Best art collection in Wine Country

Detail of an outdoor exhibit at di Rosa's main gallery

Expect the unusual at di Rosa, a phenomenal collection of contemporary art spread over 200 acres on a hillside in the Carneros region southwest of Napa. The first gallery you encounter up the stairs from the parking lot, called the Gatehouse, is open to drop-in visitors and features rotating exhibits. The permanent collection –– the best part, in my opinion –– is accessible only on a guided tour reached by a tram that takes you deeper into the property.

The first sculpture you encounter off the tram

Splurge on the two-hour-plus "Discovery" tour on a Saturday, if you can spare the time. Even then, you must pace yourself so you won't miss it all. Don't dawdle too long at any one spot in the main gallery, because the tram will be back before you know it. The breadth of the collection is vast, and photos just don't do the place justice. You have to see it up close to appreciate it. Reservations are strongly suggested to avoid disappointment.

So what or who is di Rosa? Rene and Veronica di Rosa began their personal art collection many decades ago, focusing primarily on Bay Area- and northern California-based artists, sculptors, and even a few scalawags. The collection now numbers more than 2,000 pieces by 800-plus visionaries. The bulk of the collection is in the main gallery, and the personal residence is also fascinating: artwork in every nook and cranny (even on the ceiling and in the bathrooms), and a kitchen with a tower that houses a huge bell you can chime.

This is a first-class destination for visitors to Wine Country, and a bargain, too (10 to 15 bucks per person).