  Peggy Raley, co-owner of Nassau Valley Vineyards celebrates the release of a new wine called Cape Rose on Tuesday, July 21, at a reception at the winery. Cape Rose is the second in a series of wines whose bottles feature artists labels. The new wine bottle features the work, "FIRST LIGHT" by local artist Abraxas, left. It is the first wine that was 100 percent produced and bottled on site at the winery. Thanks to new cellarmaster and winemaker Joel Werni, right, the winery is now totally self sufficient. NASSAU VALLEY VINEYARDS TO RELEASE CAPE ROSE Label features work by Abraxas. Nassau Valley Vineyards will release its new Cape Rose with its second artist label, now featuring local artist Abraxas. The Cape Rose will be unveiled from 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, July 21. "We are very excited about the release of our new Cape Rose, which marks the first wine 100 percent produced and bottled on site," said proprietor Peggy Raley. "Although we have been making wine at Nassau Valley since 1993, we have contract-bottled outside the facility. With the assistance of our new cellar master, award-winning winemaker Joel Werni, we are thrilled to now be self-sufficient. "Our very popular Cape Rose, named for Cape Henlopen, is a traditional provencal-styled rose. A crisp dry rose wine made in the tradition French style, it exhibits lively and delicate grapefruit flavors with a wonderful peach finish," she added. The label art is the "First Light" painting by Sussex County native Abraxus. "First Light" is a dramatic sunrise portrait of Delaware's Cape Henlopen light house as it was in 1924. Abraxus' work depicts the local monument with a haunting realism. Abraxus is a Lewes native and a 1993 graduate of Cape Henlopen High School. He was trained under Master Libby Berry at the New Renaissance Academy in Washington State. The public is welcome to attend the July 21 label release reception to taste the new wine, meet the artist and the winemakers and to enjoy some Sussex County hospitality. The wines will be available for sale at the winery. A limited number of bottles will be available with the artist's and winemaker's signatures. For more information or for directions, call the winery at 645-9463.  Doug Marshall, left, won the Abraxas print of the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse during the St. Peter's Annual Sidewalk Sale of Art on Saturday, July 4. Doug is shown here with the print and with George Chambers, chairman of the show. With just enough cloudiness to hold back the heat, the annual St. Peter's Sidewalk Sale of Art drew a strong crowd, with artists reporting good sales. Artists displayed their paintings on the Market Street, Second Street and Mulberry Street sides of the church property. Jane Jefferson, president of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW), which sponsors the show, said the show was so successful that luncheon food ran out and artists said they did the best ever. She said all the proceeds from the show will benefit the ECW's outreach efforts. Abraxas's "First Light" will grace the label of Nassau Valley Vineyards' new release, Cape Rose, with the unveiling set for Tuesday, July 21. |