Albany, N.Y., May 4—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) and other state legislators are hosting a New York Wine Industry Association (NYWIA) “Sip and Sample” event in Albany today featuring wineries, cheese producers and other food manufacturers from the Finger Lakes, and Central and Western New York.

The lawmakers said Monday’s event is aimed at complementing ongoing efforts to promote, showcase and support products grown and made in New York State. The May 4th “Sip and Sample” is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in The Well of the Legislative Office Building. A second “Sip and Sample” is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27th. Finger Lakes pianist Barbara Anderson will be a special guest at this event.

Together with O’Mara and Palmesano, the events are jointly sponsored by the respective chairs of the Senate and Assembly Agriculture Committees, Senator Patty Ritchie (R,C,IP-Watertown) and Assemblyman Bill Magee (D-Nelson), Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua), Senator Michael Nozzolio (R-Fayette), Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I-Olean) and Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats).

The NYWIA was established in 2009 by a group of grape growers, winery owners and other industry professionals as an advocacy and public awareness and education organization.

In a joint statement, O’Mara and Palmesano said, “We’re proud to help showcase the quality of New York State winemakers, cheese producers and other food manufacturers. It’s one of our state’s great cultural and economic success stories. These industries are economic engines for a great number of rural, upstate communities. They provide thousands of good, sustainable livelihoods for thousands of New Yorkers. We’re glad to have this opportunity, together, with our legislative colleagues, to help promote these wines, locally-made cheeses and other products, and we’re grateful to the New York Wine Industry Association for their outstanding support of these showcase events in Albany.”

NYWIA Vice President Suzy Hayes said, "NYWIA is honored to help introduce New York food and wine producers and their amazing products to our New York legislators. The Sip and Sample is an excellent opportunity to bring New York farming straight into our state capital."

The following Finger Lakes wineries are participating in the “Sip and Sample” events: Atwater Estate Vineyards (Burdett); Bagley’s Poplar Ridge Vineyards (Hector); Casa Larga Vineyards & Winery (Fairport); Fox Run Vineyards (Geneva); Frontenac Point Vineyard and Estate Winery (Trumansburg); Glenora Wine Cellars (Dundee); Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards (Hector & Naples); Heron Hill Winery (Hammondsport); J.R. Dill Winery (Burdett); Lakewood Vineyards (Watkins Glen); McGregor Vineyard and Winery (Dundee); Miles Wine Cellars (Himrod); and Three Brothers Wineries & Estates (Geneva).

Wineries from Central and Western New York participating are Black Willow Winery (Burt); Owera Vineyards (Cazenovia); and Merritt Estate Winery (Forestville).

The New York Wine & Grape Foundation estimates the state’s grape, grape juice and wine industry annually generates $4.8 billion in overall economic benefits to New York.

Cheese farms, creameries and other food producers participating in the “Sip and Sample” events are Crosswinds Farm & Creamery (Ovid); F. Oliver’s Oils and Vinegars (Canandaigua); Heaven Scent Farm (Cohocton); Keeley’s Cheese Company (King Ferry); Mercer’s Dairy (Boonville); Shtayburne Farm (Rock Stream); and Sunset View Creamery (Odessa).

For more information on regional cheese farms, creameries and other producers, visit the Finger Lakes Cheese Trail at http://www.flcheesetrail.com.