Art and Wine in Harmony: Bella Union Winery Debuts Artist in Residence Program

Nestled in Rutherford along Napa Valley’s celebrated Highway 29, Bella Union Winery has long been admired for its smooth Cabernet Sauvignon blends, and most recently, its jewel-box tasting experiences and palm-lined courtyard. Now, this Rutherford estate offers a new dimension of discovery: the launch of its Artist in Residence program, debuting with distinguished contemporary artist Harold Mendez.

This inaugural collaboration celebrates Bella Union’s artistry in winemaking while creating space for dialogue between visual art and viticulture. As the newest hospitality destination in the Far Niente Wine Estates portfolio, Bella Union continues the House’s legacy of honoring both craftsmanship and connection.

A Residency Rooted in Napa and Heritage

Harold Mendez, a first-generation American of Mexican-Colombian descent and recipient of the 2024 Guggenheim Fellowship, is known for his evocative works that explore memory, place, and transformation. His residency at Bella Union brings together his personal narrative with Napa Valley’s landscapes and the labor that shapes its vineyards.

“For our inaugural year, we wanted to celebrate the spirit of Rutherford while honoring the contributions of California’s Mexican community, who have been so integral to winemaking and viticulture,” shared Beth Nickel, Proprietress of Far Niente Winery. “As our first artist in residence, Harold Mendez brings depth, vision, and reverence for both environment and culture. His works will foster connection—between guests, the land, and the traditions that make Napa Valley extraordinary.”

“A Moment’s Notice”: A Napa Valley Landscape in Art

Among Mendez’s featured works at Bella Union is A Moment’s Notice (2025), a new commission created on marbled cork and accented with silver leaf, reclaimed copper, and wine lees. The piece draws on the textures of the Rutherford landscape and responds to shifting light throughout the day, echoing the vineyard’s transformation across the seasons.

The exhibition also includes Let the shadows in to play their part (2012), a contemplative work crafted from eucalyptus bark during Mendez’s time in the Marin Headlands. Together, these works invite visitors to see Napa’s familiar scenery through a new lens—layered, symbolic, and profoundly connected to land and labor.

A Deeper Experience at Bella Union

The Artist in Residence program extends Bella Union’s mission of offering more than a traditional wine tasting. Visitors may explore Mendez’s installations throughout the winery, where his art blends seamlessly with the architecture and design of each space. His works, ranging from small sculptures to large-scale pieces, create a dialogue with the environment, much like Bella Union’s wines create a dialogue with Rutherford’s terroir.

Guests are invited to linger in the Jewel Box Tasting or gather in the courtyard with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, allowing both wine and art to frame moments of connection.

Visit Bella Union Winery

Opened in 2024, Bella Union is the newest destination in the Far Niente Wine Estates collection, complementing the heritage of Far Niente and the single-vineyard focus of Nickel & Nickel. With its Artist in Residence program, Bella Union embodies the House’s philosophy: to celebrate artistry, foster connection, and create experiences that transcend time.

The exhibition of Harold Mendez’s selected works will remain on view through October 2025, offering a rare opportunity to experience Napa Valley through both the lens of a visionary artist and the glass of an exceptional wine.

For those seeking not only fine wine but also meaningful connection, Bella Union Winery invites you to discover how art and wine come together in harmony.