LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio is hosting a presentation titled “California's Golden Era and the (Real) Californios” by local historian Deb Baumann of Upper Lake on Oct. 6 at 6:30 pm.

Fine wine tasting will be available for purchase by the taste, glass and bottle, and complimentary rancho snacks will be offered to those attending while learning about the diverse culture that defined California during the prosperous “Golden Era” of the 1820s and 1830s.

There is no admission charge.

Baumann has been lecturing on this topic for nearly 20 years, giving countless presentations to schools, libraries and historical societies across the state.

Her expertise has been sought by organizations as diverse as the Smithsonian Institute, the Autry Museum of the American West, and the Santa Ynez Historical Society's huge annual Vaquero Show.

For years, her authentic 1820s-era mounted color guard enjoyed a prominent role in the front ranks of Santa Barbara's Old Spanish Days Desfile Historico (history parade).  

For the readers who are wondering why the word “real” in the lecture title is in parentheses, per Baumann, that is a tongue-in-cheek acknowledgement of a modern group called Los Californios, located in the central valley, which hosts a popular ranch-roping gathering every year.

“Most people, if they've heard of the Californios at all, they think of the modern roping people,” said Baumann.

The renewed interest in Old California that gave birth to the modern movement dates back to the early 1900s, which is also when Santa Barbara began celebrating that era with Old Spanish Days.

On Oct. 6, Baumann will explain who the original Californios were, why the Golden Era is so-called, the dark period in the mid-late 1800's when history was rewritten to cast the Californios in negative light, and the “Californio renaissance” that followed in the 1900s.

Doors will open at 6 p.m., lecture starts at 6:30 p.m. Space is limited. 

For reservations and additional information, contact Susan at 707-293-8752.

The Lake County Wine Studio is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake.