Winemaker Scott Simkover, owner of Smiling Dog Ranch, took home gold/first place for his Backyard Zin and dry-farmed Merlot, as well as Best in Show for best red wine of the day at the 2010 Winefest. Photo by Terre Logsdon.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Scratch one of Lake County's professional winemakers and you're likely to find an amateur lurking inside.

That's because many of the men and women who craft the county's premium vintages started out as home winemakers.

On Saturday, June 25, many of them will have the chance to impart much of the knowledge they've gained to the many amateurs who gather for the Lake County Home Wine Makers Festival, taking place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Lakeport's Library Park.

Since its inception nearly a decade ago the Winefest – an abbreviated version of the name – has always had most of the area's leading wineries rubbing shoulders with their less-skilled contemporaries, and it's been a happy mixture for all involved.

Although the pros are not eligible for awards they do provide attendees the opportunity to taste the best that the county has to offer, all in one place at one time.

They also provide judges to reward the winners – and sometimes advise the losers – among the dozens of wines submitted for judging by the home wine makers.

The same applies to home brewers, who profit from the know-how of the commercial brewers attending the show.

Amateur wine makers submitting samples for judging should deliver them to 125 Park St. next to Bigg's Cafe, across the street from the Library Park Festival venue, no later than 9 a.m. on the day of the event. It is the future site of Bell Hill Vineyard 's downtown wine tasting room.

Home brewers should deliver their entries no later than 6 p.m. on Friday, June 24, to Guidos Pizza, 5440 Live Oak Drive, Kelseyville.

Commercial wineries providing tastes at this year's Winefest include Rosa D'Oro, Tulip Hill, Vigilance, Bell Hill, Cougar's Leap, Moore Family Winery, Lavender Blue Wines, Steele Wines, Laujor Estate Winery and High Valley Vineyard.

Award-winner Jean Ownbey of Wild Diamond Vineyards took home gold for Mourvedre, silver for Sangiovese and bronze for Barbera at the 2010 Winefest. Photo by Terre Logsdon.

Wine Judges are Pietro Buttita of Rosa D'Oro, Stephen Dilley of Lavender Blue, Valerie Ramirez of Wildhurst, Charlie Hossom of Snows Lake, Pamela Shine-Duncan of Steele Wines, Stephanie Green of Focused on Wine and Restauranteur Jack Vos.

Home brews and ales will be judged by Jerry Worswick, a Beer Judge Certification Program-certified judge; Weston Siefert of the Saw Shop restaurant in Kelseyville; and Paul Lew, local president of the Home Brewing Club.

The annual Home Wine Makers Festival is sponsored by nonprofit Clear Lake Performing Arts, and all proceeds go to support its music activities including the Lake County Symphony, the CLPA Youth and Junior Youth Orchestras and scholarships.

The event is open to the public and families are welcome. However those wishing to taste samples of either the commercial wines, or the amateur efforts, need to purchase a commemorative wine glass. This also makes them eligible to vote in the Peoples Choice competitions for the homemade wines.

The tickets for the glasses are $20 at the gate or $15 when purchased in advance at Kitchen Gallery, Watershed Books, Shari's Secret Garden, Catfish Books or the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, all in Lakeport; Rosa D'Oro or Wildhurst in Kelseyville; Steele Wines in Finley; Tulip Hill in Nice; and High Valley Winery in Clearlake Oaks.

Additional information may be obtained at www.homewinemakersfestival.com or by calling 707-277-7812 or 707-277-7076.

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