Albany, N.Y., May 15—Wineries, cheese producers and food manufacturers from throughout New York State will be in Albany Tuesday, May 16, for the New York Wine Industry Association’s (NYWIA) 4th Annual “Sip and Sample” tasting event co-hosted by Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning).

Tuesday’s “Sip and Sample” takes place in The Well of the Legislative Office Building from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This year’s event will feature wineries, cheese producers and other food manufacturers from the Finger Lakes, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and Central and Western New York.

The media is invited to attend. O’Mara, Palmesano and other legislators will address the attendees and highlight the contributions of the participating industries at 5:00 p.m.

NYWIA President Suzy Hayes said, "’Sip and Sample’ has become one of the favorite events for legislators and their staff because they get the chance to try wonderful New York products while meeting the producers themselves in a festive, informal setting. It is a showcase of New York's finest....the products and the people that make New York a ‘grape’ place to be."

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.

Together with O’Mara and Palmesano, this year’s “Sip and Sample” is also 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 Catharine Young (R,C,I-Olean), Senator Rich Funke (R,C,I-Fairport), Senator Pamela Helming (R,C,I-Canandaigua), Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats), and Assemblyman Gary Finch (R,C,I-Springport).