North Bay Wine Country
If you thought Wine Country was just about wine, think again—the arts scene here is as rich and complex as a Napa cabernet. And in Sonoma and Napa, art isn’t just something to admire from a distance—it’s something to experience up close.
But where do you start? If you like your art with a side of rebellion, head to the Sonoma County Museum’s current exhibit, “Unruly,” a retrospective of the legendary (and now defunct) San Francisco Art Institute. It’s a crash course in the wild, untamed spirit of West Coast art. Feeling more like an adventure? The di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art in Napa is part museum, part surreal dreamscape, packed with playful, provocative work by regional artists. Pro tip: Plan your visit between tastings, because nothing pairs with art like a little pre-tour chardonnay.
The next morning, when your wine-fueled inspiration has you convinced you’re the next Picasso, hit up Color Theory Canvas & Paint or RileyStreet Art Supply. Whether you need the perfect shade of cerulean or just an excuse to buy more fancy pens and Moleskine notebooks, they’ve got you covered. More into words than watercolors? Napa Bookmine and Copperfield’s Books will send you home with something that makes you look smart at brunch.
And when the sun sets, the stages light up. Barrel Proof Lounge in Santa Rosa delivers comedy strong enough to rival your last pour, while Blue Note Napa serves up live jazz that may or may not make you cry into your pinot.
From Bottlerock’s beats to True West’s indie films, there’s an art to celebrating life in Wine Country—and this scene has truly mastered it.
