As in years past, the Lake Oswego Wine Walk features wine tasting at downtown businesses, like here at Accessories From the Heart.

Organizers have put together the third annual Lake Oswego Wine Walk for Saturday, October 3 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., hoping it proves to be better than ever.

1. There are more tickets this year. The first year sold out at 450. Last year’s 500 tickets were all sold by event time. This year 600 advance tickets at $35 each are available, but judging on the event’s popularity, you’d be wise to purchase yours now. Tickets include a souvenir glass, wine yolk, eight tastes and a map directing you to participating businesses.

2. The tradition of offering domestic as well as international wines will continue. That variety is one of the things that committee member, Lanette Bernards, thinks sets the Lake Oswego Wine Walk apart from others. “We try to balance our offerings with what people in Lake Oswego and the Portland metro area like to drink,” she explains, which means that attendees will have lots to choose from.

Soletta, a Shoe Boutique, has also been a popular wine tasting stop on the Lake Oswego Wine Walk.

Twenty five different downtown locations, all within walking distance, will be hosting tastings, poured by someone-in-the-know who can add to your enjoyment with a little explanation of what you’re drinking.

3. Art and music pair well with wine so expect to find it. The blues and R&B band, Kode Bluuz will be featured at 5:15 p.m. Local artists will be either displaying their work and/or creating it en plein air so you can sip and watch. Oh, and there’s food too—catered nibbles provided by local restaurants.

4. Some of the proceeds will benefit charity. Ten percent of each ticket sale will go towards ¡Salud!, an organization working to provide access to health care for Oregon’s seasonal vineyard workers and their families. “We like to say we’re helping the people who pick the grapes,” says Bernards.

5. It’s got something for everyone—the casual wine drinker as well as the aficionado. “People just think it’s a lot of fun,” explains Bernard, “but there are also some heavy duty connoisseurs who come to taste and are busy scoping out what to try.” Sounds like you can’t go wrong.

The Lake Oswego Wine Walk is set for Saturday, October 3, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in downtown Lake Oswego. Tickets are available online.

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