LAKE COUNTY >> Lake County Wine Studio (LCWS) is hosting a wine tasting event featuring wine releases from Kaz Winery, and artist reception with works by artist Marcie Ann Long on Friday, 5-8 p.m. and Saturday, 4-7 p.m. Winemaker Richard “Kaz” Kasmier will be at the studio both evenings to meet with guests. Musical guest Friday evening will be Majide!.
The $15 ($12 per person for studio club members) wine sampler with paired appetizers by Fresh and Bangin’ Eatery, will feature Kazza Roja Red with a frisée salad with charred apple and strawberry vinaigrette, 2014 Bullseye Petite Sirah with skewered portabello mushroom, jalapeño and Fresno chili with goat cheese créme sauce, 2012 Mainliner Lenoir with a butter lettuce wrap with lamb and carrot habanero sauce, and the Portworks White Port with brie custard in sesame seed rimmed waffle cone sprinkled with bittersweet chocolate and Macadamia nuts.
Kasmier was an advertising photographer in his past life. After eigth years of award winning amateur winemaking, he made the leap to commercial winemaking. Kaz Winery began as a small family-owned boutique operation in Kenwood, Sonoma Valley. Kasmier and his wife Sandi Kasmier, daughter Kristin Kasmier, son Ryan Kasmier, and daughter-in-law Emily Kasmier handled all of the facets of the business. Still a small, family-owned winery today, they specialize in organic wines, complex reds, bold blends, rare varietals and port-style wines. They relocated their production and tasting room in 2015 to the Wild West Winery in Big Valley. They are now sourcing all of their fruit from Lake County’s vineyards, and their wines are all low, or no sulfite added wines.
The Lake County Wine Studio is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake and for the months of June through August is open daily from 1-7 p.m., and Friday from 1-8 p.m. Long’s art exhibit will be on display through June 29. For more information call LCWS at (707) 275-8030 or (707) 293-8752.
