Second Pour Among the Vines and Stones

The Ledson Winery was second on my list for this series which I chose for its elegance, its rich red wines, and its striking presence along Highway 12 east of Santa Rosa.  Nestled at the base of the rugged Mayacamas Mountains, the grand, castle-like building rises from perfectly manicured grounds.  The contrast between the natural, weathered hills and the architectural formality of Ledson is breathtaking.

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A tall wrought-iron gate, twenty feet at its peak and inscribed with the winery’s name, marks the beginning of the approach.  Driving through, visitors are met with long lines of white roses, endless vineyards, stately lamp posts, and the gleaming “castle” itself - each detail a prelude to refinement.

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My husband and I visited on September 21, 2019, with the single purpose of experiencing the winery in preparation for my painting.  It was a warm early-autumn day, sunlight glinting off the still-green vines.  The parking lot shimmered with limousines…often hosting weddings, birthdays, bachelorette parties, and celebrations of every kind.  The atmosphere was lively yet gracious.

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Through immaculate white doors with beveled glass, guests step into a grand oak-lined entry and staircase that feels more like a stately home than a tasting room.  You can’t ascend the staircase, but its presence alone signals the luxury that defines the entire property.

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My first sketches focused on the iron gates in which I became almost obsessed with their angles, returning twice more for better photographs.  Ironically, the gates never made it into the final composition, though they remain part of my memory of the place.

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For the mountain backdrop, I wanted to show both beauty and resilience with traces of the 2017 wildfires still visible across the Mayacamas slopes.  I adjusted the hue of the building from its real tone to a warmer one, helping it “glow” against the landscape.  The vineyards, white roses, and emerald lawns radiate quiet order and abundance.

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To capture Ledson’s grandeur, I included a limousine; an emblem of the winery’s refined indulgence.  Inside it stand figures symbolizing sophistication and celebration: the steward (posed by my husband, gardening gloves and all), the graceful legs of Melania Trump from a fashion image, and a hand with elegant red nails. These layered references bring together real experience and imaginative flair - the essence of how I translate memory into art.

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I hope this painting invites viewers to feel the same sense of occasion and awe that I did while standing on those immaculate grounds.

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Cheers!
~ Patti Copus

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Visit: September 21 2019
Paint Begun: October 14 2019
Completed: April 21 2020
Primary Colors: Ultramarine Blue • Violet • White
Primary Symbols: Castle • Mountains • Iron Gate • Vineyards • White Roses • Limousine • Figures of Elegance

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