UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio (LCWS) is hosting a wine tasting event and artist show reception featuring Red Lava Vineyards, and artist’s reception with works by Evonne Bishop on Friday, Nov. 7, from 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 8, 4 to 7 p.m.
 
The $12.50 ($10 per person for studio club members) wine sampler with appetizers designed by Chef Nick Heidemann will showcase Red Lava 2012 Sauvignon Blanc with a Ceviché of shrimp, cantaloupe & lemongrass, 2010 Tempranillo with seared beef on skewers dusted with cocoa and sea salt, 2009 Syrah with Pork Medallion on crostini topped with cherry chutney and the 2011 Syrah with red walnut and blue cheese on dried plum with Syrah coulis.
 
Artist Evonne Bishop uses several mediums for her expression of emotion, depth and color to capture the abundant natural beauty of her subjects.

Her works range from the human form to architecture, botanicals and sea and landscapes.

She was encouraged by her father to develop her talents through a four volume instruction course and quickly became skilled in colored pencil works and portraits.

Recognition came to her at an early age and in 1984 she opened a business in Kentucky where her portrait consignments thrived.

Bishop later moved to the San Francisco North Bay Area and studied technique with teacher, lecturer-demonstrator and art show judge, Joyce Hasslebeck-Fowler. She also lived on Kauai for some time and studied oils with Fanny Bilodeau. While there her paintings were shown in three galleries.

She has since returned to California and last year relocated from Lake County to Ukiah where her painting career has resumed.

Bishop has received numerous awards from her participation at fairs and prestigious art shows in San Francisco and counties north of the SF Bay.

Bud and Kristi Lawson own Red Lava Vineyards. Kristi Bishop 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. 

Kristi Bishop 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 also knows soil and even has 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. 

Through his career as a land surveyor and work with construction companies he increased his knowledge, and now concentrates his efforts on developing the unique characteristics of the soil in his vineyard and alchemy of Red Lava wines.   

Hot summer days and cool nights, ideally modified by breezes from the nearby lakes, provide optimum growing conditions for producing complex wine.

Initially the Lawsons' focus was on the Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc grape varietals, but they have found that the Tempranillo varietal thrives in the Red Hills just as grandly and they are finding a rapidly growing fan base for all three of their Red Lava wines.
 
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.

Artists' shows are held on a monthly basis with art and wine receptions held the first Friday and subsequent Saturday of each month.

The Bishop art show will be on display for the full month of November. 
 
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 from 1 to 7 p.m.; and Fridays, from 1 to 8 p.m.

For more information call Lake County Wine Studio at 707-275-8030 or 707-293-8752.