UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio is hosting a wine tasting event featuring wines from High Valley Vineyards and an artist reception with Terry Taylor from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 1, and 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 2.
Musical guest will be MAJIDE! with Paul Kemp on keyboard and vocals by Machiko.
The $12.50 ($10/per person for studio club members) wine sampler and appetizers catered by Rosey Cooks will showcase the 2013 Sauvignon Blanc with citrus marinated shrimp and egg spread on crostini, 2014 Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon with strawberry shortcake spoons and lavender shortcake with Chantilly cream, 2012 Barbera with barbecued pork tenderloin with peppered cheese grit medallions and micro greens and 2012 Zinfandel paired with local Chèvre with fig, shaved fennel and carmelized onions on flatbread.
Located in the High Valley AVA, the High Valley Vineyard is located at the base of the ancient Round Mountain volcano in rugged terrain with giant lava outcrops that are miles long in length.
High Valley is situated in an east/west direction which allows cool air to be drawn in and makes it possible for a wide range of grape varietals to grow.
In 2012 Shannon Ridge winery owners Clay and Margarita Shannon purchased the High Valley Vineyard, which was already planted with 40 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and some Sauvignon Blanc grapes.
Additional varietals have since been added to the vineyard, which is certified sustainable and includes rotation of a large flock of sheep that eat weeds, basil leaves, trunk suckers and create compost.
The featured artist for May is Terry Taylor.
A native San Franciscan and self-taught artist, Taylor’s interest in art was sparked while drawing geometric shapes and designs at Burlingame High School where he studied art and received encouragement under the tutelage of Mr. Donet Pat.
Taylor served in the U.S. Army for two years and after his tour of duty he attended Marin College where he studied art history, and then attended the San Francisco Art Institute for Photography.
During the 1980s, he studied drawing and painting from the renowned Italian painter, Roberto Lupetti. Lupetti’s teaching changed Taylor’s approach to painting and his techniques influenced his style.
Inspiration for charcoal and pastels began in the 1980s. Taylor was taking a painting and drawing class where they were required to draw a subject in charcoal in complete detail then transfer it to canvas in complete detail.
Then, they had to paint over it in translucent layers of oil or acrylic, leaving the charcoal to bleed through, giving it depth.
“I realized I was drawing the subject two separate times and then painting it,” he said. “Three separate steps! At that time, I decided to just pursue charcoal and colored pastels. I liked the process of these two mediums … you can blend, layer, and create depth, developing a kind of softness you can’t achieve with paint.”
Taylor worked in the graphic arts and printing industries for over 30 years and during that time, he kept drawing and perfecting his art and created his own techniques to achieve the detail he wanted.
For many years, his subject matter was the American Indian, chosen from early Western and Indian photography, mostly from the 1890s.
He said, “I chose this subject because I wanted to paint real people with real faces. I can see their character and a deep soulful feeling in their faces. I see a story in each face, it’s in their eyes. I try to capture the eyes in each of my portraits. If you look closely, the eyes will follow you across the room!”
Taylor’s portfolio also includes landscapes and seascapes. A lover of nature and the outdoors, he gets ideas for paintings from personal photos he has taken, photos from friends and pictures out of books and magazines he collects. He also has a whimsical series of Santa paintings and card prints for the Christmas season.
Lake County Wine Studio is a gallery for display and sale 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 and is open Monday, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m.; and Friday from 1 to 8 p.m.
The Taylor art exhibit will be on display until May 30.
For more information call Lake County Wine Studio at 707-275-8030 or 707-293-8752.
