UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio will host a wine release party with Andy Pestoni of Jelly Jar Wines on Sunday, June 26, from 2 to 5 p.m.
 
The $10/per person (complimentary for Wine Studio club members) wine sampler and appetizers will showcase Jelly Jar Hearsay White Blend (Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat), Rosé and Old Vine Zinfandel.

Andy Pestoni is a fourth generation winemaker whose great-grandfather, Albino Pestoni, came from Italy with his family and settled in St. Helena in the late 1890s.

Making wine was part of their heritage. Backyard vineyards were planted and family members were enlisted to harvest and crush grapes. They crafted food-friendly wines to enjoy around the family table – most often out of jelly jars.

Pestoni worked harvests at Beaulieu Vineyard while attending college and then went on to work in the cellar at Ferrari-Carrano in Sonoma County for several years.

When his father and uncle bought a winery in the town of Rutherford they asked Pestoni to join them to launch their new family winery. Pestoni has been the winemaker at Rutherford Grove Winery & Vineyards since 1996.

In 2005, Pestoni and his wife Shannon founded Jelly Jar Wines, a family endeavor marking a return to early California winemaking and their family heritage, and together they handle every aspect of production from start to finish.

Jelly Jar Wines are made with Lake County wine grapes from single vineyard sites Pestoni has personally chosen for their unique character, which he crafts into food-friendly wines to be enjoyed with family and friends.

The Lake County Wine Studio is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake, telephone 707-275-8030.