The valley's Improvisator David Auerbach will launch the 20th season of Carols in the Caves and the first Drums of Peace Dec. 3.

Cave Music is the unique, informal approach to music performance created by Auerbach, specialist in ancient instruments played in rare acoustics. His multi-instrument concerts, using ancient wind, string and percussion instruments from around the world. This year in addition to the Carols in the Caves concerts that take place during three weekends in Napa and Sonoma counties, Auerbach will present two Saturday concerts in San Francisco.

Carols in the Caves started with a single show 20 years ago. The Improvisator still draws from old lore of the season with personal renditions of venerable carols (on ancient folkloric instruments including dulcimers, harps, psalteries, flutes, primitive drums and bells). Featured unpaid guest artists will be the audience performing as Angel Choir.

Drums of Peace, conceived for acoustics of churches and sacred spaces, had its genesis at the very end of last season's Grace Cathedral concert with inspirational drums. Now more drums both soft and resounding will evoke contemplations of peace. Other ancient sounds, selected melodic instruments of varied timbres, will intersperse peaceful carols.

In spring of 2006 Cave Music will offer Cave of the Spirits and Cave of the Drums.

The concerts begin with Dec. 3-4 2 p.m. performances at Venge Vineyards, (a cozy cave behind the door with antler lights above the floor) located at 424 Crystal Springs Road, in St. Helena

Hans Fahden Vineyards will be the setting for concerts Dec. 17-18 at 2 p.m. This "cave of lakeside elven halls where candles light the mountain walls" according to Auerbach is located at 4855 Petrified Forest Road in Calistoga.

"Twelfth Night Carols" is scheduled for Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m. and (tentatively) Jan. 8 at, 7 p.m. at Clos Pegase Winery, 1060 Dunaweal Lane in Calistoga

The concerts last two hours, with wine for sale during intermission.

Carols and Drums of Peace takes place Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. at St. John's Presbyterian Church, ("to a Gothic wooden bower through an English shingled tower," Auerbach said, 25 Lake St. (at Arguello) in San Francisco.

"Drums for the New Year," a special New Year's Eve concert takes place Dec. 31, 8 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1668 Bush St. (at Gough), in San Francisco.

General admission is $40 ($5 processing fee per order). In order for adults to enjoy the acoustics, these concerts are not for children under 10. To reserve tickets, call 224-4222 for tickets. Visit www.cavemusic.net for detailed information.