UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Wine Studio is hosting a wine release party and artist show reception with Wildhurst winemaker Stephen Dilley and artist Lynne Wagner on Friday, Sept. 1, and Saturday, Sept. 2.

The party and reception will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday.

The $15 ($12.50/per person for studio club members) wine sampler featuring appetizers by Cache Creek Catering, will showcase Wildhurst 2016 Cellar Roots (winner of the 2017 People's Choice Award - white wine) white blend with citrus shrimp and rice noodle hand roll, 2016 Chardonnay with green apple, sausage, thyme and Asiago flatbread, 2016 Rosé with bacon, lettuce and heirloom tomato crostini and the 2015 Porch Swing red blend with a pulled pork mini taco with cherry cola BBQ sauce and queso fresco.

Artist Lynne Wagner first visited Lake County in 1975 to attend a spiritual retreat and made her permanent home here in 1996.

From 1978 to 2008 she was instructed by the Spiritual Master Adi Da Samraj, who guided her in the process of copying masterworks of art as a form of apprenticeship, reproducing works by Marc Chagall, Georgia O'Keefe, Henri Rousseau and Paul Gauguin.

She began to paint and sell figurative work of her own design in 1995.

Wagner holds a California lifetime teaching credential and a Master of Arts degree in education specializing in curriculum, teaching and learning, and has taught art in elementary school and portraiture to adult students.

She has received instruction in portrait drawing and painting from Anthony Ryder and Frank Covino.

"I am inspired to paint whatever I feel is beautiful,” Wagner said. “I use the human figure as a focal point because human faces and forms are capable of expressing the subtle and beautiful qualities of vulnerability, equanimity, strength, humor and joyfulness. Painting is a contemplative activity that combines the discipline of technique with a feeling, intuitive process of relating sensitively to the subject. When others appreciate the images that emerge, I feel the work has accomplished its purpose."

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 gallery is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake. It is open Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m., Friday from 1 to 8 p.m., and by appointment on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The Wagner art show will be on display for the full month of September.

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