Local amateur vintners will compete in a wine-making contest at the Italian-American festival later this month. While he’s not entering his wine, contest organizer Luigi Barbato is among those who buy or grow grapes and make wine at home. Northeast Produce in Plainville sponsors the contest and has presses that can mash grapes for those without equipment at home. Barbato said he uses the company’s California grapes.

The festival is scheduled for July 26, 27 and 28 on Center Street. Homemade wine will be judged and prizes awarded on July 27, a Saturday, at 2 p.m. The contest, in its 12th year, gets between 40 and 50 entries from locals. Most age their wine about a year, according to Barbato. Grapes bought in the fall are mashed and the juice fermented in a glass jug or steel container.