Lake County, California: The 13 best 2009 summertime wine, food and music events

May 12, 12:06 PMSF Culinary Travel ExaminerWanda Hennig

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Lake Country has a summer menu of wine, food and music.

Award-winning wines, organic and biodynamic wines, home winemakers and home brewers all feature on the highlight list for summer 2009 in Lake County, California.

Food lover are well catered for with a variety of menus that include a pig roast buffet, island food, picnic fare and of course an abundance of fresh and local flavors. All this against a scenic backdrop that includes Clear Lake, lavender days, art events and, of course, the concert series for which Lake County is famous.

Concert in the Vineyard Series, Kelseyville
Saturday, May 23, 2009

The Moore Family Winery kicks off the Concert in the Vineyard Series with the Lake County Diamonds on May 23. Doors open at 5:00 p.m.; concert begins at 6:00 p.m. Bring a blanket or a low-back lounge chair. Wine and food available for purchase. $10 per person, children 12 and under free. 11990 Bottle Rock Road. (707) 738-0507.

Luau on The Lake, Lower Lake
Saturday, June 6, 2009

Set amid the Rolling Knolls Vineyard of Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery with stunning views of Clear Lake, event goers will dine on an array of island food, enjoy traditional Polynesian dancers, a fire eater display, pig roast buffet, music, and more. A benefit for the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce fireworks display. The Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold a Bachelor & Bachelorette Auction during the event, proceeds support operations. Tickets $50. (707) 994-3600.

Wine and Food Pairing and Concert in the Garden at Tulip Hill Winery, Nice
Saturday, June 13, 2009

Enjoy the lively sounds of the Lake County Diamonds in the lush gardens at Tulip Hill Winery. Doors open at 3:00 p.m. with music from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy! $10 per person includes wine tasting and food pairings. 4900 Bartlett Springs Road. (707) 274-937.

Concert in the Vineyard Series, Kelseyville
Saturday, June 13, 2009

The Moore Family Winery continues the Concert in the Vineyard Series with the Fargo Brothers. Doors open at
5:00 p.m.; concert begins at 6:00 p.m. Bring a blanket or a low-back lounge chair. Wine and food available for purchase. $10 per person, children 12 and under free. 11990 Bottle Rock Road. (707) 738-0507.

Lake County Home Winemakers Festival, Kelseyville
Saturday, June 27, 2009

Seventh-annual festival for tasting the winemaking efforts of more than 40 Northern California amateurs, as well as those from leading Lake County commercial wineries. New this year will be the addition of a home brew competition. Tasters vote on their favorites. Live music will set the mood and plentiful food from local purveyors will be available. Benefit for Clear Lake Performing Arts (CLPA). Sponsored by CLPA and the Kelseyville Business Association. Tasting is $15 per person in advance, $20 at the door, and includes a commemorative wine glass and a chance to vote on the winners. 21 years and older. 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Main Street. (707) 277-8172.

Lavender Festival at Ceago
Saturday, June 27, 2009

Each year, the fragrant fields of lavender on the shore of Clear Lake at Ceago (pictured left) is harvested and distilled. Join the festivities at Ceago, home to the tasting room of Ceago Vinegarden, the organic and biodynamic wine label of Jim Fetzer. The lavender is used to produce essential oils, soaps, and more, all of which are for sale in the tasting room. Small fee. Ceago, 5115 E. Highway 20. (707) 274-1462.

Red, White, Blush, and Blues and Concert in the Garden at Tulip Hill Winery
Saturday, July 4, 2009

The all-star band Dr. Rocket will be on stage featuring Ms. Taylor P. Collins, Levi Lloyd, Randy McGowan, Joost Vink, and Pamela Arthur, set amid the gardens at Tulip Hill Winery. Doors open at 3:00 p.m. with music from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy! $10 per person includes wine tasting and food pairings. 4900 Bartlett Springs Road. (707) 274-9373.

Concert in the Vineyard Series, Kelseyville
Saturday, July 25, 2009

End the day of wine adventuring in Lake County at The Moore Family Winery at the Concert in the Vineyard Series featuring the Lake County Blues All Stars. Doors open at 5:00 p.m.; concert begins at 6:00 p.m. Bring a blanket or a low-back lounge chair. Wine and food available for purchase. $10 per person, children 12 and under free. 11990 Bottle Rock Road. (707) 738-0507.

Lake County Wine Adventure, Countywide
Saturday and Sunday, July 25 and 26, 2009

Fifth-annual adventure gives guests a chance to explore “The Undiscovered Wine Country” of California’s Lake County. Eventgoers can sample award-winning Lake County wines from more than 20 participating wineries plus mouth-watering hors d’oeuvres during this two-day event, which is held at wineries and tasting rooms throughout Lake County. Many locations offer barrel tastings, entertainment, and winery tours. After visiting participating wineries, wine “tourists” become eligible for a raffle drawing. Purchase of two-day Adventure Ticket, $30, includes tasting at participating wineries and a logo wine glass. (800) 595-WINE (9463),

Wine and Food Pairing and Concert in the Garden at Tulip Hill Winery
Saturday, August 15, 2009

The Concert in the Garden series continues at Tulip Hill Winery with the Fargo Brothers. Doors open at 3:00 p.m. with music from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy! $10 per person includes wine tasting and food pairings. Series continues until September, 2009. 4900 Bartlett Springs Road. (707) 274-9373.

A Taste of Lakeport, Lakeport
Friday, August 21, 2009

Twelfth-annual wine tasting event featuring food, wine tasting, live music, and dancing. Businesses in downtown Lakeport stay open late for the event, which also features hors d’oeuvres at the many tasting stations, as well as live music and dancing. Purchase of a tasting ticket includes a commemorative wine glass and a chance to win raffle prizes donated by the local businesses, music begins at 8:00 p.m. in Museum Park on Main Street. Presented by Lakeport Main Street Association; a benefit for the revitalization of downtown Lakeport. 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Main Street. (707) 263-8843.

Concert in the Vineyard Series, Kelseyville
Saturday, August 22, 2009

The Concert in the Vineyard Series at Moore Family Winery continues with Bill Noteman and the Rockets on August 22. Doors open at 5:00 p.m.; concert begins at 6:00 p.m. Bring a blanket or a low-back lounge chair. Wine and food available for purchase. $10 per person, children 12 and under free. Series continues through October, 2009. 11990 Bottle Rock Road. (707) 738-0507.

About Lake County Wines and AVAs

A growing season with long warm days and cool nights, red volcanic soils, hillside and valley vineyards, and the moderating influence of Clear Lake, California’s largest natural freshwater lake, all contribute to the region’s growing reputation for producing ultra-premium wine grapes and award-winning wines.

Along with next-door-neighbor world-famous wine regions Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino, Lake County is part of the North Coast AVA (American Viticultural Area).

Within Lake County, five other AVAs exist — Clear Lake AVA, Benmore Valley AVA, Guenoc AVA, and the recently approved Red Hills AVA and High Valley AVA.

For more info: The local area code is 707. For visitor information, contact the Lake County Visitor Information Center at (800) 525-3743 or www.lakecounty.com.