Featured Wines for October – Tohu Wines, Sauvignon Blanc Single Vineyard & Tablelands Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand

Tohu Wines, Sauvignon Blanc Single Vineyard, Marlborough, New Zealand (2018) $15

This fresh and focused Sauvignon has bright aromas of citrus, apples and passionfruit with a distinct fresh cut grass herbaceous line running through it. On the palate the fresh fruit shines through with more green apples, lemongrass and passionfruit given focus by some fresh natural acidity, a touch of sweetness but finishing with a dry minerality. Alcohol: 13%

Tablelands Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand (2016) $21

Firm and savory, this Pinot Noir has herb, soy and toasted cumin accents surrounding a core of dried cherry and cranberry flavors. Earthier notes emerge in the background, bringing to mind the smell of cool black soil. The bouquet is of dried rose, freshly brewed chicory coffee and warm slices of toasted bread! Alcohol: 13.4%

Oils and Watercolors by Ken Stetz are heldover for October

Summer has always been a time to meet artists who are visiting the area. A number of years ago, Ken Stetz was one of those visitors. Ken visits family in Public Landing so I was pleased to know he did not forget Bishop’s Stock and has now returned to be our featured artist for August. While this August is not like any other, we are so pleased to have Ken’s oils and watercolors here for virtual showing on our Facebook Page and our website.

Ken is a a visual artist who works professionally as an artist and illustrator in the heart of the New Jersey shore. The focus of his work is marine art – mostly the oceans and bays of the mid Atlantic region. It was no surprise to have the coastal bays and ocean along the Worcester County coastline hold his interest. When here he has spent time researching the area and observing things like working boats, shore breaks and sunrises. He sketches and photographs everything that catches his eye which gives his paintings a feeling of naturalism and realism. It is no surprise to learn that Ken is a member of the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA) and had Surf Patrol accepted into their 18th National Exhibition that was to have traveled to 5 cities. Check Ken’s website to see this painting and to learn about his commissions and his published illustrations.

Be sure to join us for Facebook Live, Thursday, August 6 at 7 PM. Follow this link Facebook Live.

Featured Wine for July – La Solitude Cotes du Rhone Blanc & Rouge, Rhone Valley, France

2019 La Solitude Cotes du Rhone Blanc $16

This is a sustainable blend of Grenache Blanc (10%), Clairette (60%), and Viognier (30%.) This is a rounded and open blend with friendly peach and honeysuckle notes. It has a breezy, almond-accented finish. This is a great pairing for sushi and Asian-style food. It is also a great appertif. Alcohol: 14.5%

2017 La Solitude Cotes du Rhone Rouge $16

This is a blend of Grenache (50%), Syrah (40%) and Mourvedre (10%) that is sustainable. It is medium-bodied wine is fresh with clean fruit and elegant tannins. This Cotes du Rhone pairs well with grilled and roasted meats. It is also a great appertif. Alcohol: 14.5%

Featured Wines for May – 2018 Crios Torrontes & 2015 Crios Red Blend, Mendoza, Argentina

2018 Crios Torrontes, Mendoza, Argentina $12

This Torrontes produced by Susana Balbo is a beautiful pale green-yellow. It is medium bodied. On the nose, it is floral, youthful and fresh. On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and a great minerality with tangy acidity and notes of fresh grapes. This is a great complement for carry-out Mexican or Asian food. Alcohol: 14%

2015 Crios Red Blend, Mendoza, Argentina $13

This blend, also produced by Susana Balbo, is a deep ruby color. It is intense with a complex nose from each varietal: blackberries coming from Malbec, freshly crushed cherries from the Cabernet Sauvignon, ripe black fruits from the Tannat, bell pepper from the Cabernet Franc, and truffles from Merlot. A good choice for meaty carry-outs! Alcohol: 14%

Featured Artists in March – Cashman, Eiseman, Rehak, Sprock & West

March gives an opportunity to see what gallery artists have been doing during the winter. This is also a great month to introduce the work of area artists who have not shown with us before. John Eiseman was a Paint Snow Hill participant who showed several paintings with us but he is recently retired and is now devoting his time doing studio and plein air work. He will show his representational landscapes. Kate Cashman was classically trained at Moore College of Art in Philadelphia and spent 20 years in interior design when she decided she wanted to have more time for painting and teaching. Kate’s paintings celebrate nature visually with vivid colors and bold interpretations of the world around her. It was very pleasing to discover she teaches at the Red Doors Community Center near Berlin for adults and children as young as 5 in workshops and series of classes.

To expand the mix of work Nancy Richards West, a regular exhibitor, recently explored figurative images with traditional “sumi-e” painting using a metallic palette. Nancy will show work that illustrates how talented she is with this ink and brush technique. Fred Sprock will show several paintings that gave him artistic satisfaction in trying new techniques and Jim Rehak will share several of his newest work. The opening reception is Friday, March 6, with wines from the Margaret River region in Western Australia.

Mark Friday, April 3 for the opening of New Work by Lynne Lockhart and Kirk McBride.

