UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio (LCWS) is hosting a wine release party and artist show event with Laujor Estate and Cougar’s Leap, and painters Bonnie Tringali and Terry Durnil from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 2, and 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 3.
The Saturday event will include an optional progressive four-course winemaker dinner at the Tallman Hotel following the appetizer course at the Studio.
David and Cheryl Lucido of Laujor Estate will be at the studio and Tallman Hotel for the Saturday reception and special dinner event.
The $12.50 ($10/per person for studio club members) wine sampler and appetizers will showcase both Laujor Estate and Cougar’s Leap’s wines.
The Cougar’s Leap 2012 Wildcat White will be paired with a lemon cookie thin, Laujor 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon with Pork Loin drizzled with Cabernet Raspberry sauce, Cougar’s Leap 2009 Zinfandel with Manchego on walnut cranberry bread and the Laujor 2012 Sangiovese with Valrhona-LeNoir Amer Chocolate.
Artist Bonnie Tringali took several art classes at Chico State before she began her teaching career at Lakeport Elementary School in 1977. She enjoyed art projects and drawing with her students, but did not find the time to develop her own talent until she retired in 2008.
Her husband, Rich, encouraged Tringali to attend Richard Seisser’s pastel classes at the Main Street Gallery, and she began to refine her skills with Seisser’s excellent guidance.
Tringali is especially drawn to California landscapes and scenes from her (and other’s) travels. She is a member of the Lake County Arts Council.
Artist Terry Durnil has been an accomplished artist excelling in watercolors, acrylics and oils dating back to his teen years, but put artistic endeavors aside to focus on his work and family.
In 2008 he joined Richard Seisser’s pastel class and in 2012 he joined Blanca Dorian’s acrylic class. Durnil enjoys painting landscapes and western themes and he is also a member of the Lake County Arts Council.
Laujor Estate is a breathtaking 14 acre property in the Red Hills Appellation of Kelseyville, sitting high in the clouds at an elevation of 2,300 feet.
Known for their intense, fruit-forward boutique wines, the sustainably farmed vineyards at Laujor were planted in 2006 to Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah Noir and Cabernet Franc.
The vineyard site offers optimum volcanic soils that provide excellent drainage with growing conditions similar to the Mediterranean’s warm days and cool evenings, with breezes that blow in from Clear Lake.
Nestled in the Red Hills Appellation not far from Laujor Estate, is Cougar’s Leap Winery at Black Rock Ranch. The ranch is named after the large deposits of shiny obsidian rock exposed throughout the volcanic soils. The winery is named for the wild cougars that roam the hills.
The vineyard is planted to Petite Sirah and Zinfandel and is owned by award-winning winemaker, Nils Venge who also owns Saddleback Cellars in the Napa Valley.
The wines and menu prepared by guest chef Rosemary Martin at the Tallman Hotel on April 4 will showcase the new 2013 Laujor Sauvignon Blanc, 2011 Petite Sirah, 2011 Collie’s Cabernet Blend and 2012 Syrah Noir Late Harvest. A link to the dinner menu can be found at www.TallmanHotel.com .
Reservations for the Saturday tasting at the Studio and dinner at the Tallman are $75 plus tax and may be obtained by calling the Tallman Hotel at 707-275-2244, Extension 0.
Musical guests performing during the Friday reception will be Majide! with Paul Kemp on keyboard and vocals by Machiko.
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 Tringali-Durnil art show will be on display for the full month of May.
The gallery is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake. It is open Mondays, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, 1 to 7 p.m.; and Fridays, 1 to 8 p.m.
For more information call Lake County Wine Studio at 707-275-8030 or 707-293-8752.
