LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The biggest wine weekend of the year is about to start.
The 2016 Wine Adventure will take place Friday, May 20, through Sunday, May 22.
If you don’t have your tickets yet, have no fear – tickets will be available for purchase at all participating locations for “at the door” prices.
Wineries are busy putting the finishing touches on their plans to deliver a fabulous weekend of award-winning wines, food, music and fun.
Wine Adventure 2016 will feature a few new wrinkles including more clusters of wineries in place of lots of windshield time.
Downtown Kelseyville boasts five tasting rooms within walking distance. Owner Eric Fore of Fore Family Vineyards said he is excited about the first Wine Adventure in Fore Family’s tasting room, the newest one on Main Street in Kelseyville.
Adventurers also can limit their driving while taking in multiple locations in other parts of the county including the Red Hills area, Highway 29 between downtown Kelseyville and Lakeport, and Clearlake Oaks.
This year will also feature two locations pouring wines of multiple wineries.
The LCWA Wine Garden sponsored by Lake County Wine Studio will be offering wines by Obsidian Ridge, Sol Rouge and R Vineyards.
The Wine Stop sponsored by Twin Pine Casino and Hotel will be offering wines by Langtry Estate, Shed Horn Cellars, and R Vineyards and keep the party lively with live music and local artisans.
The passport booklet this year is all new with a simpler style to guide adventure participants from place to place. However in keeping with past traditions, there is a place for stamps from favorite wineries as well as notes.
A printable version of the passport including the map, list of locations, and favorite winery/stamps/and notes card is available at www.lakecountywineries.org/adventure .
Bond theme at many locations
The weekend will kick off with Casino Royale at the Twin Pine event center in Middletown. Whether you dress to the nines or want to be more casual, this is going to be an evening of delicious Lake County wines paired with tasty appetizers from the Twin Pine’s kitchen. Dancing and table games will make it an evening to remember.
Some passport locations are planning to carry the Bond theme through the weekend while others have selected more eclectic themes this year. Reports of Bond sightings throughout the county are being reported. Revelers are invited to take selfies with Bond and post them using #lakecountywineadventure to document their finds.
Avoid the lines on Saturday and pick up your passport kit on Friday until 5 p.m. at participating locations. All ticket holders must come in to take advantage of this service.
A survey of lodging partners revealed rooms available for Friday, Saturday, and in some cases both nights. The “Here’s the Latest” blog at www.lakecountywineries.org/adventure has updated information on lodging. Twin Pine Casino and Hotel is also offering a shuttle service and has limited seats available.
Charity partners
This year, $5 of every full price ticket will be donated to #LakeCountyRising Valley Fire Relief fund. #Lake County Rising is a collaborative fundraising effort of the Lake County Winegrape Commission, Lake County Winery Association and Lake County Wine Alliance with all funds raised going to fire relief projects.
The American Cancer Society Relay for Life will also be a beneficiary for the 2016 Lake County Wine Adventure.
This year’s raffle package, aptly named Wine & Water, includes an instant wine cellar of Lake County wines plus a two-hour boat ride for eight people.
The wines are donated by the participating wineries in the 2016 Wine Adventure and will be a great start at building or adding to your wine cellar.
Bob and Madi Mount and Boatique Winery topped off this year’s package with a two-hour cruise on Clear Lake in an authentic Venetian water taxi.
The raffle winner and seven guests will enjoy Boatique wines and gourmet snacks as they take in the sights on the Lake.
This will be the third year that the instant wine cellar raffle has benefited the Lake County Relay for Life, raising over $6,000 for the fight against cancer. Raffle tickets will be on sale at many participating locations during the weekend and you do not have to be present to win.
Tickets for Casino Royale are $65 per person advance purchase only online at www.lakecountywineries.org/adventure or at local wineries.
Tickets for the passport are $55 per person advance purchase for the two-day passport ($65 at the door) and $40 per person advance purchase for a Sunday only passport ($45 at the door). Designated drivers get in free and will enjoy all of the food and fun (except of course the wine).
Tickets and additional information for all weekend events can be found at www.lakecountywineries.org/adventure .
2016 Wine Adventure takes place this weekend
- Lake County News reports
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