The 11th annual Kitsap Wine Festival is set for Saturday, Aug. 10 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Harborside Fountain Park in Bremerton, with all proceeds going toward shelter pets in need at Kitsap Human Society.
More than 30 wineries and food vendors will be on hand for spectators to try. Long Cellars in Woodinville will be pouring their Bordeaux style wines at the festival. Owner and winemaker Jason Long said he’s long had a fascination with goats and has made friends with 16 of them, whose lives were saved at the end of their dairy and breeding careers by Lucy Lotto of Phantom Farm in Stanwood.
“Every summer a few of them visit Long Cellars in Woodinville so people can experience their silly antics and learn about how the rescue arrangements work,” Long said in a press release.
David Volmut and his wife Jennifer States craft Italian-style wines from Washington state grapes at Wind Rose Cellars in Sequim, where they reside with rescue dogs Caesar and Marco.
“Their happiness gives us joy,” Volmut said in the release. “We like to take them on walks and hikes for exercise. Like humans, they like to stop and smell the flowers.”
Volmut also said KHS “helps raise awareness about the animals available” for adoption, while raising funds to care for homeless, abandoned and hurting animals in the community.
Another winery pouring at the festival this year will be Raptor Ridge Winery in Newberg, Ore. Winery dogs Anise and Chamois became part of their winemaking family in 2010.
“The much-loved Chamois lived a long life at Raptor Ridge and left us about two years ago at 13 years.”Annie Shull said, proprietor and director of national sales.
Port Townsend Vineyards will also make their presence at the Kitsap Harbor Festival, and they house rescued goats, sheep, and a llama named Jefferson at their winery, according to Operations Manager KC Vessey. They’ll be pouring a collection of sparkling and still wines that reflect the coastal Puget Sound region, as well as varietals admired throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Tickets for the Kitsap Wine Festival are available now at kitsapwinefestival.brownpapertickets.com.
Tickets are $65 per person and include 12 drink tickets, food samples from each vendor, and a commemorative wine glass. VIP experience tickets are $100 and include early access at 1 p.m., 15 drink tickets, food samples from each vendor, five raffle tickets, and a commemorative wine glass.
