2 Best Shopping in Napa and Sonoma, California

Ceramicist Richard Carter fires up his minimalist line of dinnerware at his 85-acre Pope Valley ranch, where he also creates sculptures and other works on display at his downtown store. Thoughtfully curated kitchenware, home-design items, and hand-crafted clothing by other artisans are also for sale.

The French Laundry, Four Seasons Napa Valley, several wineries, and Martha Stewart herself rank among the fans of ceramicist spouses Nikki Ballere and William Callnan III. The two create artworks and dinnerware ceramics—and exhibit the works of other local artisans—in their studio east of St. Helena in Angwin. It's worth the 6-mile trip halfway up Howell Mountain to see what Ballere and Callnan, who also conduct lively classes, are up to.