LAKEPORT, Calif. – Kelseyville’s Konocti Fiddle Club will join the traditional music duo of David Neft and Steve Dubois to entertain attendees at Saturday’s Lake County Home Wine and Beer Makers Festival.
Guest acoustic guitarist Travis Rinker also will appear at the event, which takes place in Lakeport's Library Park from 1 to 5 p.m.
The Winefest, which will feature the best efforts of many northern California amateur vintners and brewers, is presented as a fundraiser by the Lake County Symphony Association.
The adult beverages entered in the Winefest – its abbreviated name – will not only be judged by a panel of professionals, but also by the public, who will have the chance to first taste, then vote, for their favorites.
Many arts and crafts vendors will also be on hand, and a major silent auction and raffles will be offered.
Included will be a package from NJ Calloway, the company that founded the famed Big Bertha golf driver, and other products that made it a leader in this game, as well as items from the legendary Calloway Car Co. and the Calloway Winery. All are courtesy of E. Reeves Calloway III and Nicole Jones-Calloway, who is a native of Lake County.
Other prizes include getaways to Reno hotels and casinos such as the Peppermill and Atlantis resort hotels, as well as more local venues like Cache Creek, Robinson Rancheria, Konocti Vista and others.
Lake County merchants have stepped forward with goods and services valued in the thousands of dollars for gift baskets to be auctioned off during the Winefest.
Also offered will be prints by world-recognized artists such as Gail Salituri and others. A major prize is a week at one of Maui’s finest condominium resorts.
Admission fees are charged only for those wishing to taste the wines and beers produced by both amateurs and professionals. Identification wrist-bands will be issued at the gate.
Tickets are $25, with advance purchase available for $20 at Middletown Florists, Lower Lake Coffee Co., E.J. Video, in the Clear Lake Riviera Shopping Center, Lake County Wine Studio, Upper Lake, the Lakeport Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, Lakeport and Watershed Books, Lakeport.
Many leading wineries also offer advance tickets including Rosa D’Oro and Wildhurst in Kelseyville, Thornhill Wines on Highway 29 near Kit’s Corner and Steele Wines, Finley.
Wine Judges include Stephanie Green, Lake County Wine Studio, Jack Vos, Twin Pines Casino and Restaurant, Bonnie Sears, Beckstoffer Vineyards, Stephen Dilley, Lavender Blue Vineyard, Brent Liner, Wildhurst Vineyard, Quincy Steele, Steele Winery, Anita McKee, Lakeside Realty, Miguel Angel Silva, Don Angel Winery and Sean Piper of Consumer Wines Magazine.