The Donum Estate: Where Wine Meets Art in Sonoma Valley

The Donum Estate, renowned for its unique, spicy Pinot Noir, is nestled in the Carneros region of Sonoma Valley. Originally a dairy farm, the site's mild climate was perfect for grazing cows. Allan Warburg, who first discovered the estate as a collector of its Pinot Noir, seized the opportunity to acquire the winery in 2011 after building his fortune in China's fashion business.

One of Jaume Plensa’s Head Series, Sanna (2015), greets visitors at the entrance. This series, featuring the faces of young girls, focuses on capturing moments of beauty that are ever-changing and fleeting. Photo: Deven Mann

Initially, Warburg had neither the intention of continuing the wine business nor any interest in sculpture collecting. However, the serene atmosphere of the vineyards, the clear lakeside views, and the surrounding migratory birds and forests deeply inspired him. He was convinced that this beautiful rural landscape could serve as the perfect stage for integrating art into the winery experience. This marked the beginning of the Donum Sculpture Garden Project, which seamlessly integrates art into the rural landscape. The 200-acre property, reminiscent of a national park, invites visitors to explore both nature and creativity. 

The winery operates on a reservation-only basis, emphasizing intimate, personalized experiences surrounded by nature. Visitors are greeted by a stunning sculpture at the entrance: Sanna (2011), a fiberglass piece by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa. The pure white sculpture of a girl meditating with her eyes closed subtly stretches and contracts, creating an optical illusion that feels like a hologram. It serves as a peaceful introduction, gently guiding guests away from their daily lives and into the tranquility of the estate.

The tasting room building, known as Domun Home, was designed by MH Architects of San Francisco. Photo: Cesar Rubio Photography, Courtesy of The Donum Estate.

The tasting room, a building completed a few years ago, features a simple exterior of white walls and a gable roof, reminiscent of the old farmhouse that once stood on the property. Inside, however, the space is more like an art gallery. At the entrance, a golden pumpkin by renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama greets guests. The interior is home to several celebrated works, including a painting by Yue Minjun (born 1962), a leading contemporary Chinese artist, and a neon installation by Tracey Emin (born 1963), a prominent figure in the Young British Artists (YBA) movement.

The tasting room features a painting by Yue Minjun. On the outdoor terrace, there is a pink fountain sculpture created by Linda Benglis. Photo: Cesar Rubio Photography, Courtesy of The Donum Estate.

“Wine can instill a moment of inspiration or madness—art can do the same.” – Ai Weiwei

It’s a common misconception that the winery’s art is merely for entertainment, as if it were a theme park. Take, for example, Black Palm (2011), a striking sculpture by British artist Douglas White (born 1977), made from discarded car tires. Located at the entrance to the tasting room, the sculpture appears to resemble a burning palm tree. White’s inspiration came from witnessing the environmental devastation caused by industrialization in Central America. The piece reflects the impact of deforestation, linking the destruction of rainforests to the process of turning palm tree sap into rubber and tires.

Douglas White’s Black Palm (2011) is made from discarded tires. Photo: Deven Mann

In the circular plaza, with its mown lawn evoking a giant board game, stands Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads (2011) by world-renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. In this work, Ai reinterprets the zodiac statues that once adorned the holiday retreat of a Chinese emperor. The original sculptures were looted by the French and British during the 19th-century Opium Wars, and their reappearance in Western auction houses raises questions about authenticity and ownership.

On the path leading up the hill, you’ll encounter The Care of Oneself (2017) by Elmgreen & Dragset, one of the most prominent Nordic duos in contemporary art. The sculpture features two identical men—one holding the other, in a pose reminiscent of Michelangelo’s Pietà. It presents a paradox: while it appears to depict one person saving the other, it also suggests the idea of saving oneself.

A stainless steel sculpture by Elmgreen & Dragset, created with classical language. Photo: Deven Mann

Subodh Gupta's People Tree (2017). Photo: Deven Mann

As you continue your walk up the hill, you’ll reach a giant silvery tree shimmering in the sunlight. This striking piece, People Tree (2017), was created by Indian contemporary artist Subodh Gupta. Made of stainless steel bowls and pots commonly used in Indian households, the sculpture forms the shape of a banyan tree—sacred in India and symbolizing life and continuity.

While the artworks at Donum resonate with a variety of social, cultural, and environmental themes, they all share one common thread: they were created in harmony with their natural surroundings, encouraging visitors to explore new ideas and perspectives.

The sculpture park tour is a trekking route that takes you through the vineyards and along the lakeside. Photo: Deven Mann

We walked for over an hour, much like on a full-scale trek, yet we didn’t feel tired. The fragrant lavender fields and the over 150-year-old olive trees were our companions along the way - Donum offers private sculpture park tours guided by staff, and the website also provides an audio tour of more than 40 works by various artists. We passed deep green lakes that could have been painted into landscape masterpieces, finally arriving at the eucalyptus forest that marked the highlight of our journey.

The eucalyptus forest, where Doug Aitken’s work awaits. Photo: Jamie Barron, Courtesy of The Donum Estate.

The grand finale was the unveiling of Sonic Mountain (Sonoma) (2019) by Doug Aitken (born 1968), a celebrated American contemporary artist. Known for his work that explores themes of time, space, and memory, Aitken has transformed part of the hill into an interactive sound installation, a large-scale wind chime that is played by the natural elements themselves.

“I wanted to present living artwork through Sonic Mountain (Sonoma). It’s something that’s played by the natural environment, not completed by the artist, and is constantly changing.” – Doug Aitken

Sonic Mountain (Sonoma) offers an improvised performance shaped by the changing natural environment. Courtesy of The Donum Estate.

In a breathtaking moment, Sonic Mountain (Sonoma) began to produce a dreamlike performance, harmonizing with the rustling eucalyptus trees, the shifting natural light, and the breeze. As the sun deepened the autumn hues and the trees prepared for another season, the sound transformed, creating a unique, ever-changing sensory experience. It was a perfect fusion of art, nature, and time—an experience that could only happen at The Donum Estate. 

 

- Written and Photographed by The JODE Team/ In cooperation with The Donum Estate/ 2019 and 2025