Napa Valley Art Notes

Serge Sorokko Gallery + Martin Ray Tasting Room to Open
Napa Valley Register, May 17, 2023

The Serge Sorokko Gallery + Martin Ray Tasting Room, which will exhibit a rotating collection of contemporary American and European art while offering single vineyard wines from Martin Ray Vineyards, is set to open mid-May, according to a press release from the company.

 

The gallery is co-owned by art gallerist Serge Sorokko and Martin Ray Vineyards' proprietor, Courtney Benham. It will be open to the public year-round and offer a salon for private gatherings of up to 40 people. The salon will feature a curated selection of artwork and provide a sensory food experience from Martin Ray's food program.

 

The gallery will showcase works from internationally recognized artists, including New York-based Donald Sultan, Ross Bleckner, and Hunt Slonem, as well as Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave, known for her intricate paper sculptures.

 

The nearly 4,500 square-foot space, designed by award-winning architect Craig Steely, features retractable glass walls, reflective gloss white epoxy floors, and oversized dynamic circular “power” shapes. The steel wine bar in the center of the building will offer various wines, including Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Russian Valley Pinot Noir, and Brut Rosé sparkling wine.

 
 "We both had been wanting to create a space that merged fine art and fine wine in a new way," said Sorokko.
 

Martin Ray winemakers Leslie Renaud, Raemy Paterson, and consulting winemaker Keith Emerson, will be producing the wines.

 

"I'm thrilled that Martin Ray's first-ever standalone tasting room will offer something conceptually and architecturally unlike anything else that exists here," said Benham.

 

The gallery is located at 1500 First St., Napa, and will be open Tuesday - Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

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