For those who love great wine and food with some Eastside flavor, the 2010 Kirkland Uncorked will take place July 16-18. One of the only summer festivals to take place on the shores of Lake Washington, at Marina Park in downtown Kirkland, the annual event will feature the Tasting Garden, grilling demonstrations, Kirkland Uncorked artist promenade, live music and even a car show. The Lake Washington views and laid back feel of downtown Kirkland allows Northwesterners to truly drink, eat and be merry.

Drink

The main attraction for Uncorked is the wine. More than 650 wineries in Washington State, the Uncorked Tasting Garden is unmatched in showcasing what Washington State has to offer the industry.

The Tasting Garden will feature more than 17 wineries.

Kirkland Uncorked also features a beer garden with a variety of Pyramid beers on draft including Haywire Hefeweizen, Curve Ball Blonde Ale and ThunderHead IPA.

The festival also allows consumers to take their favorites home with the Kirkland Uncorked Wine Shop, presented by Kirkland’s The Grape Choice, at special event prices. Some limited edition wines will be for sale only at Kirkland Uncorked as well. If wine and beer don’t tingle the tongue, the Kirkland Uncorked Summer Cocktail will feature mixed drinks and alcohol from some of the world’s best distilleries. Summer Cocktail will feature Mount Gay Mojitos and Three Olives/Cointreau Superior Cosmopolitans, made with top self rum from the island of Barbados.

Eat

While the wine is the main attraction for Uncorked, the food is not far behind. While tasting some of the finest wines in the Tasting Garden, patrons can also watch the Grill-offs, taste samples from some of the finest chefs in the Northwest and learn how to create great meals at home with grilling demonstrations. Featured chefs for the Grill-off are Angie Roberts of BOKA Kitchen + Bar, Danielle Custer of TASTE Restaurant & Events and Sabrina Tinsley of La Spiga.

From the Tasting Garden, festival goers can also enjoy some samples from some of the best restaurants in Kirkland and around he Sound. Here are some of the restaurants scheduled for 2010: Hector’s, Lake Washington Technical College, Anthony’s Homeport Kirkland, Corner Bistro at Courtyard by Marriott, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Padria, Sasi’s Cafe, BeachHouse Bar and Grill, George’s, Olive You, Meritage Restaurant and Bar, Lynn’s Bistro, Russell’s Dining and Bar, Bella Vita Ristorante, Brix Wine Cafe, Sweet Cakes and Lucia Italian Restaurant and Bar.

The grilling demonstration stage is dedicated to an avid supporter of the Kirkland Uncorked festival, Jodi Bardinelli, who died of cancer last December. Bardinelli played a big part from the inception of the festival in helping to recruit chefs for the grilling demonstrations and molding the festival into what it is today.

The schedule for the 2010 demonstrations:

• Friday, July 16 6-7 p.m.: Jeff Soper, Trellis

• Saturday, July 17 2-3 p.m.: Naomi Kakiuchi, NuCulinary

• Sunday, July 18 1:30-2:30 p.m.: Russell Lowell, Russell Dean Lowell Catering

• Sunday, July 18 3:30-4:30 p.m.: MOViN 92.5 Panel of Men

And be merry

But the Uncorked festival goes beyond food. Uncorked will feature live music all weekend. The music is situated so that those in the Tasting Garden can take in the tunes at the same time:

2010 Music Line-Up

Friday, July 16

• 7-8 p.m. Two Buck Chuck

• 8:30-9:45 p.m. City Knightz

Saturday, July 17

• 2-3:15 p.m. The Pop Tarts

• 3:30-4:45 p.m. The Unoriginals

• 6:30-7:45 p.m. Cody Beebe and The Crooks

• 8:15-9:30 p.m. Soul’d Out

Sunday, July 18

• 2:30-3:45 p.m. Doug Zangar Trio

• 4-5:15 p.m. Silverwood Duo

The Kirkland Uncorked Promenade, presented by Verizon, will feature art from local, regional and nationally recognized artists. Uncorked will also feature its annual boat show all three days, a car show on Sunday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and CityDog Magazine’s Cover Dog Model contest on Sunday, July 18 at noon. Kirkland Uncorked will also have a bike valet for those who want to pedal down to the festival. The Kirkland Uncorked Bike Valet is presented by KIND Snacks and Honest Tea.

Admission for the Tasting Garden is $20 for advanced and $25 for general admission at the door and both include a commemorative glass and 10 tasting tokens. There is also a $15 non-drinking designated driver admission. For advanced tickets and more information visit www.kirklanduncorked.com.