Organizers of the annual Lake County Home Wine and Beer Makers Festival are seeking entrants to this year’s event, taking place at Lakeport’s Library Park on Saturday, June 27. Home Brewers and Wine Makers from across Northern California are urged to share tastes of their best efforts with an admiring public, along with winning recognition from a panel of professional judges.
There are no fees for the amateurs although they are urged to provide a canopy or other sunshade and lawn furniture for both themselves and their guests. Water for rinsing glasses and perhaps a selection of crackers for palate cleansing might also be a god idea. All participants should contact Ed Bublitz at (707) 277-7076, edandcharb1@att.net for space reservations or Charlie Schley (707) 279-2997, lcsaCharlie@gmail.com, for wine entries.
Those interested in entering their beverages for professional judging will be charged a fee of $7 per 750 ML bottle, applicable to most of the popular varietals, including dessert wines. Samples need to arrive at the Festival before 9 a.m. on the date of the event. The Judge’s stand will be located at the Lake County Yacht Club located just to the left of the boat ramp when entering Library Park.
Home Brewers should contact Michael Shoemaker at mshoe@mac.com for entry information and registration of their beer and ale entries.
The Winefest, as it’s called, is now in its 13th year and is the major fundraiser for the Lake County Symphony and Youth Orchestras, as well as providing music teaching for many local young people. During the Festival music is provided by a variety of sources including the popular David Neft Duo and Acoustic classical guitarist Travis Rinker.
In addition to the amateurs, many of Lake County’s leading commercial wineries and breweries also will be on hand, pouring tastes for the public who pay just $20 per advance sale ticket, or $25 at the gate, which includes a commemorative wine glass necessary for tasting, as well as ballots for voting in the popular Peoples’ Choice awards. Advance ticket outlets are available at the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, 875 Lakeshore Blvd. in Lakeport as well as Watershed Books, 305 N. Main St., Lakeport. They are also available at the tasting rooms of most of the County’s leading commercial wineries including Cache Creek, 14572 E. Hwy 20, Clearlake, Six Sigma, 13372 Spruce Grove Rd. east of Lower Lake, Don Angel, 165 N. Main St., Lakeport, Steele Wines, 3350 Thomas Dr., Finley and Lajour Winery, 8664 Siegler Springs Rd. near Kit’s Corner, Kelseyville. Other Kelseyville locations are Rosa D’ Oro, 3915 Main Street and Wildhurst Wines, 3855 Main Street.
Food and Arts and Crafts Vendors will also be featured, along with a silent auction and raffles. The event is open to the public from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Children and leashed pets are welcome although beverage tastings are restricted to those 21 years and older. Check the festival’s website at www.lakecountyhomewinemakers.com for additional information.
