UPPER LAKE >> Lake County Wine Studio (LCWS) is hosting a wine release party and artist show reception with Don Angel Cellars and artist Matt Brunetti today 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, 4 to 7 p.m.
The Saturday evening event will include an optional progressive four-course Winemaker Dinner at the Tallman Hotel following the appetizer course at the studio. Miguel and Lupe Silva of Don Angel Cellars will be at the studio and Tallman Hotel for the receptions and special Saturday dinner event and musical entertainment will be provided by vocalist/guitarist Mara.
The wine sampler and appetizers, which cost $12.50 and $10 for LCWS members, will showcase Don Angel Cellars 2011 Sauvignon Blanc with Yerba Santa Dairy Ch?vre on Crostini, 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa) with skewers of beef and heirloom tomatoes with fennel pollen, 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa) with aged cheddar truffles rolled in rosemary and red walnuts and the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Lake County) with roasted mushrooms seasoned with garlic and rosemary.
Brunetti will show his current painted abstract imagery as well as cartoon graphic works. A native Californian, Brunetti was raised in Lakeport.
His creative side made itself known at an early age as he vividly brought stories to life with imaginative illustrations. Early works in pencil sketches, soon quickly evolved into pen and ink renditions of geometric shapes and patterns. So popular were these images that many of his friends requested them as templates for tattoos.
Brunetti”s artistic style was influenced by pop culture and in particular, Frank Kozik, an American graphic artist best known for his posters for alternative rock bands, who inspired many of his character pieces. The abstract expressionism of his work was soon enhanced as he began working with oil and acrylic paints. Here he could achieve the vivid colors and textures that lent his work more depth. Brunetti currently resides in Napa where he continues to explore his abstract imagery.
Winemaker Miguel Silva was born in Tejaro, Michoacan, Mexico. In 1989 he moved to California and the following year he embarked on his career of making wines, learning every facet of the processes. Silva was hired on as assistant winemaker for Steele Winery in Lake County from 1996 until 2004 and studied winemaking at University of California, Davis. He then became the winemaker for another Lake County winery and in 2009 he began crafting the wines that would become his own award winning brand, Don Angel Cellars.
The wines and menu prepared by chef Mark Linback at the Tallman Hotel on Saturday will showcase the 2011 Lake County Viognier, 2010 Lake County Zinfandel and 2010 Lake County Petite Sirah Dessert Wine. A link to the dinner menu can be found atwww.TallmanHotel.com. Reservations for the Saturday tasting at the studio and dinner at the Tallman cost $75 plus tax and may be obtained by calling the Tallman Hotel at 275-2244 ext. 0.
LCWS is a gallery for display of arts and a tasting room, wine bar and retail shop for the fine wines of Lake County. Artist”s shows are held on a monthly basis with art and wine receptions held the first Friday and subsequent Saturday of each month.
The LCWS is open Monday 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m., and Friday from 1 to 8 p.m. The Brunetti art show will be on display for the full month of October. For more information call Lake County Wine Studio at 275-8030 or 293-8752.
The gallery is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake.
