First Pour Among the Redwoods

Korbel was the first painting I created for my wine country door series and was 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.

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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!).

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The buildings at Korbel are rustic and timeless with 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Cheers!
~ Patti Copus

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

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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

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