Wineries lure visitors in many ways. Some come for the scenery, others for the food and ambiance and others for the wine, natch. But a number of wineries also lure serious art lovers and collectors. The Manual narrowed down our favorite wineries with art galleries.
No talk of wine and art would be complete without mention of The Hess Collection. Built in 1903, the stone winery, known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris and Sirah, displays quite a few modern art pieces. Take an iPod tour of abstract expressionist Robert Motherwell and linger for German sculptor Anselm Kiefer. Since 1966, owner Donald Hess has amassed a large collection of art, much of which is often loaned to major museums worldwide. Free admission.
Oregon Pinot Noir has lately become all the rage but locals in the know have been visiting Trisaeteum since 2003. The Willamette Valley winery releases 10 Pinot Noirs and 6 Rieslings every vintage. Fans of the wine also stay for owner James Frey’s art. Trisaetum has a 1,500-square-foot gallery that displays Frey’s paintings and photographs, much of which has a wine theme. Free Admission.
Provence is known for its stunning scenery. But nothing could prepare you for the masterpieces at Chateau La Coste in Le Puy-Sainte Réparade, France. Irish owner Paddy McKillen showcases more than 20 pieces of art by the likes of Ai Weiwei and Alexander Calder in an outdoor sculpture garden. Sean Scully’s imposing, rectangular “Wall of Light Cubed” stares down from the entrance. Liam Gillick’s “Multiplied Resistance Screened” is a playful ode to childhood. One could spend hours just gazing on the massive installations. Oh yeah, don’t forget to check out the fruit-forward rosés as well. Free Admission.
Brick Bay takes art as seriously as it does wine. It’s even in the official motto. It took the owners almost 10 years to plant their first grapes (1995) and the first vintage of Pinot Gris was produced on the 10-acre site north of Auckland in 1998. Since 2007, Brick Bay has featured 45 pieces of New Zealand art and sculpture on a picturesque trail next to the vineyard. There’s Robert Jahnke’s “Rauwai” seemingly rising from the water, and Gregor Kregar’s “Brick Bay Polyhedron” evokes geometry-test nightmares. Admission, $12.
