First Pour Among the Redwoods

Korbel was the first painting I created for my wine country door series — the beginning of a journey I had long imagined but hesitated to start. I’d planned to begin in the spring of 2019, but life (and a little bit of timidity) delayed me. Then, one sunny Tuesday in July, after an early dentist appointment, I decided to stop making excuses. My mouth was numb, but my heart was ready. I turned my car toward the Russian River Valley and headed for Korbel.  

​

The drive itself lifted my spirits — windows down, music up, warm air flowing through the car. Few drives in Sonoma County are more beautiful than the winding road through the redwoods toward the Russian River.

​

Korbel Champagne Cellars, established in 1883 by the Korbel brothers, has always held a familiar place in my memory — once for its brandy, now for its sparkling wines. When I arrived, I wandered the grounds with my camera, exploring corners I had somehow missed on previous visits. I discovered a visitor’s center I’d never noticed before, chatted briefly about my art project, and gathered pamphlets that would later decorate a shelf (at least until my next round of decluttering!).

​

The buildings at Korbel are rustic and timeless — layers of brick and ivy surrounded by manicured gardens and towering redwoods. The air feels peaceful here, like a place where one could linger with a glass of champagne and a good book under the trees.

​

When I reached the tasting room, I wanted a photograph of the door slightly open — that perfect symbolic gesture I envisioned for this series. Too impatient to wait for visitors to pass through, I nudged it open myself and snapped several photos, laughing quietly at how odd I must have looked to anyone watching. But it was worth it — that subtle crack of light through the doorway captured the invitation I wanted to express.

​

My painting of Korbel reflects both the beauty of the winery and my personal connection to it. I use symbols to capture the essence of each place I paint. For Korbel, those symbols include: the old winery architecture, redwoods, brick, champagne and bubbles, flowers, and the nearby Russian River — all woven together in color and texture.

​

This work represents not only the spirit of Korbel, but the joy of beginning — of finally stepping through the first open door of this series.

​

Cheers!
— Patti Copus

​

(Note: Trademarked elements were digitally modified in print versions to ensure originality and compliance.)

​

Visit: July 23, 2019
Paint Began: July 28, 2019
Completed: October 23, 2019
Primary Symbols: Old winery • Redwoods • Brick • Champagne • Bottle • Bubbles • Russian River • Vegetation • Flowers

​

<--- Back to Whispers of Wine Country: Open Doors

​