Upper Lake >> Lake County Wine Studio (LCWS) is hosting a wine tasting event and artist show reception featuring Red Lava Vineyards new vintage releases, and artist’s reception with works by Ruth Morgan on Oct. 2 from 5 to 8 p.m., and Oct. 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. Musical guest for both evening receptions will be local musician, Jim Williams, playing his guitar.
The $12.50 ($10 per person for Studio club members) wine sampler with appetizers by Rosey Cooks will showcase Red Lava 2014 Sauvignon Blanc (new release) with Petite Gris melon with bee pollen infused whipped mascarpone, 2011 Tempranillo (new release) with braised beef shoulder stuffed gypsy pepper with raspberry tea infusion, 2011 Syrah with blueberry brie compote on crostini with French radish slaw and the 2013 Petite Sirah (new release) with leg of lamb empanada with cocoa nib vinaigrette.
Artist Ruth Morgan was born and raised in Detroit, and earned her BFA degree from Eastern Michigan University. Morgan’s predominant painting style is Gouache on heavy watercolor paper. Gouache is an opaque watercolor that has a permanent, rich color. The paint consists of a pigment and a binding agent (usually gum Arabic). First used by the Egyptians with honey as the binder, animators such as Disney used it to paint on cels for early 20th century cartoon production and it is still frequently used to paint scenery backdrops in theatre productions and by designers in the film industry. Also included in Morgan’s artistic repertoire are acrylics on canvas, fanciful hand sewn cats, vases, ornaments and whimsical 3-dimensional mixed media dioramas and sculptures.
Morgan lives on five acres in Jerusalem Valley with her family, an abundant garden, and an assortment of wild and tame creatures.
Bud and Kristi Lawson created Red Lava Vineyards together when they founded their first vineyard location in 1998. Initially the Lawson’s focus was on the Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc grape varietals, but they found that the Tempranillo varietal thrived in the Red Hills just as grandly and they enjoyed a rapidly growing fan base for their Red Lava wines. The debut of another varietal added to the line-up, a Petite Sirah, will be part of the menu at the October receptions.
Kristi Lawson hails from generations of wine enthusiasts. Her Uncle “Shine” was known for “fortifying the families” during Prohibition, and she was told that he might have done a little jail time. She grew up in the Napa Valley in an environment where a small amount of red wine with Sunday supper was traditional and not considered illegal. Her family tree includes ancestors from the wine growing regions of France and Germany, and her foray into sensory wine evaluation classes led to a keen ability to “smell” rock and dirt for classification, consistent with the minerality of Red Lava Vineyards and their wines.
Bud Lawson passed away in August 2015. He stoically and persistently fought against a rare cancer (mantle cell lymphoma) these past 5 years and refused to let it keep him from his passion of farming grapes and producing their Red Lava wines. He was on his tractor working and enjoyed his purpose, family and friends right up until the day his life stopped. He knew soil and even had a knack for divining water for wells. From many generations of farmers, he began his informal training as a child through observation and involvement with his family on their farm in Arizona. He served in the US Air Force and was a member of Local 3 Operating Engineers for 60 years. Through his career as a land surveyor and work with construction companies he increased his knowledge, and concentrated his efforts on developing the unique characteristics of the soil in his vineyard and the alchemy of Red Lava wines.
Kristi Lawson will be joined by her sister and friends at the receptions.
Lake County Wine Studio 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 gallery is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake and 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 Morgan art show will be on display for the full month of October.
For information call Lake County Wine Studio at 275-8030 or 293-8752, or visit www.lakecountywinestudio.com.
