Art and Wine go hand-in-hand in this culture-focused guide.
The second installation of our "48 Hours" series focuses on Napa Vellys' storied relationship between wine and art. Beyond the well-trodden paths of California's premier wine region lies a sophisticated marriage of viticulture and visual arts. While Napa Valley's reputation rests firmly on its exceptional wines, a deeper current of artistic expression flows through landscapes, one that has sidelined the main act of wine for many decades. Artists such as Gordon Huether, whose site-specific installations grace many public institutions across the country, are part of the creative legacy of Napa and remain influenced by its bountiful Winelands and timeless appeal.
Day 1: The Convergence of Wine and Art
Begin your journey of exploration at the Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley, where this internationally acclaimed luxury brand effortlessly blends contemporary design and wine-country soul. Nestled in Calistoga, this relatively new addition to Napa's luxury landscape offers an integrated experience of the region's essence, with its own Elusa Winery and vineyard steps from your room. The latter of the two provides a variety of activities and programs that allow you to experience the wine-making process in its entirety, led by winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown.
In true Conte style, the morning should always unfold with a delightful breakfast and there is no better place than TRUSS Restaurant, where Chef Rogelio Garcia's culinary artistry is complemented by sweeping valley views and a carefully curated collection of contemporary California artists adorning the walls. Garcia, born in Mexico but raised in Los Angeles and Napa, has two Michelin stars under his name from his restaurant Spruce in San Francisco. Whether preparing for a day of wine-tasting or a stroll through the art galleries of the local downtown, enjoy the restaurant's wine-by-the-glass program, which features small-production local wines by a variety of vineyards and makers.
Via private transfer, make your way to the first stop of the day - the Hess Collection Winery. Here, Donald Hess's passion for both wine and contemporary art manifests in one of Napa's most compelling destinations that has been a prominent force on Mount Veedeer since 1978. The three-story museum space houses works by Andy Goldsworthy, Frank Stella and Francis Bacon among others, while the winery produces wine of an exceptional calibre. Start with a private tour of the art collection, followed by the "Wine & Art Experience" - a seated tasting of limited-production wines paired with an intimate discussion of the collection's highlights. For the modern collector, art enthusiast or purveyor of fine things, the Hess Collection is the place to be.
After lunch at Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bistro (a necessary addition to any North American Food Journey), transition to Artesa Vineyards & Winery, where architecture, art, and wine are highlighted in tandem. Barcelona-born artist-architect Domingo Triay designed this stunning property to ground one of the oldest Spanish winemaking families, Raventós Codorníu, long-lasting ideas: a property in Napa Valley. The estate specializes in limited-production Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines, best experienced through their "Legacy Tasting" in the salon privé. Here, floor-to-ceiling windows frame sculptures scattered across the estate's rolling hills, creating a living gallery effect, and it becomes vastly apparent that the wineries of Napa Valley are as different to each other as they are similar.
Return to the Four Seasons for a moment of repose at Spa Talisa, where treatments incorporate grape-seed-based products from the estate vineyard, and tranquillity is the word on everyone's minds. As evening approaches, dine at TRUSS's Chef's Counter, where the day's artistic theme continues through impeccably plated courses paired with rare local vintages.
Day 2: Gallery Hopping & The Finest of Napa Valley Wines
Begin your second day with sunrise yoga in the vineyard, followed by breakfast in your room - perhaps on your private terrace overlooking the Palisades Mountains. The morning is dedicated to Napa's evolving art scene, starting with the Rail Arts District (RAD Napa). This open-air gallery features large-scale murals and installations that tell the valley's stories through contemporary eyes. Then, onto the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, a 217-acre property showcasing Northern California artists in a stunning natural setting. The collection spans multiple galleries and outdoor sculpture gardens, creating a dialogue between art and landscape that epitomizes Napa's dual nature.
Following this, you'll head to your final wine experience at the Wheeler Farms, one of Napa's most exclusive boutique wineries. This historic property, revitalized by the Araujo family, offers an intimate "Wine & Gardens" experience that connects terroir to taste. Their small-production, single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon wines are served alongside produce from the estate's culinary gardens, creating a sensory bridge between wine and its origins.
After returning to your hotel for some well-needed relaxation, you'll be privately transferred to your dinner reservation at La Toque, the Michelin-starred restaurant where Chef Ken Frank's cuisine provides a fitting finale. The restaurant's wine cellar, housing over 2,000 selections, offers an opportunity to reflect on Napa's profound connection to both artistic and vinicultural excellence and will put your oenological learnings over the past few days to the test. Return to the Four Seasons for a majestic final night's sleep before your departure the following morning.
Before departure, consider a morning visit to the hotel's Elusa Winery for a final tasting, perhaps selecting a few bottles to ship home - tangible memories of a weekend where wine and art flowed seamlessly together in California's most storied valley.
The Conte Trademark: Flexibility
Of course, no trip travelling with Conte is without an element of flexibility. From organising private viewings at smaller galleries to engaging with local chefs, ingredients and techniques in a privatised cooking class, we are happy to oblige. Whether you're travelling with your partner, family, stakeholders or executive suite, Our travel design team and concierge service are always delighted to personalise your trip as much, or as little, as you like - as is the nature of a Conte itinerary.