Live Wine Watercolor Guest Portraits at L’Angolo Estate
Photography by Analy Photo
On Monday, August 4, 2025, I debuted my live wine watercolor guest portraits at the stunning L’Angolo Estate in Newberg, Oregon. In collaboration with Benable, this intimate brand activation brought together 50 of Portland’s top influencers for an evening of wine, bites, and one-of-a-kind keepsakes. Over the course of three hours, I created 50 portraits—each painted using L’Angolo’s Reserve Pinot Noir. In this blog, I’ll walk you through the event + what wine color portraits actually art:
How painting with wine works (and why it’s so fun!)
Why it’s the perfect brand activation for vineyards
The story behind this collaboration with Benable
How the event came together at L’Angolo Estate
About the Artist
Photography by Analy Photo
I’m Danison, the artist behind Bowtie & Brush. I specialize in live watercolor guest portraits, calligraphy, and engraving for weddings, brand activations, and events. As a proud gay Filipino American, my work is all about connection and making experiences feel extra special. I’ve painted at over 100 events and I’m always looking for ways to make live art more immersive—like painting with wine straight from the vineyard.
Painting with Wine: How It Works
Painting with wine isn’t just a fun gimmick—it’s a way to connect a keepsake to the place it was created. Like literally, how cool is that?
While you can paint with wine straight from the bottle, it’s usually very light in color. To get those darker colors, I prepare the wine by reducing it beforehand. This concentrates the pigment so the final portrait has more depth and color.
If a pre-event reduction isn’t possible, I can still use the wine as the base and layer it with watercolor shades that match its tone. Red wines—like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, or blends—work best! While white wines are my preference, they sadly don’t have the same pigment. So they’re not suitable for this style.
Why It’s Perfect for Vineyards and Brand Activations
Wine watercolor portraits add an incredible layer of storytelling to any vineyard event. Guests aren’t just taking home a piece of art—they’re taking home something made with the same wine they sipped during the event. For vineyards, it’s a beautiful way to reinforce brand identity and give attendees a truly immersive experience.
In a market where live art activations are becoming more popular, painting with wine is still pretty new and niche, just sayin’. Here’s a reel of exactly how perfect it truly was was L’Angolo Estate.
What is Benable?
Benable is a platform that lets influencers and creators share curated lists of their favorite products, places, and experiences—and even earn commission when someone purchases from their recommendations.
This event was all about celebrating those influencers while showcasing L’Angolo’s incredible wines. Guests also enjoyed light bites from Fillmore Trattoria including bacon wrapped asparagus, meatballs, and an amazing tiramisu! obvi, they also got to watch my live wine watercolor portraits.
If you wanna join Benable, feel free to use my invite link here!
The Setting: L’Angolo Estate
Photography by Analy Photo
L’Angolo Estate is a 100% estate winery set on 25 acres—20 planted with Pinot Noir and 4 with Chardonnay. Their tasting room sits on top of a hill, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, a long concrete bar, and a cozy, Northwest-inspired design. On the patio, you’ll find blankets ready for chilly evenings, and the view is pure Oregon wine country magic.
As the sun set, the event became such a vibe. Guests hung out on the patio, sipped Reserve Pinot Noir, and stopped by my table to watch their portraits come to life—each one painted with the very wine they were drinking.
FAQ: Painting with Wine at Events
1. Can you really paint with wine?
Yes! With the right preparation, wine can be reduced to a rich pigment perfect for watercolor-style portraits.
2. Does it work with white wine?
Not really—white wines don’t have enough pigment. Red wines like Pinot Noir or Cabernet are ideal.
3. How long does each portrait take?
At this event, each portrait took about 3–5 minutes, so I could complete all 50 within three hours.
4. Do you still sketch in pencil first?
Yes! I start with a pencil sketch, then outline with a fine liner before adding the wine as the color.
5. Can you prepare the wine on-site?
If needed, yes—but for the deepest color, I recommend providing the wine in advance so I can reduce it before the event.
Photography by Analy Photo
Let’s Give Your Event That Final Bowtie Touch!
Whether you’re a vineyard wanting to highlight your wine in a unique way or a brand looking to create an unforgettable activation, wine watercolor portraits are a perfect choice.
Are you a wine lover getting married? It’s perfect for that too!
Let’s make your event a one-of-a-kind experience your guests will talk about long after it’s over. Inquire today for the new and perfect for you experience.
