Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe Lake Tahoe

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Engine 8 Winery by Veronica Kaufman

On May 23, Engine 8 Winery in Sparks, Nevada was the scene of our KOV first “coming out from behind our masks” wine tasting event. Thirty happy and vaccinated people were glad to see each other, hug each other, and enjoy wine tasting again with friends.

Mike and Wendy Rawson, the owners of Engine 8 and natives of Nevada, treated us to a varied and delicious not-so-small bites afternoon paired with wines they made from grapes sourced from Lodi, California as Nevada isn’t famous for its wine growing regions. However, apparently there is a Nevada law that has recently gone into effect that will require 25% of the grapes to be sourced from Nevada. Hmmm, this could provide a challenge.

Our first bites, little pizzas with Hawaiian pineapple, were served with a light, slightly tart Riesling. This tasty combination was followed by “Steel” Chardonnay and a plate of cheese and salami slices. Barbera, accompanying a smoky wild boar sausage bite, was next and then their Malbec accompanied a yummy lamb pop. These small bites and their well paired wines ensured that none of us went hungry or thirsty! The final pairing was a delicious chocolate truffle and a surprising meet-up with Pinot Noir.

All of us in this chapter owe Master Commander Ernie Grossman and Master Lady Margaret Lewicki and Master Lady and Charge D’Affaires Stephanie Harris a huge thank you for working with the Rawson’s for a very memorable event and a much appreciated afternoon together.

MUSIC FOR A WHILE…….

By Veronica Rollman Kaufman

The Grossman gardens once again hosted our Lake Tahoe Chapter for a special treat: The Toccata-Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and a Musical Soiree on a lovely Saturday afternoon.

KOV members and friends gathered on June 26 at the pavilion in the Grossman gardens at 3 p.m. to first enjoy light appetizers and spirits. This was not to be a wine tasting, but a Pops and Opera tasting!

James Rawie, who, with his wife Nancy, worked to create the Toccata over 20 years ago, conducted and pleasantly surprised us with a classical concert replete with Operatic Arias. The orchestra is not only blessed with talented, experienced musicians, but also with members who bring fine operatic voices and who have performed with nationally known orchestras.

Liudmilla Mullin (mezzo soprano), Brad Perry (tenor), Stuart Duke (baritone) and Jamie Bonetto (soprano) delighted us with arias and duets from Rigoletto’s La Donna e Mobile, Carmen’s L’amour est une Oiseau Rebelde, Pearlfishers’ Au fond du Temple Saint, Merry Widow’s Lippen Sweigen and The Hippopotamus Song ! For a little light change up, we also were treated to La Boheme’s Mi chiamo mimi and Stars from Les Miserables. Then there was the finale of La Traviata’s Libiamo ne’lieti calico.

It was not only a beautiful day in a beautiful setting, but a true blessing to be together in person once again, enjoying a live performance of wonderful operatic music and enjoying the company of both our friends and the musicians.