YAKIMA, Wash. -- This year, the organizers of the eighth annual Sunshine & Wine event at State Fair Park weren't satisfied with just hosting an all-you-can-drink-and-eat festival of fine wine and food. So they're breaking out the bubbly in the form of a tent devoted strictly to sparkling wines and decadent chocolate.

And why not celebrate?

After all, Sunshine & Wine serves as the capstone to the Washington State Wine Competition -- which means that while you're perusing the pours from more than 40 Washington wineries during Saturday's event, you should be sure to look for bottles boasting medals.

Accompanying the wines will be an assortment of equally sinful snacks from regional restaurants and chefs -- and did we mention there's a sparkling wine and chocolate tent?

Then after plenty of toasting -- and getting a little toasty -- the party moves from under the oak trees into the Agriculture Building for the live auction. Proceeds benefit the ongoing renovation of State Fair Park buildings and scholarships for Yakima Valley Community College's Vineyard and Winery Technology Program.

Before the live auction, Sunshine & Wine committee chairman David Lowe of Wineglass Cellars in Zillah will announce this year's Washington State Wine Competition winners. Now in its 28th year, it's the oldest vino contest devoted strictly to wines from Washington.

Last year's big winner was Tsillan Cellars from Lake Chelan, which annually enters the competition. Tsillan's 2005 estate syrah won Best of Show, the Governor's Award for Best Red, the Ruth Anglin Award for Best Syrah and a double gold medal.

"We feel it's important to be represented at the state competitions and be recognized in the state," says Tsillan Cellars general manager Ken Cain.

The winery, located in the newly recognized Lake Chelan American Viticultural Area, entered three more wines this year and will be pouring at Sunshine & Wine; fingers are crossed it'll be from medal-adorned bottles.

Also pouring Saturday is another regular participant and multiple medal-winner, Prosser's Thurston Wolfe winery, which entered six or seven wines this year.

"Hopefully a couple of our wines will do reasonably well," says winemaker Wade Wolfe.

Wolfe's been a judge for the Washington State Wine Competition on and off since its inception. This year, 20 judges (five more than last year) were charged with the duty of sipping -- and spitting -- 406 wines from 94 wineries.

The tastings, held last Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m. and lasting until late afternoon, are done blind, which means the judges do not know whose wine they're sampling.

"Not all of it is the most exciting thing in the world," Wolfe says about the palate-pounding judging process. "But you get an idea of what styles of wine are successful; you get an idea about the direction and trends of the industry. It's of value to the winemaker to have this perspective."

After all is said, scored and drank, the worthy wines are awarded medals, not to mention bragging rights as some of the best that Washington's booming wine industry has to offer.

"The wines get better and better every year," confirms Wolfe.

If you go

WHAT: Sunshine & Wine.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Wines from more than 40 Washington wineries, food from regional restaurants and chefs, a sparkling wine and chocolate tent, live music and silent and live auctions. This year, tropical attire is encouraged for this day in wine paradise.

WHEN: 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday.

WHERE: State Fair Park, 1301 S. Fair Ave.

HOW MUCH: Tickets cost $75 and include all food and wine.

INFO: Call 509-248-7160 or visit www.sunshineandwine.com.