By Andy Demsky

Visitors to Greystone, the Culinary Institute of America's St. Helena campus, can witness one man's twisted addiction. In ten glass cases just off the main entryway, you'll discover an eye-popping collection of wily and whimsical corkscrews, perhaps the largest on display anywhere. This unusual miscellany was collected over a period of 50 years by beloved wine industry pioneer Brother Timothy, who served as winemaker and cellar master for the bygone Christian Brothers Winery.

More than 1,000 corkscrews line the walls, dating back to the 18th century. The displays are divvied up into fun categories such as "Animal Farm," which holds openers in the shapes of hippos, pigs, cats, elephants, roosters and a whole Noah's Ark of creatures. Corkscrew aficionados will appreciate the "Little People" group, with its village of highly coveted figures of imps, jolly monks, Native Americans, devils and nuns.

"I came in and was impressed when I saw one case. And then I went "Wow!" because I realized it was a whole room," says corkscrew collector Wes Shelton of Rapid City, South Dakota, a recent visitor to Greystone. Shelton was so wowed, he stopped by the corkscrew museum twice during his Napa Valley getaway. "I can't imagine how much all this is worth," he says.

Brother Timothy made wine and later managed the vast Christian Brothers wine and brandy operations from 1938 to 1989. During those years he started collecting and he hasn't stopped. In fact, he is still a member of the London-based "International Correspondence of Corkscrew Addicts," acting as their chaplain.

"They like me to write prayers for them. Even when I'm not in attendance at one of their meetings, I send a prayer off in the mail," he said with a chuckle. "In the prayers I ask that God bless those of us foolish enough to be collecting corkscrews."

Now past the age of 90 and living in retirement at nearby Mont La Salle, Brother Timothy continues to receive corkscrews from longtime friends, and he still buys those that catch his eye. He estimates he has some 200 in a collection in his private quarters and the lot is increasing, as befits one of the great corkscrew collectors of all time.

Visitors can view the collection at the CIA daily from 10AM to 6PM.