UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Wine Studio is hosting a wine release party and artist show reception with Six Sigma Winery and artist Susan Kahn on Friday, May 3, from 5 from 8 p.m., and Saturday, May 4, from 4 to 7 p.m.

The $15 ($12.50/per person for studio club members) wine sampler featuring appetizers by Lakeport Catering, will showcase Six Sigma 2018 Sauvignon Blanc paired with artichoke and chèvre fritters with citrus aioli, 2015 Tempranillo Reserve with roasted beet gazpacho with balsamic drizzle, 2015 Diamond Mine Red Blend with micro greens with smoked duck and stone fruit salsa, and the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve with bacon wrapped bistro filet with Cabernet Glaze.

Kaj and Else Ahlmann purchased the 4,300 acre Lower Lake ranch in 2000, which would become their Six Sigma Ranch and Winery.

The property has a rich history of ranching and farming settlements dating back to the mid-1800s, and a stage coach route used to cross the property to take passengers to and from the quicksilver mines in Knoxville.

The original stage coach house burned down in the early 1950s and one of the previous land owners built a small house on the same site. Today, that little house is the Six Sigma tasting room.

Six Sigma Ranch abounds with wildlife and natural splendor. The Ahlmanns wished to maintain the natural state so their first step was to donate a conservation easement to the Golden State Land Conservancy. Their development of vineyards integrates with the natural landscape and wildlife corridors run through or around them to preserve the natural habitat and allow the movement of deer, bobcat, wild turkey, wild pigs and bears.

On their range land, a herd of organically raised black Angus cattle graze on grass and contribute to the vineyard fertilizing system. In the vineyards, a herd of sheep eliminate the need for synthetic herbicides and fertilizer as they mow the weeds between the rows.

In the oak woodland on the property, the Ahlmanns began their pastured pork project in 2012 and now raise Pork in the Iberian style.

The popularity of Six Sigma Ranch beef, lamb and pork has been a great success and there is a customer waiting list for the annual available meats.

The Six Sigma winery was built with a focus on producing small lot, high quality wines from their 40 acres of naturally farmed vineyards sited at high altitudes between 1,400 and 1,700 feet.

The varietals grown in four carefully selected locations on the ranch include Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Petite Verdot and Graciano. Working within the framework of mathematically based, data driven Six Sigma principles, the grapes are tended gently through the growing and harvesting cycles and then artisan winemaking techniques yield award winning wines that express the personality of the Six Sigma Ranch.

The artist for June is Susan Kahn. Kahn will be showing a collection of photographs inspired by her interest in the wildlife on and around Clear Lake. She enjoys capturing and identifying the diverse wildlife as well as the infinitely beautiful and dynamic images each season presents in Lake County.

Kahn's venture into wildlife photography comes after many years of developing solid technique on black and white film including sports, photojournalism, photo essay, and portraiture. She later transitioned into the realm of digital photography.

Her informal training began with her grandfather's 1930's 35mm rangefinder camera and black and white darkroom technique. “This is the foundation I will always carry forward," she said.

Her formal photography education includes both digital and black and white film study at The Academy of Art and U.C. Extension.

While working as a high school teacher, Kahn's principal assigned her to the photography and yearbook classes, where she worked to inspire future generations of photographers.

Since 1990, she has participated in juried contests and has received “Best of Show” for her entries in the Lake County Fair and Oakland's Festival at the Lake.

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. 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 Kahn art show will be on display for the full month of May.

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