LAKE COUNTY — Lake County Wine Studio (LCWS) in Upper Lake hosted a benefit weekend, Friday and Saturday, to assist with the gathering of needed funds for the purchase of Mount Konocti.
Artist Renee Geare”s work was featured. Geare is creating a series of paintings called “100 Views of Mount Konocti,” inspired by “100 Views of Mount Fuji” by Japanese artist Hokusai. She has completed 30 of the 100 views to date.
Geare moved to Lake County in February with her husband Joe, physicians assistant at the Lucerne Clinic, and their children. Geare grew up in Michigan. She loves this area because it boasts four mild seasons. Her reason for choosing Lake County is extraordinary.
“One day I want a Newfoundland (dog). When I saw the lake, I thought, this is where I will have my dog,” she said.
More than 100 people streamed through LCWS over the weekend to view the paintings, meet Geare and enjoy the music of the band Blue Collar.
In addition to sales of Geare”s matted prints and note cards, three original paintings were sold during the event, two of which will remain on display for the month of December.
The three pieces of work sold were “California Yucca,” “Blue Heron” and “Autumn.”
Zoom was the featured winery for the event on Friday, with winemaker Matt Hughes pouring the 2006 “Top of Konocti” Zinfandel. Grapes for the wine are from Fowler”s vineyard on top of Mount Konocti.
During the show Saturday, Sol Rouge was the featured winery with winemaker Bryan Kane releasing his new 2007 Gypsy Blanc, a blend of Marsanne, Roussane and Viognier. The 2006 Sol Rouge Lake County Syrah which debuted during the event is a “Wine Club Only” release but, was shared along with the other Lake County Sol Rouge wines for tasting. This Syrah recently received a 90 point rating from the International Wine Review and 93+ point rating from Andrew McNees of ?West Coast Wines – the highest rating of Kane”s 90+ point Syrah wines.
The Wine Studio features 41 Lake County wines, representing 19 wineries and winemakers, selling by the taste, glass and bottle.
Current wineries in LCWS include: Bell Hill Vineyards, Brassfield Estate, Ceago, Cleavage Creek Cellars, Cougar”s Leap, Demeter Vineyards & Winery, Dusinberr?, Fore Family Vineyards, Gregory Graham, Kaymen Hughes, Lady of the Lake, Noggle Vineyards & Winery, Obsidian Ridge, Red Lava, Shed Horn Cellars, Six Sigma, Sol Rouge, Spencer Roloson and Zoom.
Along with wonderful wine and welcoming atmosphere, LCSW had gift items available that represent Lake County farmer”s food products from Seely”s Farm Stand gift baskets and food products, Kelsey Creek organic coffees, books, wine, jellies, note cards, earrings and Wine Country Organics.
Taking over from Zoom Wines in March 2008, owners Susan Feiler and John McGann have lived in Lake County for 12 years and have long been “aficionados” of fine Lake County wines.
For more information on Lake County Wine Studio e-mail Susan at Susan@LakeCountyWineStudio.com.
For more information on the artist Renee Geare go to www.gearestudios.com.
Mandy Feder can be reached at mfeder@record-bee.com.
