KIRKLAND, Washington-- June 25, 2007 --- The first annual Kirkland Uncorked wine, food and art festival will take place July 13-15, 2007, featuring more than 30 Washington wineries, along the city's picturesque waterfront.

An expansion of the popular "Summerfest" art and wine festival held at Marina Park for the past 15 years, Kirkland Uncorked will attract visitors from an expansive group of art collectors, wine enthusiasts and food lovers of all ages from across the state of Washington.

"Kirkland has a long, successful history of celebrating lakeside festivals featuring delectable local food and wines arts and crafts and fun for the kids," says Kirkland Mayor James Lauinger. "We are excited that Kirkland Uncorked will continue this tradition with another great family weekend at the city's beautiful Marina Park!"

For wine lovers, Kirkland Uncorked will include: a Wine Garden sponsored by the Washington State Wine Commission featuring tasting opportunities from over 30 of Washington's finest Wineries. Wine education classes will help attendees deepen their understanding and enjoyment of a variety of wines, with tips on discerning appearance, bouquet, taste and aftertaste. A wine shop will also be set up on location featuring wines for purchase at special festival prices.

"Kirkland Uncorked is a perfect opportunity to experience Washington wines in a friendly, fun environment," says Washington Wine Commission Executive Director Robin Pollard. "The Washington Wine Commission is pleased to partner with Kirkland and the Kirkland Arts Council to showcase the best of wines and arts of the Northwest."

For art lovers, an art gallery will display an eclectic collection of works of some of the area's most talented artists for viewing and purchase. Artists in action will also be working throughout the weekend along Kirkland's beautiful shoreline, creating original art inspired by the event and waterfront in oil, watercolor, clay and fabric. Attendees can interact with the artists while viewing art in the making. Art completed during the weekend will be auctioned off as part of a "Fresh Art" auction on Sunday afternoon.

If food is your passion, chefs and restaurants from across the Puget Sound area will offer food samplings, cooking and grilling demonstrations, a grilling competition and classes on food and wine pairing, so attendees can learn how to pair wine and food, heightening their enjoyment of both.

Live musical entertainment throughout the day and lifestyle vignettes while highlight trends in indoor and outdoor home decor. A children's area, open to children of all ages, will include cider and juice tasting; zucchini and summer squash art, car decorating and racing, and more.

For more details, visit www.kirklanduncorked.com. It includes information on advance ticket purchase locations, guest appearances, wine information, the festival program, sponsorship opportunities and valuable visitor's information for those coming to Kirkland to enjoy the entire event. The official program for the event will be published in the June edition of Seattle Homes & Lifestyles and will also be available at various locations throughout the Puget Sound area.

About Kirkland Uncorked: Kirkland Uncorked will take place at Marina Park, 25 Lakeshore Plaza,. Hours are Friday, July 13, 5pm-11pm (Wine Garden Only); Saturday, July 14, 11am-11pm; and Sunday, July 15, 11am-11pm. Festival admission is free; Wine Garden admission, restricted to visitors over 21, with a valid ID is $20 in advance or $25 at the entrance and includes a souvenir tasting glass and tickets for five wine tastings and/ or food samplings.

About Kirkland: The City of Kirkland lies ten miles east of Seattle on the picturesque shores of Lake Washington and 22 miles north of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Visitors and residents enjoy fantastic views of the Seattle skyline, the Olympic Mountains and Lake Washington. A waterfront city, with unique shops, world class art galleries and an eclectic array of taste pleasing restaurants, Kirkland provides a cool oasis from the summer heat and a warm and charming getaway from the winters chill. Explore Kirkland and you will explore the best of Washington.

For Kirkland Uncorked event breakdown click here.


EVENT: First Annual Kirkland Uncorked Wine Festival

DATE: July 13?15, 2007

TIME: Friday, July 13, 5pm-11pm;
Saturday, July 14, 11am-11pm;
Sunday, July 15, 11am-11pm

PLACE: Kirkland Marina Park (25 Lakeshore Plaza, Kirkland, WA)

GENERAL ADMISSION: Free

WINE GARDEN ADMISSION: $20 in advance or $25 at the entrance.
Price includes a souvenir tasting glass and five wine tasting and/or food sampling tickets.(Restricted to 21+ with a valid ID)

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.kirklanduncorked.com

WHAT'S HAPPENING: ?Kirkland Uncorked? is a three-day festival of wine, art, and food presented by the City of Kirkland and various sponsors. The festival will offer a showcase of Washington's best wine, art and food, guaranteed to indulge the senses. Highlights include:

WINE
· Wine Garden - Sponsored by the Washington State Wine Commission, the garden will feature tasting opportunities of Washington's finest wines from more than 30 Washington Wineries.

· Wine Education Classes - Attendees will learn to discern appearance, bouquet, taste and aftertaste to deepen their understanding and enjoyment of a variety of wines.

· Wine Shop - Wine from Washington wineries will be displayed and available for purchase at special festival prices.

ART
· Art Gallery - An eclectic display of art by some of the area?s most talented artists will be showcased in a gallery-like setting in the Wine Garden for viewing and purchase.

· Artists In Action - Artists working in oil, watercolor, clay and fabric will create original art inspired by the event and its waterfront location. Guests can visit with artists as they work. Completed pieces will be auctioned off Sunday afternoon during the "Fresh Art" Auction.

· Fresh Art Auction - Art created over the weekend will be featured and available for bid and purchase on Sunday afternoon.

FOOD
· Food Sampling - Area restaurants will offer food sampling throughout the day.

· Cooking and Grilling Demonstrations - Chefs will demonstrate food preparation and cooking techniques for a variety of fun and unique recipes.

· Food and wine pairing - Visitors will learn how to pair wine and food, to heighten their enjoyment of both.
· Grilling Competition - Participating chefs will compete for prizes and accolades.

and MORE
· Lifestyle - lifestyle vignettes highlighting trends in indoor and outdoor home design will take place during the day.

· Music - Two music stages will feature continuous entertainment throughout the day.

· Family Area - Open to children of all ages, activities include: cider and juice tasting; zucchini and summer squash art, car decorating and racing, and more.

About Kirkland Uncorked: Kirkland Uncorked will take place at Marina Park, 25 Lakeshore Plaza,. Hours are Friday, July 13, 5pm-11pm (Wine Garden Only); Saturday, July 14, 11am-11pm; and Sunday, July 15, 11am-11pm. Festival admission is free; Wine Garden admission, restricted to visitors over 21, with a valid ID,: is $20 in advance or $25 at the entrance and includes a souvenir tasting glass and tickets for five wine tastings and/ or food samplings.

About Kirkland: The City of Kirkland lies ten miles east of Seattle on the picturesque shores of Lake Washington and 22 miles north of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Visitors and residents enjoy fantastic views of the Seattle skyline, the Olympic Mountains and Lake Washington. A waterfront city, with unique shops, world class art galleries and an eclectic array of taste pleasing restaurants, Kirkland provides a cool oasis from the summer heat and a warm and charming getaway from the winters chill. Explore Kirkland and you will explore the best of Washington.

The official program for the event can be found in the June issue of Seattle Homes & Lifestyles and locations throughout the Puget Sound area. A downloadable version is available at www.kirklanduncorked.com