous and so worth a visit!! I wish I were going to be here to meet up with you there.
I wouldn’t have have expected art in a winery; what a wonderful bpnus.
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That thumb is my favorite – AMAZING. Sometimes I really don’t get modern art, and other times I love it.
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I feel that way too sometimes. Some modern or contemporary art is just fantastic, and other pieces leave me feeling a bit confused, but in general I love it.
Wow, what a classy winery, very beautiful pieces of art.
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