LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Winery Association has announced that the 2011 Lake County Wine Competition will take place on July 28.

This third annual competition exclusively showcases wines that specifically state a Lake County AVA on the label.

The competition will commence at Brassfield Estate Winery in Clearlake Oaks, where a prestigious panel of wine experts from across the country will blind-taste and judge more than 300 wines to select the top finalists in each category.

Ray Johnson, director Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute, assistant director of the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, and author of numerous articles and his blog TasteWine will preside as director for the professional judging.

Participating wineries are asked to submit their entries by the July 15 deadline.

Entry forms will be sent out early in the month of May – look to receive your competition packet soon.

All Lake County wines made in and outside the county using at least 75 percent Lake County grapes are encouraged to enter.

For more information on entry parameters, call 707-355-2762 or go to www.lakecountywineries.org .

Following the professional judging, the People’s Choice Wine Competition, a consumer tasting event will be held at Langtry Estate & Vineyards in Middletown, on Nov. 5, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., where the “people” will taste and vote for their choice among the judges’ top picks.

Winners of the People’s Choice Wine Awards will be announced at the conclusion of the event. For more information go to the association's Web site.

Formed in 2007, the Lake County Winery Association is a nonprofit organization of vintners and associate members.

Partnering with several other organizations, the association strives to promote the county’s unique and distinct rural attributes.

Several wine events are scheduled throughout 2011: the Lake County Wine Adventure on July 30 and 31; the Lake County Wine Auction on Sept. 17 at Ceago; the Steele Wines Harvest Faire on Oct. 8 and 9; and the People’s Choice Wine Awards tasting on Nov. 5.

For more information on upcoming events and Lake County wine news visit www.lakecountywineries.org .

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