First Pour

With a Nor’easter settling over New England for the weekend, a vineyard visit simply wasn’t in the cards. But a rainy, windswept weekend has its own kind of charm—especially when there’s a warm studio, something hearty cooking in the kitchen, and a good bottle of red waiting to be opened.

So this week, The Vineyard Journal is staying home with me.

A Vineyard Moment

When the Vineyard Has to Wait

Not every vineyard moment happens among the vines.

This weekend, the Nor’easter had other plans for us. Instead of wandering vineyard rows or settling into a tasting room, I watched the storm roll across New England and traded a day in wine country for a cozy weekend at home.

But perhaps that’s part of the pleasure of wine—the places we visit have a way of coming home with us. A bottle discovered along the way can bring back the feeling of a vineyard afternoon, even when the weather outside says, stay put.

Behind the Easel

A Portrait in Metal

The storm gave me something every artist appreciates—a long stretch of uninterrupted studio time.

I spent part of the weekend finishing a portrait of a fellow artist who creates his work from found metal objects. When he asked me to paint his portrait, I decided his artwork should become part of the portrait itself.

Instead of simply painting the man, I imagined him made of metal.

It was quite a challenge! I worked with the colors and textures of aged steel, rivets, plates and bits of hardware while still trying to preserve the warmth and personality of the person underneath.

I think this may be one of those paintings where the challenge was half the fun.

What do you think?

Cellar Notes

A Stormy-Night Supper

Bad weather also gives me a very good excuse to cook.

For this particular chilly evening, that meant a pan of warm, bubbling lasagna—the kind of comfort food that makes the weather outside seem much less important.

And, of course, I needed a wine to go with it.

I opened a bottle of Pé Tinto from Portugal, a red I had picked up at one of my favorite wine shops. I found it deep and smooth, with a lovely raspberry character that worked beautifully alongside the rich tomato sauce, meat and cheese.

Lasagna, red wine and a Nor’easter outside?

Natures Palette

Back to the Woodland

By day two, the weather still wasn't cooperating—which meant I was right back at the easel.

This time I'm returning to my Woodland Fairy series, working on a little fairy tucked among grapevines with her spirit companion.

And you may recognize that little dog!

He's appeared in my work before, and I thought he deserved another adventure—this time in my slightly magical vineyard world.

I'm sharing a couple of in-progress photos because I love seeing how a painting changes along the way. At this stage, some areas are taking shape while others are still only lines, washes and possibilities.

There are still quite a few studio hours ahead before she's finished, but I'll be sure to share her with you when she is.

A Final Sip

This wasn't the Vineyard Journal I had planned.

There were no vineyard roads, tasting rooms or rows of grapes to wander through this weekend. Instead, there was rain against the windows, paint on my palette, lasagna in the oven and a glass of Portuguese red on the table.

And maybe that's part of the vineyard life, too.

The vineyard isn't always somewhere we have to go. Sometimes its colors, flavors and stories simply follow us home.

Until our next pour,

Nan Hurlburt
Founder, Designer & Storyteller
Tangled Vine Jewelry