Featured Wines for March – Franklin Tate Estates

2018 Franklin Tate Estates Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia $15

Franklin Tate Estates Chardonnay, is pale straw yellow with a green tinge. The nose is a blend of creamy nougat and cashew nut with bright fruit aromas of white peach and nectarine and fresh citrus notes. The palate is lifted with white peach, nectarine and honeydew melon with a dash of lemon zest. The oak is subtle and well-integrated providing attractive flavors of hazelnut cream, nougat and hints of soft vanilla spice. The palate finishes with a lingering fresh acidity. This is a great pairing for salmon. Alcohol: 13.5%

2018 Franklin Tate Estates Shiraz, Margaret River, Western Australia $15

Franklin Tate Estates Shiraz is a deep ruby red with a purple hue. On the nose you get rich and spicy with dense dark cherry, blueberry and mixed red berry fruits. On the palate this is a highly expressive wine with great fruit concentration. The tannin structure is chewy, and the oak has provided a sweet, chocolate flavor along with hints of hazelnuts and toast. White pepper lingers on the finish. This is a highly expressive wine that is a rich, bold red. This is definitely a wine for grilled beef cooked rare. Alcohol: 14.4%

Winter Abstracts Featured in February

Our first 2020 show will be our annual Winter Abstracts. Since our first abstract show in 2008, we have enjoyed the perfect shot of energy this show provides. Included in the show are both vivid and subdued color created using different mediums – acrylic, oil, watercolor, collage and mixed media. It was very exciting to receive a new medium of mixed media on glass from John Nyberg. Anne Holland and Maureen Farrell both mentioned trying different approaches with their work for the show. This is why abstract artists interpret what they experience while trying new ideas. Besides John, Anne and Maureen, work by John Bean, Petra Bernstein, Abbi Custis, Scot Dolby, Angela Herbert-Hodges, Barb Mowery, Linda Perry, John Orth and Maurice Spector.

Featured Wines for February

2018 Santa Barbara, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Marche, Italy$14

Santa Barbara, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi perfectly captures the essence of the green, rolling hills of Italy’s Le Marche region, along the Adriatic coast directly east of Tuscany. The Verdicchio varietal itself has a little greenness, in both color and flavor as does this by Santa Barbara. It is aromatic, fleshy, dry, and savory. With aromas of apple and fresh flowers. it has chameleon-like qualities. Enjoy it year-round, day and night, without thinking too hard about food pairings.  Alcohol: 13%

2017 Azienda Agricola Evio Tintero, Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont, ltaly $14   

Azienda Agricola Evio Tintero, Langhe Nebbiolo is from Piedmont which sits on the borders of France and Spain at the foot of the Alps. In this vintage Langhe offers an impeccable balance of freshness, tannin, and mineral grit. This wine possesses the aromatics of the Nebbiolo grape used for of an aged Barolo but from young Nebbiolo fruit this wine is surprisingly dense with a savory, juicy mouthfeel and long finish. A great steak wine! Alcohol: 14%

Featured Wines for January

Our trip to Portugal several years ago raised my impression of the wine industry in that country. One of the issues at that time was finding Portuguese wines to introduce at Bishop’s Stock. There were a few importers who had connected with wine makers, but it was not until 2010 when Obrigado Vinhos Portugal, a New York based importer, was founded with the sole mission to import just one wine: Vera Vinho Verde, but because of the growing demand for Portuguese wines in the US, today Obrigado now represents many Portuguese wine families. All the wines imported by Obrigado have three things in common: quality, authenticity and value. Obrigado, which means “thank you” in Portuguese, aims to continue building a quality collection of wines that honors the places, grapes and people of the country.

Nortico Alvarhino, Minho, Portugal $14

Nortico Alvarinho is from tiny vineyard plots in Moncao and Melgao along the Minho River, on the northern border with Spain’s Galicia province. This is the best Alvarinho growing area in Portugal. Creamy citrus oil, lime and yellow apple notes are nicely spiced and detailed with saline mineral and floral underpinnings through the long finish. Nortico is light and delicate, a “porch-sipping wine” to drink on its own or a terrific seafood wine, particularly with salty oystersi Alcohol: 12.5%

Aplanta Red Blend, Alentejano, Portugal $10

Aplanta Red Blend comes from Alentejo, an arid growing area in the south of Portugal, The fruit for Aplanta comes from a community vineyard and is made from 70% Aragonez, 30% Alicante Bouschet. The color is dark garnet. On the nose you get lush blueberry, plum and red cherry aromas, overlaid with slate mineral. On the palate, red cherry and blueberry fruit have hints of fresh tobacco, black pepper and spice. Aplanta goes well with grilled meat from burgers to steaks, as well as charcuterie and sharp cheeses. Alcohol: 14%

December & January Features – Pastels by Stan Sperlak & Studio Sweep Sale

At Bishop’s Stock pastels by Stan Sperlak will be featured in the front gallery with the annual Studio Sweep Sale set up in the back gallery space. On First Friday C.L Marshall will be in the gallery with his newly published book, Chesapeake Outdoor Tales: Hunting and Fishing by the Tides. Until the end of January 2020, the Studio Sweep Sale continues along with Stan Sperlak’s featured pastels.