Napa/Sonoma Gardens

My wife and I are planning a Napa/Sonoma trip for her Garden Club. We know about the gardens at places like Newton, Frogs Leap, and Chappellet. Since no one person is as smart as a group, we'd appreciate some additional suggestions for properties with gardens that are noteworthy, whether for their opulence, beauty, uniqueness, ecological statement, etc.

One of the most famous winery gardens is at Korbel. It's one of the top horticultural stops in the state. Tons and tons of antique rose varieties,

Others in the Russian River Valley and Dry Creek are Kendall-Jackson and Ferrari-Carano. You might also drive down Slusser Road (off River Road). While not technically a garden, the lovely landscaping along SaraLee's Vineyard is a sight to behold. And right now it is in all its glory.

Ditto on Ferrari-Carano.

Domaine Chandon has a sculpture garden, if memory serves. Their grounds are very pretty.

Korbel is down the road from the Armstrong Woods State Preserve. In my opinion, a stroll through the redwoods here beats any of the human planted gardens at the wineries. You can do as we did, and spend the morning there before going to nearby wineries after lunch.

If you like formal gardens, the ones at Ferrari-Carano in the Dry Creek area of Sonoma County are very nice. However, my wife and I did not enjoy the winery itself as much when we visited on a week day in June 2007. The main lobby was jammed full of people, so we went downstairs to the estate tasting room. It too became crowded when a tour group of young people walked in. That said, we do like their Reserve Chardonnay very much.

Arista, near the Russian River, has a pretty little garden with beautiful views across Sonoma County.

Clos Pegase, in northern Napa Valley, has an interesting sculpture garden outside with modern art sculptures standing near the vines.

Well, if you include sculpture gardens, the absolute, hands down, single best attraction in all of Sonoma---hell, in all of wine country----is the Sculpture Garden at Paradise Ridge Winery.

Paradise Ridge is situated just off Hwy 101 on the north end of Santa Rosa (last exit before River Road).

Take the Mendo exit off 101N, loop around and take an immediate left at the first light (past the Fountaingrove Inn. Go up the hill until you see a discreet little blue and white sign saying "winery". Follow the road through a McMansion housing area until you see the entry on your left to Paradise Ridge, then follow that winding roadway til you get to the winery/sculpture garden.

It is an amazing place. SImply amazing. The garden is set among the scrub oaks of the hilltop in a rugged, rustic, 'plein air' arrangement, and what is in the garden varies roughly every six months or so, so you often don't know what you'll see. But with each show, something remains, so over the years there is an increasing amount of 'fixed' residual artwork. I won't attempt to describe the shows much, except to say they are usually particularly fitting for outside exhibitions. The permanent pieces are good enough that you get a different impression on each every time you go back.

For instance, there are these acoustic metal sculptures that are designed to react to the wind, with motion and sound. Then there are the pieces that are deftly created so as to blend the artwork with its natural surroundings. There's this one cunningly done piece where a low lying fence begins with stones, then morphs into wood without your realization. It catches me every time, and I'm constantly dragging new visitors over to watch their moment of realization when they 'get it'.

Then there's the monumental/fantasy works, where ancient demigods from classical literature and mythology seem to emerge from and back into the ground in a seamless, mysterious way.

Plus...it's totally free. And it's entirely separate from the winery (and about a half mile away from the actual tasting room) so there's no feeling of obligation to sample and purchase anything (although I have had good PN from there).

Best deal in wine country...and not all that well know, so it's not over run with tourists, and can be done without interruption or chaos. Never seen a bus pull up there once.

Thanks for the info on Paradise Ridge Winery, Hoke. We'll have to check it out on our next trip to Sonoma County. It sounds like the garden would be a great morning excursion before spending an afternoon wine tasting in the area.

Thanks for the info on Paradise Ridge Winery, Hoke. We'll have to check it out on our next trip to Sonoma County. It sounds like the garden would be a great morning excursion before spending an afternoon wine tasting in the area.

Steve, if you go, please do report back and let me know your impressions of the place. HH

Plus...it's totally free. And it's entirely separate from the winery (and about a half mile away from the actual tasting room) so there's no feeling of obligation to sample and purchase anything (although I have had good PN from there).

Best deal in wine country...and not all that well know, so it's not over run with tourists, and can be done without interruption or chaos. Never seen a bus pull up there once.

Sounds great, Hoke. And I really like their entire range of wines, which seem relatively balanced and even elegant! (tasted them at their tiny new tasting room in Kenwood on Saturday)