adventures

Probably my favorite day since we arrived in Sonoma was one spent with family at The Donum Estate. Part winery, part outdoor gallery, part farm, Donum is the perfect compilation of my favorite things, all rolled into one incredible experience. A a pinot-noir focused winery, framed by one of the most incredible contemporary art experiences, the Estate sprawls across 190 acres of idyllic, rolling hills in the Carneros region of Sonoma County.

There are three visiting experiences available at Donum to select from when visiting ranging from an hour long tasting experience, to a two-hour long tasting/bite pairing, plus a jeep tour of the art installations. We opted for the in-depth Explore Experience, so we could experience everything the Estate has to offer.

Our afternoon began with a personal greeting from our host with glasses of Donum’s award winning pinot rose in hand. After a brief tour of the gardens and winemaking facility, we were escorted to a private, and socially distanced outdoor dining room where we enjoyed a seasonal exploration of Reserve, Single-Block and Library wines. We were even treated to a special 2011 vintage the staff had enjoyed earlier in the week. Each tasting was accompanied by a beautifully prepared complimentary food bite, enabling us to experience the full potential and balance of each wine. 

Once our tasting was complete, we packed into the jeep for a tour of the art collection. At Donum the wine and art live harmoniously together, with more than 40 large-scale sculptures dotted throughout the landscape. The collection brings together a global community of artists, including works from Ai Weiwei, Keith Haring, Subodh Gupta, Doug Aitken, and many more. The most recent installation is a marvelous piece by Doug Aitken, a site specific commission for the Estate. This ethereal work is comprised of 365 interactive chimes set beautifully within a eucalyptus grove.  

Many of the art pieces can be seen from the road outside the Estate, providing a bit of a hint at what’s behind the gate. Ben and I had cycled past many times, and I put it on my wish list to explore once we had family in town. Our experience did not disappoint, it was seriously one of the most special days of my life. I highly recommend! Be sure and call though, Donum is by appointment only. We’ve also joined the Donum wine club which provides complimentary tastings as well as guaranteed access to limited production wines.