UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Wine Studio is hosting a wine release party and artist show reception with Monica and David Rosenthal of R Vineyards and local artist Denise Rushing on Friday, Nov. 2, and Saturday, Nov. 3.

The event 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 and appetizers by The Saw Shop Bistro will showcase the 2017 Viognier paired with crab drizzled with a spicy aioli on potato crisp, 2015 Cabernet Franc with beet and chickpea meatless burger bites, 2016 Reba Red Blend with portobello mushrooms with Reba Red sauce, and the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc blend with dark chocolate covered Macadamia nuts.

R Vineyards is located in South Lake County in Middletown. The grapes are sustainably farmed and grown in the soils of the Mayacamas Mountains on the north slope of Mt. St. Helena.

Owners David and Monica Rosenthal have been involved in the wine industry for 30-plus years.

David Rosenthal started farming grapes in Middletown in the early 1970's at his family's ranch, Hoodoo Creek. He met and married Monica while both were employed at Buena Vista, California's oldest winery, and a few years later the two were growing grapes and making wine in Lake County.

The featured 2015 Cabernet Franc was honored with a gold medal at the 2017 SF International Wine Competition and also won the Red, White & Blues People's Choice award that year for the category of lighter styles red wines. Their Viognier and Reba Red wines are favorites among guests at Lake County Wine Studio and the Reba Red usually sells out quickly.

Artist Denise Rushing is passionate about renewing, re-imagining and re-enchanting humanity's relationship with Planet Earth.

Even at a young age, as she transplanted pumpkin seedlings into her grandfather’s garden, collected rocks and observed tree frogs in the woods behind her home, Rushing found the natural world enchanting.

She first became interested in nature-based arts as a young child experimenting with a variety of creative media including painting, ceramics, writing and poetry.

She devoted her early career to environmental stewardship through science and technology – earning a degree in environmental engineering from Stanford University and pioneering clean technology in the energy industry including the launch of award winning energy efficiency and technology initiatives adopted by utilities around the world.

Business success notwithstanding, she recognized humanity’s relationship with Earth’s living systems required a deeper response.

After earning her master’s degree in culture and spirituality, she co-founded Rockhaven Ecozoic Center, where she developed an ecologically-inspired approach to transforming human systems that she later documented in her bestselling book: “Tending the Soul's Garden: Permaculture as a Way Forward in Difficult Times.”

In 2006, Rushing was elected to the Lake County Board of Supervisors and served two terms, where she was best known for her environmental advocacy and community revitalization efforts, receiving both state and national recognition.

Love of Earth inspires Rushing's painting and photography. Her work celebrates Earth and captures key moments in our planetary journey. Learn more about her art at www.deniserushing.net/art.

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

The Rushing art show will be on display for the full month of November.

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