LAKE COUNTY
AgVenture Class digs into winegrape industry
On September 13, community leaders participating in this year’s AgVenture class dug into the winegrape industry with special presentations, a tour of a commercial winery, a visit to a production vineyard, and a curated wine and food pairing.
Winemaker Fritz Meier kicked off the day with a behind-the-scenes tour of the long-time Kendall-Jackson winemaking facility in Lakeport. The group was able to watch as the morning’s last truckload delivered freshly harvested Lake County Sauvignon Blanc grapes for processing. Meier described the various stages of the process while leading the group from the loading dock, hopper, and de-stemmer through to the fermentation tanks, and on to the barrel room where he highlighted several of the company’s sustainability efforts, including an end-to-end barrel program of sustainable forestry, wine barrel reuse, and wine-to-spirits barrel re-purposing.
Another of the day’s highlights was a vineyard visit to Beckstoffer Vineyards’ Crimson Ridge in the heart of the Red Hills AVA where General Manager Pedro Rubio shared the workings of a commercial production vineyard and several of the many techniques the company uses to address changing weather patterns and conserve water, including fly-over vine-stress and soil-moisture monitoring, dual irrigation systems, and frost protection. Rubio also described Beckstoffer Vineyard’s vineyard research project identifying the most ideal rootstock and clone combinations for drought conditions.
The lineup of presenters for the day included Ami Gunasekara, Director of Science and Research at California Farm Bureau, who provided a fact-filled analysis of water sources, capture, and distribution in California; Greg Giusti, University of California Forests & Wildland Ecology Advisor Emeritus, who gave a lively talk about the ecology of Clear Lake and the impact of roadways on the lake’s nutrient load; and Rebecca Harper, Executive Director of the Lake County Farm Bureau, who explained the many water quality, regulatory, and reporting programs required of agricultural water users.
Class members also heard about the marketing value of federally recognized appellations – American Viticultural Areas, or AVAs – from Debra Sommerfield, President of the Lake County Winegrape Commission, which also hosted an informative wine and food pairing by Marlana Gould of Brassfield Estate and seasonal lunch with local ingredients by Rosey Cooks.
The day wrapped as Angie Shannon of Shannon Family of Wines, Kendall Fults of Fults Family Vineyards, and Jonathan Walters of Brassfield Estate shared insights into wine consumer trends and marketing techniques and challenges in a panel discussion moderated by local winegrower Terry Dereniuk.
About AgVenture
Launched in 2010, AgVenture is an innovative agricultural educational program designed for non-farming community members and others who wish to understand the vital contributions of agriculture to Lake County’s quality of life. The program’s steering committee includes Katy Evans, Rebecca Harper, Colleen Rentsch, Toni Scully, Bonnie Sears, Debra Sommerfield, Katherine VanDerWall, and Sharron Zoller.
AgVenture is made possible with funding from individual donors and program sponsors like Bella Vista Farming Company, which provides van transport for program tours.
—Submitted
LAKE COUNTY
LCTC kicks off season with Neil Simon’s “California Suite” October 18
Lake County Theater Company kicks off the season with Neil Simon’s charming play “California Suite.” One set and four scenes makes for a fun two-act night at the theater.
The first scene is about Hannah and Billy, a middle-aged divorce couple trying to navigate which custody situation is best for their daughter, Jenny. The most interesting part of this scene is not just the dynamic dialogue between two seasoned actors, but the fact that the divorced couple arguing over custody issues is being played by a married couple, Laura and Tim Barnes, who are happily raising their family together.
“We have played opposite each other a handful of times over the past 15 years, but this is the first time we are portraying characters who are really at-odds with each other,” explains Laura. “A divorced couple has a very different type of chemistry than a happily married one, so it’s been a challenge to develop that tension. We have a good, healthy relationship, but naturally there’s been plenty of tension in our own marriage. We’ve been able to draw on those experiences to make the characters in our scene seem more real.”
“This play is a look into the future I never want to have,” laughs Tim. “It takes every annoying trait you or your partner have and gives it life. This role has been challenging and fun to create with Laura and Jenna, but I will admit I am anxious for it to be over! Even when your wife is only acting like she’s mad at you, you’d better watch out?”
“California Suite” will play at the Weaver Auditorium, on the second floor of the Lower Lake School House Museum, in Lower Lake. Shows are Friday October 18 and Saturday, October 19 at 7 p.m. On Sunday, at 2 p.m, the show closes its run in lower lake.
Then, the play travels north for its second weekend. “California Suite” will open at Soper Reese Theater in Lakeport on Friday, October 25 at 7 p.m. with a Saturday show on October 26 at 7 p.m. The show will close after a final show on Sunday October 27 at 2 p.m.
Keep an eye on our website, LCTC.us for ticket information coming soon..
We are looking to partner with our local businesses. If you are a business owner and would like to advertise in any or all of our programs for the season, please visit LCTC.us and reach out.
Want to be part of the fun? Check out our website for up-do-date information about auditions and other ways to get involved.
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