Art of Oak at DeLoach Vineyards

The Wine Road is celebrating its 40th (Ruby) Anniversary with a series of events / parties this year, but my favorite has to be the Art of Oak which will be previewing this weekend at DeLoach Vineyards in Santa Rosa.

Pictured to the above by artist Bob Johnson for Sponsor Robert Young Estate Winery is a propane fire pit with fireproof cover on wheels. The artisans were asked to meet with the sponsors but were left to their own creativity to develop the art work they presented.

The art work ranges from paintings to sculptures and includes many local artisans, like Sonoma Barrel Designs. I visited these talents artists awhile back and became enchanted with their work. For the Art of Oak they produced four pieces that include a framed map of Rochioli Vineyards made from the only type of barrels they use, a kitchen cart for the Stark Family Restaurants, an exquisite bench with an inlaid wine bottle on the seat for Francis Ford Coppola Winery, and the pièce de résistance is a playable child’s harp set in an artistic archway that not only plays music but lights up as well – made for the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts Children’s Art Program.

The 40 barrels were sponsored by a variety of organizations / businesses locally for $500 & could have been purchased outright (sight unseen) by the sponsor for another $500, which many businesses did. Those not purchased are for sale during the Art of Oak at a price suggested by the artist and comparable to the work involved. Those items not sold during the Art of Oak will be auctioned off the huge 40th gala – A Ruby Affair to be held in May.

After this weekend’s preview at DeLoach Vineyards, the barrels will be moved to 40 separate locations around the county and will be available their for viewing and photography. The Wine Road will be hosting a contest for this event (sign up for their newsletter) and there will be a special give away by the Wine Road on Instagram – see my Instagram for details beginning February 16.

The proceeds of the sale of the barrels will benefits the Children’s Art Program at the Well’s Fargo Center for the Arts. For additional information on their programs related to music and art, contact the Center directly to become more involved.

A barrel created by artist Graham Doran for sponsor Selby Winery by using the wood from barrels and compressing it into a block and then carving into a Texas Longhorn (Susie Selby is from Texas) by hand. The horns are twisted metal from the barrel metal bands. Another barrel was created by artist Amy Curley for sponsor H2Hotel with metal inlays. One for Toad Hollow by artist Maureen Erickson whimsically protrays their “toad.” Another for ACORN Winery / Alegria Vineyard by artist Debey Zito is a throne with acorns carved into the front. Of course, there were dogs painted on wine barrels, houses made for man’s best friend, and sculptures depicting them created by artist Bryan Tedrick for J Rickards Winery.

Artists include: Andrew Thomas, Amy Curley, Arturo Monroy, Austin Hawley, Bob Johnson, Brendon Vogel, Bryan Tedrick, Candida Saniorenzo / John Arteaga, Debey Zito, Denee Locke, Francis Reese, Gary La Bonte, Graham Doran, Hillary Williams, John Ton, Julius Orth, Katherine Henderson, Lizabeth Kirby, Mark Thomas, Maureen Erickson, Maxfield Bala, Michael Dirk Risch, Mylette Welch, Nancy Woods, Nicky Ovit, Olivia Boyd, Paula Strother, Rob Macy, Ryan Taylor, Sheryl Melendy, Sonoma Barrel Décor & Design Co, Terry Schmit, Toby Johnson, Travis Kubota Ursula Xanthe Young, and Zach Rhodes

Sponsors include: A Rafanelli Winery, ACORN Winery / Alegria Vineyards, Balletto Vineyards, Big John’s Market, Brad & Robin Calkins, Camellia Inn, Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport, Cokas Diko Home, Courtyard By Marriott, Dickenson Peatman & Fogarty, Doubletree by Hilton, Dry Creek General Store, Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery, Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa, Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Garrett Ace Hardware, H2Hotel, Hook & Ladder Winery, Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel + Spa, J Rickards Winery, Kokomo Winery, Leap Solutions Group, Left Coast Marketing, Madrone Manor, Merriam Vineyards, Papapietro Perry Winery, Paradise Ridge Winery, Robert Young Estate Winery, Rochioli Winery, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Selby Winery, Sonoma Country Tourism, Sonoma Wine Country Leap Solutions, Sonoma Jet Center, Stark Reality Restaurants, Starlight Vineyards, Toad Hollow Vineyards, Topel Winery, Vanguard Properties, Vintners Inn, and Wells Fargo Center for the Arts

Locations for all of the barrels will be available on the Wine Road website by Tuesday, February 16, 2016.

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