The Spectacular Gardens of Ferrari-Carano

Ferrari-Carano's spectacular five acres of gardens surrounding the winery are just as well-known as its wines. What began in 1987 as a labor of love for gardener extraordinaire Rhonda Carano, took 16 months just to plan and complete the initial planting. Today, garden aficionados and wine lovers alike enjoy the beautiful gardens and dazzling displays of color that Rhonda and head gardener Pat Patin have created.



The gardens surrounding Villa Fiore, Ferrari-Carano’s Hospitality Wine Center, are Italian/French parterre in style with classic, geometric shapes that form the architectural backbone of this garden. The Enclosed Garden at the front of the Estate Winery has a more park-like setting; relaxed in design with an emphasis on color and texture, and featuring a mixture of trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals. No matter the season, the gardens are a delight, changing constantly in color scheme and plantings, beginning each year with over 10,000 tulips and daffodils that take center stage in the spring. Tulip fans can call our Tulip Hotline, (707) 433-5349, in the late winter/early spring months to find out when the tulips will be in full bloom.

Visitors can leisurely stroll the meandering path and foot bridges along a rippling stream captured at both ends by waterfalls that flow into fish-filled ponds. The over 2000 species of trees and shrubs are marked with identification tags, making this self-guided tour informative as well as breathtaking. Ferrari-Carano has some of the few successfully growing Portuguese cork trees in the area, a delight to see and learn more about. Bronze sculptures from world-renowned artists such as Dennis Smith, Douglas Van Howd and Jane DeDecker adorn the garden landscape throughout.