The Wine Barrel Raffle now features two raffles during Winefest. Photo courtesy of the Lake County Symphony Association.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The 2025 annual Home Wine and Beer Makers’ Festival — also known as the Winefest — comes to Lakeport’s Library Park on Saturday, June 7, from noon to 5 p.m.

This yearly event supports the Lake County Symphony Association, or LCSA.

General admission is free. Wine and beer tasters will pay $30 in advance or $35 at the gate to taste samples provided by home wine and beer makers, and from some of Lake County’s finest commercial wineries, including Six Sigma Ranch and Winery, Rosa D’Oro Vineyards, R Vineyards and Smiling Dogs Ranch.

As it has in past years, Winefest features a variety of talented artists/vendors who offer artwork, crafts, clothing and agricultural products at their booths.

Live music will be provided by Twining Time, and musicians from the Lake County Symphony.

There will be plenty of delicious food choices available, including Luv Desserts, Villa Snow Cones and La Catrina Food Truck.

Winefest proceeds support LCSA’s activities, including in-school music programs, scholarships, concerts, and underwriting of the Lake County Symphony and the Adult & Youth Concert Orchestra.

John Parkinson, music director and conductor for the last 45 years, will again be manning the symphony’s booth.

Now in its 23d year, the Winefest was started by the late Connel Murray and other amateur winemakers to raise funds for the Lake County Symphony.

As it expanded over the years, amateur and commercial beer makers were added, along with commercial wine makers.

All amateur participants are eligible to win gold, silver and bronze ribbons given for a wide range of varietals and brews in the popular “Peoples’ Choice” awards voted on by attendees.

Home winemakers also have the chance to enter their creations for blind judging by experts the evening before the Winefest.

The silent auction offers items like original artwork, trips, hotel stays, and gift items donated by local businesses and other symphony supporters.

Congressman Mike Thompson regularly provides a U.S. flag flown from the U.S. Capitol, along with wine from his Lake County vineyard.

The popular Barrel of Wine raffle now features two drawings to allow for greater participation. Lucky winners will each receive two cases of assorted Lake County wines.

Advance tickets are available in Lakeport at Watershed Books and the Lake County Chamber of Commerce; in Kelseyville you can find them at Fore Family Vineyards.

To purchase online, go to tinyurl.com/wf2025 tickets.

Visit Lake County Winefest on Facebook or go to lakecountyWinefest.com for more information.

Debra Fredrickson writes on behalf of the Lake County Symphony Association.

Symphony Wine Club member Deborah Spangler-Welch with her Squirrel Hill wine. Photo courtesy of the Lake County Symphony Association.