Wine maker 'uncorks' gallery

YOUNTVILLE, CA -- Bringing his love of contemporary art to wine country, winery owner Cliff Lede of Cliff Lede Vineyards recently opened The Gallery at Cliff Lede Vineyards. The gallery resides in the original winery building, complete with concrete floors, white walls and clean lines, as well as an abundance of natural light. The permanent collection includes Keith Haring's untitled sculpture of three dancing figures, Jim Dine's "Twin 6' Hearts," Boaz Vaadia's "Asaf & Yo'ah" and Lynn Chadwick's bronze sculpture, "High Wind IV."

"Cliff Lede Vineyards and the Napa Valley offer the perfect setting to showcase the contemporary art that I love," says Lede. "I became interested in art in my 20s and slowly began collecting art. It's a tremendous pleasure to be able to take my passion for art and our relationship with Scott White Contemporary Art (a highly regarded modern art gallery that will curate all shows in the Lede gallery) and bring world-class art to Napa--and make it available to the public."

The gallery features semiannual, six-month long shows of notable contemporary artists, with the first exhibition showcasing the works of Donald Sultan through Aug. 28. The show showcased 10 to 12 works, dating from 1995 to 2005, and ranging in size and subject. Sultan's works have been described as still lifes in a fresh and modern context. The artist works with unlikely materials, such as tar, vinyl, spackle and flocking, that are applied to square tiles and then mounted on masonite panel.

Beginning in September and continuing into 2006, The Gallery at Cliff Lede Vineyards will feature works by San Diego artist William Glen Crooks. Future exhibitions include the works of Robert Indiana, Jim Dine, Keith Haring and Sophie Ryder.

For more information, call 310-581-8095, 619-501-5689; visit www.scottwhiteart.com, www.milan-jarvis.com.