The love of great art and great wine has come together, creating a first-class destination winery in the northern Napa Valley. Estate-grown Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon dominate the wine list at this unique “temple of fine arts and fine wine.”

Your greeter at Clos Pegase is not Pegasus, the winged horse of ancient myth that adorns their labels, but a brightly colored sculpture that is adjacent to the parking lot and can’t be missed. The grounds at the winery include20,000 square feet of wine caves, vineyards, art and sculpture galleries, patios, gardens, picnic areas, a gift shop and a tasting room.

Once you negotiate the warren of buildings and gardens, you arrive at the tasting room. It is a large long hall with murals, sculptures and unique gift items. Two tasting flights are available. The winery is kid-friendly, bike-friendly and
dog-friendly. Box lunches can be provided with advance notice, allowing visitors the opportunity to explore the vast and interesting grounds.

The estate vineyard comprises 455 acres, of which 90 are in the Calistoga area, with the balance in the cool Carneros region to the south. The wines exhibit true varietal intensity, with balanced tannins and acids, and are very food-friendly.