An Evening of Butterflies.
Wine, art, music and nature. Leading contemporary artist Kurt Jackson and Bordeaux’s Cornish winemaker Mark Hellyar to unveil a new Wild White Sauvignon Blanc at event in aid of Cornwall Wildlife Trust.
This intimate ticketed event will comprise of a glass of Chateau Civrac Wild White on entry, canapés by the Old Coastguard, talks on butterflies, conservation efforts and the effects of climate change by an eclectic range of speakers from writers – including Philip Marsden – to filmmakers and academics, live music by very special guest Martha Tilston and the exciting opportunity to win a work by Kurt Jackson, with proceeds going to support the invaluable work of conservation charity Cornwall Wildlife Trust.
Tickets will are limited and on sale at £5 per person.
On October 14 2017, The Jackson Foundation, an environmentally focussed art-space in the far west of Cornwall will host an eclectic mix of talks, readings and music in aid of conservation charity Cornwall Wildlife Trust.
Not only is there a unique opportunity to win an original Kurt Jackson work; this fundraising evening also serves as an official launch of the first collaboration between leading contemporary artist Kurt Jackson and winemaker Mark Hellyar’s Chateau Civrac.
A beautiful Kurt Jackson drawing of the Scarce Swallowtail butterfly graces the label of Chateau Civrac’s 2015 Wild White Sauvignon Blanc. Grown in the Bordeaux region of Cote de Duras, this wine is soft and fruity, with aromas of grapefruit and peach and a subtle vanilla finish.
Chateau Civrac is a natural wine producer, and as such their wines are organic as a minimum, with little in the way of chemical or technological intervention in growing grapes and making them into wine.
“We attempt to minimise mechanical intervention by hand pruning and minimal tractor work. This does mean that our vineyard does not look intensely manicured, in fact it looks a bit messy with grass growing between the vines and lots of native plants and wild flowers within that grass. However, this is supposed to be a natural place that supports a good wildlife system. I’m hoping that the more people understand about wine, the more that they will ask for wine that is made naturally.” – Mark Hellyar
With these principals of low impact organic production with respect for nature foremost in his mind it is little surprise that this “Agent Provocateur” craftsman and Kurt Jackson – an internationally acclaimed artist and ecologist whose passion for natural world and commitment to championing the environment are channelled through his own artistic practice – were drawn together.
“It was over a glass of wine a number of years ago that Kurt and I discussed the possibility of working on a project together. Kurt had always been a supporter of my Wild White and together we share a passion for the environment and its conservation – me as a rude mechanical working amongst the vines and Kurt with an artistic eye of how to present it. So a project began…..” – Mark Hellyar
PLEASE NOTE: The purchaser of the ticket (name on the payment card) will be the the name that is taken on the door. There will be a list on the door on the night so please take a note of which card you have used to place an order.
Once payment has been taken, you will be issued an order number, on your confirmation email, this is your ticket. Please print your confirmation email and bring with you for entry.
Artist Kurt Jackson on Chateau Civrac Scarce Swallowtail Wild White
We talk of a wine as elegant, smooth, light etc and these are all adjectives that could equally be used for butterflies – or in reverse the butterfly can become a fine metaphor for wine – something of beauty that requires the correct habitat and climatic conditions, can be rare or readily available, but is appreciated by almost everyone.
My childhood memories contain wonderful experiences of wandering around France, camping wild and exploring that rich natural and cultural world. This was tied up with my earliest delving into that biodiverse habitat of the continent; butterflies were part of the allure, searching, catching, identifying, ticking them off and often drawing them in all their variety was my boyhood passion.
I have now visited France for many years with my wife Caroline and still visit to wander and paint and yes, I notice the wildlife, the butterflies and of course enjoy the wine.
So now for me butterflies and France (and wine) all go hand in hand.
The Scarce Swallowtail is not especially rare in France but is almost unknown in the UK – maybe the odd individual is occasionally blown across the Channel to decorate our shores. It is a creature of supreme elegance and I feel that this drawing somehow captures that delightful gliding soaring flight, held aloft with the occasional flap of those stripy, pale, almost white wings. And then the tails – like tiny streamers trailing behind. They have the appearance of a very laid back, noble creature – a gorgeous butterfly that appears to take its time in life.
And the wine – well I’m not used to writing or talking about wine but “I know what I like”, and this is one very elegant beautiful Sauvignon that I certainly enjoy.
Wine-Maker Mark Hellyar on Chateau Civrac Scarce Swallowtail Wild White
Scarce Swallowtail Wild White is made from 100% Sauvignon and grown in the Cote de Duras, this wine is soft and fruity. With aromas of grapefruit and peach and a subtle vanilla finish.
Many people have asked me about the name ‘wild white’ so here is the explanation: Sauvignon is derived from the French word ‘sauvage’ or ‘wild’ and Blanc means white. So together they become Wild white. I love the name because it conjures up images of the wild Cornwall coast and my time surfing there.
This wine is an ideal partner to fresh shellfish, especially crab but equally at home with most fish and vegetable dishes. Or just with friends.
The wine will be available exclusively from www.chateaucivrac.com. Also to be enjoyed at St Tudy Inn and The Gurnards Head.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust are the leading local wildlife charity working to protect Cornwall’s wildlife and wild places. They have been helping people to enjoy nature for over 50 years and are passionate about nature conservation. The Trust work hard to conserve habitats that give refuge to rare and endangered species, protect wildlife by campaigning to influence government policy and inspire people by raising awareness about the beauty and importance of Cornwall’s wildlife. They work only in Cornwall, so all money raised stays in Cornwall.
Website: www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/CornwallWildlife
Twitter: twitter.com/CornwallNature
Instagram: instagram.com/cornwallwildlifetrust
EATDRINKSLEEP runs the The Old Coastguard, a 14 bedroom hotel in Mousehole and The Gurnard’s Head, a dining pub with 7 bedrooms also in West Cornwall, near Zennor. They also run the multi-award winning Felin Fach Griffin across the Bristol Channel in Wales. They are passionate about sustainability and locality in their kitchens and their teams create fresh seasonal menus that change daily. The Inkins were shortlisted as Hoteliers of the Year in the 2016 Independent Hotel Show awards and both The Gurnard’s Head and The Old Coastguard have won many awards of their own.
The Old Coastguard: www.oldcoastguardhotel.co.uk
The Gurnards Head: www.gurnardshead.co.uk
The Felin Fach Griffin: www.felinfachgriffin.co.uk
Other Links.
Martha Tilston: www.marthatilston.co.uk
Philip Marsden: www.philipmarsden.co.uk
St Tudy Inn: www.sttudyinn.com