The annual bacchanal known as the Lake County Wine Adventure takes place this weekend. I am almost certain I will not enjoy the event — at least not in the way I wish.
In a perfect world my Saturday would involve hastening from one tasting to the next, pestering a designated driver along the way, soaking my palate in Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc and other stunning varietals. There’s a cruel joy in swirling a glass in the face of the designated driver, taking a big sip and raving about the complex flavors he or she is missing out on.
But it falls on some of us to soberly document proceedings rather than taunting clear-minded friends who volunteer to take the wheel and keep roads safe. So I can only envy those participating in this weekend’s fermented fun.
The Wine Adventure and other events define Lake County summers. Yes, most of us live and work here, performing the same mundane, day-to-day tasks as people everywhere. However, this is also a get-away spot. Weekend wine tours, outings on the lake, bass fishing, biking, music, casinos — it’s a place to break from the usual, a destination.
For some reason our minds tend to stray when the question of a weekend outing or brief vacation is raised. Years ago, when I was covering restaurants and nightlife in Dallas, a friend tried desperately to convince me of Las Vegas’ unique scenery. You’ll see people engaged in the wildest acts, he said. You’ll see the most mismatched couples, he said. I just shook my head.
Dallas after midnight — and often hours before — featured the same ad-lib atmosphere, the same propensity for acts tipping beyond the border of legality, the same May-August relationships (perhaps February-November would be more accurate) and the same ‘what happens here’ abandon. In search of a little wildlife, however, my friend could only conceive of a distant place with name recognition. He never thought to save the airfare and hotel bill by losing a weekend in his own town.
Yeah, yeah — it’s good to get away once in awhile. And it’s clearly also a good idea to keep your name out of the local paper. But it’s just as valuable to kick back at one of the free summer concerts in Lakeport’s Library park, to rent a boat and spend a day on the water, to pedal around the county’s scenic backroads or embark upon an epic tour of the many, many wineries.
If my count is right, 25 wineries are participating in this year’s adventure. Featherbed Railroad Bed and Breakfast, Lake County Wine Studio and Twin Pine Casino each host several different labels, making them “must stops” on the tour. Laujor Estate will also pour the nearby Cougar’s Leap label. Mt. Konocti Winery similarly assists Bullion Creek.
One of the county’s big wineries — Chacewater — is not included on this year’s tour as they must gear up for a Saturday night fundraiser. But there’s no rule against veering from the prescribed route.
The Lake County Wine Adventure this year marks, in a way, the beginning of that summer season. Consider that on the same weekend the county hosts a catfish derby and passion play. These events will be followed by barbecues, car shows, festivals, blues at the Blue Wing, concerts, A Taste of Lakeport, the Kelseyville Pear Festival and more.
I’m sure my sense of envy will grow as I make the rounds, camera in hand. But you know what? We can revisit these places anytime.
