Photographer & sculptor Mark Bergstrom has installed several of his outdoor water sculptures in the gardens at Ironstone Vineyards.
Rustic recycled materials seem to fit right into the landscape with old pumps and rusty tanks. You can just imagine the miners pumping water from one of these during the Gold Rush... the horses hitched to an old wagon getting a refreshing drink from one of the old metal tanks...  

"The great outdoors and our country's precious natural heritage have been a passion of mine since my early childhood. I have been fortunate to have travelled throughout the world but my roots are here in Tuolumne County, California where I grew up in rural east Sonora. My growing up years were spent cavorting in the outdoors... fishing in creeks, gigging frogs, swimming in farm ponds and hunting small game.

 My Father was a large animal veterinarian and I spent countless hours with my Dad on ranch calls and today I enjoy cowboying for local ranchers branding and driving cattle.  Attending rodeos is a big favorite for me as well as fly fishing, hunting, hiking and camping.

I returned to Sonora three years ago after a 39 year hiatus that took me to Davis, Los Angeles, Saudi Arabia, Cincinnati and San Francisco pursuing my professional career in management consulting and running a variety of large nonprofit organizations.



Building water fountains and photography have been a means of capturing my love of the great outdoors. Much of my inspiration for constructing fountains comes from my artistic bend and the incredable effects of soothing water sounds. I spend many days flyfishing our country's blue ribbon wild trout fisheries, ranging from tiny gurgling brooks to roaring, boulder-strewn rivers. Many of the fountain components come off local ranches in Tuolumne County."



All of Mark's fountains are available for sale here at Ironstone. Mark will assist you with loading and offer full instructions on each piece.  Mark also has a few of his award winning photos available in our tasting room. There is a photo below of the display.

Hope you have the time to stop by Ironstone to take a look at these fun water fountains. Perhaps you will see one that fits perfectly in a corner of your yard, close enough to the patio or a window to allow you that peacefull sound of water flowing.

New Book!

By author

Wayne Hunt

"Dedicated to the memory of California’s Pioneers who came to California in search of gold.  Whether or not they found gold, their desire and courage contributed significantly to California’s land development and to America’s development as a great nation.”

“Zack and his three donkey friends make a journey on a wagon through many historic towns located in California’s Gold Rush country. By touring these towns and their museum, they learn about how gold was discovered, how it was mined, and how people lived during that historic time.  Along their path of discovery, they leave behind friends & communities that in turn learn about the good in others.

This is a fictional book in that the characters and their story are fiction. However, the facts, dates and historical info about the Gold Rush towns are factual, as much as I, the author, am able to determine them.”    - Wayne Hunt

This is a great book for the whole family! We have had fun reading the adventures  of these crazy characters as well as thoroughly enjoyed the historic facts and observations of the author along the way.  Truly fun for the kids to read and adults to discover. Available in Ironstone’s Heritage Museum & Jewelry Shoppe for only $19.99.

Theme Division Entries

Take a look at the slide show to the right and see if you can guess which of these great pieces of art will be unveiled at the reception on March 3rd... Post a comment on your favorite painting to let the artist know you care! Have fun, then mark your calendar for March 3 & 4 for a chance to meet the artists and see the real paintings.  They are always so much better in person! Come see for yourself..

Theme Division entries for Ironstone's 15th Annual Spring Obsession Art Show have been selected and will be arriving this weekend. Although the exhibit doesn't open until March 3rd, the selection of the winner of the Theme Division has to happen quite early to ensure the winning poster makes its appearance at the Artist Reception/Food Wine Pairing event, Saturday afternoon, March 3rd.

Call to Artist Open Division Entries Due

This weekend is a big weekend for us here at Ironstone. All the accepted Theme Division paintings will be arriving, hand delivered by the artists themselves.

We are promised a clear crisp sunny day here in the foothills. No better time to deliver these outstanding paintings providing a wonderful weekend day trip or for some an even better weekend get away.  I have received notice from at least one artist that is planning on taking advantage of the weather to set up an easel for a day of relaxed plein air painting somewhere on Ironstone's beautiful grounds.

Make a visit yourself to possibly meet some of the artists in the Tasting Room or search out those that might be painting out and about.

OPEN Division entries are due Friday, Feb. 3rd.  That is just around the corner, so don't waist any more time! It is a wonderful opportunity to get your name & paintings out in front of the buying customers.  You may download the entry forms from the blog (see page above) or you may email
cgomez@ironstonevineyards.com for a copy to be emailed to you.

The Spring Obsession Event opens March 3rd & 4th. Mark you calendars! It is a fun weekend.