SOUR GRAPES

    Gently rolling hills. Acres and acres of grape vines. Winding roads leading to picturesque wine tasting rooms. What is not to love?
    Sappy vineyard themed artwork. Just as the seashore inspires throngs of would be artists, so do the vineyards. Way too many blah, mushy, sappy paintings are offered up to the tourists.

    The rolling hills and vineyards of Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino counties are unique in that they harbor a real industry and yet are stunningly beautiful. The curves of the hills versus the multitude of rows planted with grape vines are great material for artistic composition.
    Ok, ok. Some artists do actually get it right and produce works that are much more than greeting card quality. Here are some that I admire. Cheers.

Track through the Vineyards by Britain's Julian Merrow-Smith

Autumn at Bray Vineyards by Ellie Caputo of Jackson, CA, based on a photo by Dick Carter

Vineyard Summer Afternoon by artist Joseph Peller

Vineyard Sunrise by "Johndude"

France!!! by Marin County's Timothy Horn

Wine Country by Canada's Phillip Craig.

Sonoma County Vineyard by Kelseyville's Steven Guy Bilodeau

Sunset Vineyard by Sonoma County's Nancy Ray Ricciardi

Jack London Vineyard by Mark Farina

Vineyard Afternoon Hwy 12 by California's Daniel Aldana

Carneros Region, a photograph by Petaluma's Lance Kuehne

Behind Kozlowski Farms by Sonoma County's Judith Butler