The nonprofit Bartholomew Foundation was established as part of Antonia and Frank Bartholomew’s estate plan, with the intention of preserving and protecting this iconic site, the heart of the estate where Count Agoston Haraszthy launched the California premium wine business.
Today, the foundation owns and operates both the 375-acre private Bartholomew Park and the Bartholomew Estate Winery, which is nestled within the park’s grounds.
Our
Mission
The mission of the foundation is to preserve and protect the land for the benefit of both visitors and its flora and fauna, to preserve the site’s historic buildings, and to operate both a winery and vineyards — all as part of educating the public about the history of winemaking and grape-growing on this beloved site.
There are vast challenges involved in the running of this unique enterprise, ranging from climate change, to invasive-species proliferation, to fire and smoke threats. Tackling these and working to keep the hiking trails and picnic areas open to the public take enormous time, effort, dedication, commitment, and money.
The foundation opened Bartholomew Estate Winery in 2019 as part of a strategy to raise funds to meet these challenges. All profits from the winery are committed to helping the park endure.
We urge visitors who are enjoying the hiking trails and picnic areas to contribute by becoming a customer or club member of the winery. We need your help to ensure this beloved community treasure remains accessible to you and to future generations.
A “Friends of Bartholomew Park” program is in the early stages of development, and more information on this will be available soon.
Our
People
The Bartholomew Foundation is overseen by its two co-trustees, Anna and Frank Pope. Anna assumed the role of trustee from Bill Godward in 2015. As a former partner at Bill’s law firm, Anna worked closely with him on matters for the Bartholomews, fostering a deep connection to their vision and their historic property. Frank joined her as park historian and co-trustee a few years ago.
Our
Collaborations
As part of the stewardship of our forest lands within the park, we seek advice from, and/or collaborate with, Cal Fire, Shell-Vista Fire Protection District, Sonoma Valley Fire District, the National Resource Conservation Service, Fire Forward, the Sonoma Resource Conservation District, and the Conservation Corp of the North Bay.
As part of our mission to tell the story of the historic structures within the park, we collaborate with two other nonprofits, the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art and Music in Place. In Q1 of 2025, we hosted a mid-winter, 8-concert series, alternating between the museum and the Haraszthy villa. We hope to do more such events in the near future.
As part of our community outreach efforts, we collaborate with the Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross, which shares our commitment to fostering a love of nature and community building, to raise awareness of the foundation’s mission and the park’s existence.
As a part of our community outreach efforts — and to honor Antonia Bartholomew’s commitment to supporting animal shelters — we collaborate with Pets’ Lifeline, Wiley’s Wish and Family Dog rescues. Our tasting room hosts an art exhibit by a local artist, in an effort to highlight the plight of shelter dogs and encourage adoption.
Bartholomew Foundation mailing address (no public access): 1695 Castle Road, Sonoma, CA 95476