Beneath the Autumn Arbor

Trentadue has long been one of my favorite wineries and is often the final stop on a day of wine tasting, where I’d end with a glass of their luscious Chocolate Port.  Their wines are wonderful, but that port holds a special place in my heart.

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On October 17, 2019, I visited Trentadue in preparation for this painting.  I was about to fly to Denver to meet “new” cousins; family I’d recently discovered after learning about my biological father. It was an emotional time, and the date carried special meaning: October 17th was also my dad’s birthday; the man who lovingly raised me and had passed fifteen years earlier.

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It was a golden autumn day, the kind Sonoma does best: sunny, in the 70s, with vineyards dressed in shades of amber, crimson, and gold.  I’ve heard that red leaves mean a vine is unhealthy, but healthy or not, I think they’re stunning!

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Trentadue is nestled in Geyserville, in the Alexander Valley wine region, where the Russian River winds through rolling vineyards framed by the Mayacamas Mountains.  The approach to the winery is breathtaking; a road lined with alternating Fruitless Plum and Olive trees, leading toward fields of vines and the mountains beyond.  Even the parking lot feels charming, paved in warm Sonoma gold gravel rather than gray asphalt.

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The grounds are a blend of elegance and romance: a sweeping green lawn, statues, a tranquil fountain, and a breathtaking arbor draped in thick, twisting grapevines.  I could easily imagine a hundred weddings taking place beneath that canopy with sparkling lights overhead, and glasses raised in joy.  The winery was dressed in autumn colors that day, and it might have been my first fall visit, but it certainly won’t be my last.

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Inside, I enjoyed a tasting (including, of course, the Chocolate Port) and purchased a few bottles for my upcoming trip.  I took photos around the property, waiting for that perfect moment when someone would open the tasting room door just enough to capture my signature “inviting door” image.

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I didn’t begin this painting right away as I had three others in progress.  But I filled my sketchbook with notes and thumbnails.  When I finally began in May 2020, I wanted to capture everything: the warmth of autumn light, the sense of celebration, the chocolate tones of the port, and the romance of the arbor.

This painting took nearly a year to complete. The 2020 wildfires displaced us from our home, halting my work for six months.  When I finally returned to my studio, it was both healing and joyful…to pick up my brushes again and to return to color and calm.

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My goal with this painting was to express gratitude…for beauty, for resilience, and for love, both new and remembered.

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Cheers!
— Patti Copus

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

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Visit: October 17, 2019
Paint Began: May 5, 2020
Completed: April 16, 2021
Primary Colors: Bright Orange • Red Violet • Platonic Yellow
Primary Symbols: Fall Colors • Old Vines • Grapevine Arbor • Chocolate Port • Wedding Ambience

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