Where the Olives Gather Light

My husband and I visited St. Francis Winery on our way home from Ledson, both nestled along the Highway 12 corridor between Santa Rosa and Sonoma.  Years ago, St. Francis was one of my favorites when I enjoyed Merlot.  Over time my tastes shifted and somehow I stopped returning…until that afternoon, when we decided on a whim to stop in.  I’m so glad we did.

​

It was a warm late-summer day, the vines still green before turning to their autumn hues.  After a few tastings at Ledson, I felt pleasantly relaxed and ready to simply be in the moment.

​

From the road, St. Francis sits modestly just beyond the highway, but the approach is lovely.  My first impression was the soft palette; with the warm yellow-beige stone walls blending with the mission-style architecture, brick walkways, and golden gravel paths.  The entrance feels as inviting as its colors.  Above the main door hangs a magnificent brass bell weighing over a thousand pounds, which rings hourly across the valley.  A short walk outside leads to a graceful statue of St. Francis with his loyal sheepdog beside him, shaded by mature olive trees.

​

Inside, the atmosphere was lively and welcoming.  The tasting room is intimate, yet filled with cheerful energy; the kind of space where laughter carries easily.  Guests mingled, the air full of conversation and the clinking of glasses.  It reminded me how wine can draw people together in warmth and simplicity.

In my painting, I wanted to capture that sense of joy and belonging - the warmth of the mission stone, the resonance of the great bell, and the gentle presence of St. Francis himself, patron saint of birds and animals.  The vines, the creatures, and the people all share the same sunlight, a reminder that nature and humanity are companions here.

​

I hope you enjoy this painting, and perhaps find a moment to visit this beautiful place for yourself.

 

Cheers!
— Patti Copus

​

Visit: Sept 21 2019  Paint Begun: Oct 23 2019  Completed: Apr 21 2020
Primary Colors: Blue Violet • Green
Primary Symbols: St. Francis • Mission Architecture • 1,000-lb Bell • Old Vine Zin • Stone Walls • Birds & Animals • Olive Trees

​

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

​