FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CLOS PEGASE WINERY REOPENS ITS DOORS
Adair Family Wines Completes Sweeping Restoration of Napa Valley’s Celebrated Monument to Art and Wine
CALISTOGA, CA — Adair Family Wines is proud to announce the grand reopening of Clos Pegase, the iconic Napa Valley winery that has long stood as one of the region’s most celebrated intersections of art, architecture, and winemaking. After an extensive restoration undertaken to honor the original vision of its founders and its legendary architect, Clos Pegase once again welcomes guests to experience its unique blend of cultural richness and world-class wine.
A Legacy Born from Art
Clos Pegase was founded in 1984 by Jan and Mitsuko Shrem, respected art dealers and collectors who shared a singular conviction: that wine is an art form that should delight, illuminate, and surprise. From the outset, their ambition was not merely to produce exceptional Napa Valley wines but to create a world-class destination where art and winemaking would exist in seamless harmony.
The winery’s name draws its inspiration from Greek mythology: Pegasus, the winged horse, was said to have given birth to both wine and art. That mythological bond is reflected in the winery’s label, which features “Pegasus,” a celebrated 1890 painting by French symbolist Odilon Redon from the Shrems’ personal art collection — a fitting emblem for an estate built upon the belief that creativity and craft are inseparable.
An Architectural Masterpiece
To realize their vision, the Shrems partnered with the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art to launch an international architectural design competition. Beginning in May 1984, the competition drew 96 design teams from around the world. An esteemed jury reviewed the submissions, narrowing the field to five finalists before declaring architect Michael Graves the winner.
Graves, one of the most influential architects of the twentieth century, completed construction of the winery in 1987. His postmodern design for Clos Pegase merges classical Mediterranean forms with contemporary sensibility. The grand entrance portico, supported by massive pillars and open to the sky, serves as both a welcoming threshold and an architectural statement — a bridge between the winery’s production side and its spaces for the enjoyment of wine. Graves described his creation as tending “to evoke memories of a European ancestry” and possessing a “timeless sensibility.” The selection jury praised the design for embodying “a celebration of the lifestyle that is unique to the Napa Valley.”
Within the winery, 20,000 square feet of caves are carved into the volcanic knoll rising immediately behind the building. The caves are divided into two distinct zones: one side dedicated to barrel aging in a precisely controlled environment, and the other home to the dramatic Cave Theater — an intimate and acoustically expressive venue ideal for private dinners, live performances, and special events. The New York Times has described Clos Pegase as “a place of pilgrimage,” while House and Garden Magazine noted that it “has raised two ancient arts – architecture and winemaking – to a height that resonates with echoes of the ages.”
The broader grounds reflect the same curatorial philosophy. A cypress-lined courtyard carries the formal elegance of a European garden, while the property’s sculpture and fountains — including a restored 18th-century European palace fountain and a 19th-century Carrara marble Bacchus fountain from a royal palace in Turin — reinforce the Shrems’ vision of Clos Pegase as a living monument to the art of living well.
The Road to Restoration
In 2024, Adair Family Wines acquired Clos Pegase as part of a broader expansion into some of Napa and Sonoma’s most storied wine estates. Upon taking ownership, the Adair team conducted a thorough assessment of the property and found that decades of deferred maintenance had taken a significant toll. Pipes were leaking, painted surfaces were blistering, and original tile floors were coming apart. The estate was, in the words of those involved, “really showing its age.”
Rather than undertake piecemeal repairs, Jay and Tammi Adair made the bold decision to close the winery entirely and carry out a full restoration. Wine production was temporarily relocated across the street to Girard, a sister property, so that Clos Pegase could receive the comprehensive attention it deserved. The clear goal: return the estate to Michael Graves’ original design intent, in both spirit and detail.
Adair Family Wines worked directly with the Michael Graves Architecture firm to recover the original exterior color palette and guide every aspect of the restoration. The main tasting room was fully renovated, the Founders tasting bar was remodeled, and the original bronze Friendship Bench — an interactive sculpture by internationally acclaimed public artists Gillie and Marc, featuring their iconic Rabbitwoman and Dogman figures — was carefully repaired. The courtyard landscaping was restored to its original conception, with thoughtful additions chosen to harmonize with the building’s color palette.
In a deeply personal tribute, the area surrounding the 17th-century fountain is being transformed into a memorial garden for Mitsuko Shrem, co-founder of Clos Pegase, with surrounding cherry trees that speak to her memory and the beauty she helped bring to the valley.
What Awaits Guests
Guests arriving at the newly restored Clos Pegase will be greeted by the refreshed exterior in its original Graves-designed palette, and by the commanding portico whose grand columns frame a view that is at once ancient in feeling and entirely of this place. Inside, the Shrems’ original vision — now renewed by the Adairs — comes to life across expanded seating, reimagined tasting experiences, and a rotating program of art exhibitions featuring local and emerging artists.
As the remaining restoration work reaches completion, guests can look forward to exclusive tastings in the newly renovated caves, guided property tours by Moke, and a refreshed calendar of member-only events celebrating Clos Pegase’s ongoing legacy.
Introducing the 2026 Artist Series
The reopening coincides with the announcement of the 2026 Artist Series wine collection, launching to members and guests later this year. In keeping with the winery’s founding ethos, each bottle in the series will feature original artwork by an emerging artist on its label. Sourcing fruit from Lake and Sonoma Counties, the Artist Series is designed to be approachable and expressive — wines that honor the spirit of creativity in every glass.
“Clos Pegase has always been more than a winery — it is a monument to what wine, art, and architecture can achieve together. Our restoration brings it back to the fullness of that original vision, and we are honored to be its stewards for the next chapter.”
— Jay and Tammi Adair, Adair Family Wines
About Clos Pegase
Founded in 1984 by Jan and Mitsuko Shrem, Clos Pegase is a landmark Napa Valley winery designed by celebrated postmodern architect Michael Graves. Located in Calistoga, the estate encompasses 20,000 square feet of caves, award-winning tasting facilities, a rotating art collection, and some of the valley’s most distinctive terroirs, from the cool Carneros to the sun-drenched benchlands of the north. Acquired by Adair Family Wines in 2024, Clos Pegase continues its legacy as one of America’s foremost destinations for wine, art, and architectural wonder.
About Adair Family Wines
Adair Family Wines is a family-owned wine company with a portfolio of iconic properties across Napa and Sonoma. Committed to preserving the heritage and excellence of each estate it stewards, Adair Family Wines brings together passionate winemaking, thoughtful hospitality, and a deep respect for the land.
Media Contact
Jennifer Sweeney
916-215-1769
Please reach out for more information or to learn more about press visits to the winery.