Di Rosa Preserve

It took me a surprisingly long time after moving to the area to learn what di Rosa was, despite always noticing it along the highway, thanks to the cut-out sheep placed on the hill side. Once I had learned what it was, it took me even longer to finally make it there, due to the limited times it is open without a reservation. So when I finally saw at least part of what it has to offer, I was astonished! All this wonderful art, and the beautiful estate, and the peacocks wandering around! It was hard to fathom why busloads of tourists weren't continually unloading to visit the premiere destination in Northern California wine country. For my birthday later in the year we made reservations and took along a bunch of visiting friends from Sacramento. None had heard of di Rosa before, but all left impressed. Information about the place is surprisingly hard to come by--despite having checked information online, I didn't know on the first visit what the free portion consisted of, or what comprised the paid tour. And the limited hours mean that I haven't taken many visitors there that I think would really enjoy it. But it is an extraordinary resource for the area that I hope to make great use of over the coming years.

The diRosa is one of the most amazing places! It is both a real gem of a place and an fine organization in an area where there are lots of facinating places and many worthy causes. Set in the exquisite natural beauty of the foothills of the Napa and Sonoma valley's it offers a perfect backdrop to the amazing art collection that was the brain child and heart child of Rene diRosa. Now wonderfully this place is in the public trust. This extroordingary and eclectic art collection is now available for the public to experience. This place is a sleeper and I believe will come to be kown as the true gem that it is, showcasing and preserving this astonishing art collection in this astonishing setting for many others to share and experience. As the arts continue to move out of the schools the diRosa moves forward to expand programs expose children to art and allow them to continue to experience art in their lives.

I grew up in Napa, but hadn't realized until recently that we had such a large and fascinating art collection, right here in our own back yard. The collection is the largest regional collection of art in the whole country, and covers the 1950s through contemporary art. My sister is not a fan of modern art (which the collection focuses on), but even she enjoyed the museum when she visited. I think a lot of people are put off by modern art because they don't understand it, and the knowledgable guides really help people to appreciate the art. The nature of the tour (only 20 people allowed at a time) and the space that the collection is housed in offer visitors the chance to really spend some quality time with the art. Every on who works and volunteers here describe it as a magical place to be, and I whole heartedly agree!

Di Rosa - Art Alive:
This contemporary collection spans the work of artists from San Francisco to Davis California. The pieces are diverse, bold, entertaining and compelling. The collections includes world famous as well as unkown artists. One underlying theme can be felt whether viewing the sculpture garden, the chapel or the galleries - The passion of the collector, Rene di Rosa, a self described "artaholic."

As David Ross stated (former director of the Whitney Museum) "this is a great treasure for all of us who love and are concerned about the future of American art."

What a magical space to experience the most incredible collection of bay area art anywhere. Take a tour through 3 galleries of astounding art with friendly docents. Stroll the beautiful grounds complete with wild gardens, vineyards, peacocks and 150 pieces of outdoor sculpture. Bay are artists including Arneson, Wiley, Allen, deForest, Frey, Hudson, and hundreds more are represented here. Almost 2000 pieces of art by over 800 artists. diRosa is truly a treasure that you wont want to miss. It's the biggest surprise of the wine country. Daring, provocative, breathtaking.

Volunteers at diRosa are not treated like interchangeable parts. They are encouraged to use their personal strengths (within reason, of course) to present the fabulous art collection to the public in a way that is engaging, entertaining, and informative. Volunteers who work 'behind the scenes' are valued, as are those who are more front-and-center.
The training for volunteers is very good. The artist presentations and in-service training keep the volunteers fresh and 'on message'.The scheduling is very respectful of the volunteers' lives outside of diRosa. These are three ways the diRosa shines.

Beautiful setting in the northern California environment. The sculpture grounds and gallery spaces are an inspiration to visiting artists like myself. Educational for all ages. A wonderful asset to the art community and for visitors from around the world. Thank you di Rosa!

We love to support the eclectic collection of contemporary S.F. Bay Area art, framed in a modern barn-like gallery,the founder's home and in rolling hills surrounded by lakes and vineyards - right in our own back yard in the Napa Valley. How lucky are we?

The diRosa is a hidden gem! Right out there on Carneros Highway in Napa, with the cut-out sheep on the hill. So many wonder about it, and when they eventually get around to visiting, they are amazed. A collection of modern art placed in a natural setting amidst vineyards. Rene and Veronica diRosa created this non-profit foundation to share their art with the public. Whether you like modern art or not, this place is not to be missed.

The di Rosa is an exciting and unique art experience in the Bay Area. It is located just south of the town of Napa, near the southern gateway into the great Napa Valley wine region. Of course there are many excellent art museums, schools, and galleries to visit in this area, but the di Rosa is quite different from the others. Works in this massive collection are almost all from Northern California artists, and date from the late 1950's to the present. This makes a visit to the di Rosa an unusually good opportunity to see and appreciate the evolution and diversity of art produced here over this period of recent history. The main problem with a visit to this collection is that it is impossible to absorb it all in one visit. I never leave without planning a return visit, and at the end of each visit I have noticed that I, and the other visitors too, are all smiling; the best recommendation possible.

I have been a frequent visitor to the Bay Area for over 30 years. Before I moved here, just three years ago, I'd always visit the local art museums, trying to grasp what qualities, styles, techniques distinguish the art that's produced here on the Left Coast. When I discovered the di Rosa, and began exploring its outstanding collection of Bay Area masterworks, I finally got the perspective I'd been searching for. Plus, because the collection is housed in such a magnificent setting -- with art that dazzles almost everywhere you look -- I've been drawn back many times. What's more, the di Rosa programs are informative, engaging, and actually have given me a chance to meet some of the iconic artists whose works are included in the impressive gallery space. And the best part? Just when I think I've seen it all, I turn a corner or climb the stairs or look out across the meadow, and there's some new painting, sculpture, or installation to experience. It's a constantly inviting, always rewarding destination in every season. And now that I live here, I make a point to check out the di Rosa frequently.