UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio is hosting a wine tasting event featuring single vineyard wine releases from Langtry Estate and artist reception with works by Diane Stawicki on Friday, March 4, from 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, March 5, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Dustin Fults and Jose Vazquez of Langtry & Guenoc will join them both evenings to meet with guests.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Crackers and Beans (aka Fults and Vazquez).

The $15 ($12/per person for studio club members) wine sampler with paired appetizers created by Chic Le Chef, will feature 2014 Night Marsanne from Guenoc Valley with a chilled avocado soup with tomato brunoise and lemon, the 2012 Petite Verdot from Tephra Ridge with pork rillette with raisin, apple and whole grain mustard on rye bread, 2013 Petite Sirah from the Serpentine Meadow vineyard with herbed Manchego cheese balls encrusted with red walnuts and blueberry conserve, and the 2013 Late Harvest Viognier with orange zest almond biscotti with strawberries.

Langtry Estate’s rich history dates back to 1888 when British actress Lillie Langtry purchased 4,190 acres in pristine Lake County.

Mrs. Langtry pioneered a long tradition of winemaking in today’s Guenoc Valley by making the finest claret of that era. After she sold the estate in 1906, winemaking did not return to the Guenoc Valley until the early 1980s.

Langtry Estate and Vineyards is located in the picturesque Guenoc Valley, a high elevation terroir ranging from 700 to 2600 feet.

With more than 23,000 acres (approximately the size of the city of San Francisco), Langtry’s borders extend to southern Lake County and into the northern Napa Valley.

In addition to its breathtaking natural beauty, the estate is unique for becoming the first winery in the United States to have its own appellation with the approval of the Guenoc Valley AVA in 1981.

While Langtry has enjoyed significant critical success, the winery has emerged as one of the top producers of two of the hottest varietal wines on the market today, Petite Sirah and Sauvignon Blanc.

Each year, Langtry ranks among the top medal winning wineries at professional wine competitions, and the winery’s Petite Sirahs have won more gold medals and show awards than any other Petite Sirah in the world.

Artist Diane Stawicki moved to Lake County with her husband in 1999 and soon became involved with he Lake County Art Council and and the Konocti Art Society.

A longtime patron of the arts, Stawicki has evolved from the theatrical arts to the mastery, creativity and joy of painting.

Having studied, performed, taught and traveled throughout the United States, Canada and Europe as a choreographer, producer and dancer, Stawicki has honed her talents. Currently, she produces and choreographs the Golden Follies show in the San Francisco Bay Area.
 
With no formal training in the world of painting, Stawicki started working in oils and her repertoire now includes watercolors, acrylics, silk dying and working with clay.

She has become active in the community by volunteering to teach for the art council's Summer Youth Program. She also has been involved in the Pear festival winning the poster contest three times.

She shows her art in various places including Art in Public Places, the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro, many festivals and wineries in Napa and the Bay Area. Stawicki's other interests include participating in the yearly Fiesta of the Horse, dancing the Flamenco, traveling and swimming are favorites.
 
“With painting I am able to express my inner joy and beauty. I feel I am an artist of spirituality and caring and these are qualities I express through my work, which I so lovingly enjoy,” Stawicki said.

The Stawicki art show will be on display for the full month of March.
 
Lake County Wine Studio is both 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 gallery is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake. It is open Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 1 to 7 p.m. and Friday from 1 to 8 p.m.

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