LAKEPORT, Calif. – “Art and Wine in the Park,” presented by Clear Lake Performing Arts, will take place Saturday, June 22, at Lakeport’s Library Park.
“Art & Wine” takes place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and is open to the public, although wine tasting requires purchase of a commemorative wine glass for $25.
The event is a temporary replacement for the traditional – and popular – Home Wine and Beer Makers Festival, which recently was ruled illegal by the California Alcohol Beverage Control agency.
According to CLPA President Ed Bublitz, the ABC ruled that pouring tastes of homemade wines or beers was the equivalent of selling those products, which would be illegal under both state and federal law.
Since commercial wineries are not faced with the same restrictions, the festival is featuring more than a dozen of Lake County’s leading wineries, which will pour tastes of many of their award-winning vintages for attendees.
Among the commercial wineries supporting CLPA by pouring tastes of their premium vintages are Bell Hill Vineyard and Winery, Cache Creek Vineyard and Winery, Cougar’s Leap Winery, Larson Family Winery, Langtry Estate and Vineyards, Lajour Estate Winery, Moore Family Winery, Rosa D’Oro Vineyards, Shed Horn Cellars, Six Sigma Ranch and Winery, Steele Wines, St. Olof Cellars and Torn Hill Vineyards and Winery.
Participating wineries' products also will be offered at discount prices at Bruno’s Shop Smart outlet in Lakeport.
Bublitz expressed his gratitude for the wineries' support. “Our Winefest, as we liked to call it, was our major fundraiser for CLPA,” he said. “It allowed us to underwrite our truly outstanding symphony, as well as the CLPA Youth Orchestra, and help with music programs for Lake County youngsters.”
He added, “We hope 'Art & Wine' will keep us afloat until we can get the law changed to permit reintroduction of the Home Wine and Beer Makers Festival next year.”
Indications are that the region’s elected officials are sympathetic to the cause.
Tickets purchased in advance are just $20.
Outlets selling the tickets are the tasting rooms of Wildhurst and Rosa d’Oro in downtown Kelseyville, Watershed Book Store and Bell Hill Wines tasting room in Lakeport, Shannon Ridge Wines tasting room in Clearlake Oaks, Lower Lake Coffee Co. and Vigilance Wines tasting room in Lower Lake and Middletown Florist in Middletown.
Since CLPA is a leading sponsor of good music in Lake County, music will also play a major role in the event, with popular keyboardist David Neft anchoring a program of local youth groups including the popular Konocti Fiddle Club.
The CLPA Auxiliary – the official fundraising arm of the group – is assembling a spectacular array of gifts for a silent auction, including a week’s vacation time in an upscale Maui condo donated by a longtime member.
Attendees also can explore a large collection of the works of artists and craftspeople from vendors hailing from all over the north counties.
Visit CLPA online at www.clearlakeperformingarts.org .