LOWER LAKE, Calif. – On Saturday, June 18, from noon to 3 p.m., the inaugural “Cattails & Tules” food and wine pairing festival will be hosted by neighboring Gregory Graham Winery and Vigilance Winery & Vineyards.

The wineries are both on Point Lakeview Road just off Highway 29 in Lower Lake.

The event is an effort to raise money for the Konocti Regional Trails and Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association.

The event will feature great local wines and food prepared by Lake County's finest chefs.

Attendees will taste local cuisine from chefs and restaurants that will be showcasing their special pairing and culinary skills, with awards to be given in four categories by a panel of professional judges and in a fifth special category by festival participants – “Consumers Favorite Wine and Food Pairing.”

Guests also will receive a commemorative wine glass to enjoy fine wines as they enjoy breathtaking views of Anderson Marsh and the rolling vineyard studded hills above Clear Lake, while strolling the newly created 1.3 mile Vineyard Trail Loop that connects the two vineyards.

For those not interested in the short hike, special transportation accommodations will be provided.

Informational exhibits will be available on the Konocti Regional Trails System and Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association, as well as the importance of Tules and Cattails to the Clear Lake Watershed.

Lucky attendees may also win raffle prizes, including a weekend stay at "the ranch" at Vigilance and a $500 tandem inflatable kayak system.

Tickets cost $40 per person and $30 for wine club members. To date, restaurants participating in the event are the Blue Wing, Cactus Grill, Park Place, Chef Nicholas Catering, Rob Roy Restaurant and the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro.

Tickets can be purchased in person at Gregory Graham Winery (707-995-3500), Shannon Ridge Tasting Room (707-998-9656), Vigilance Tasting Room (707-994-9656) and at Umpqua Bank in Lakeport (ask for Jennifer).

Tickets also can be purchased online at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=qgyk5kcab&oeidk=a07e3tbrarp2b61e1bb .