NORWICH – Hundreds of local wine connoisseurs are expected to take to the Chenango County Fairgrounds from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday to sample and purchase the products of several of New York’s best wineries during the first Chenango Wine Festival.

The event – sponsored by Upstate Wine Country of Pennsylvania – features eight New York State wineries from six different counties: Black Bear Winer of Chenango Co.; Glenora Wine Cellars of Yates Co.; Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards of Schuler Co.; Inspire Moore Winery and Vineyard of Ontario Co.; Magpie Farms of Chenango Co.; Thousand Islands Winery of Jefferson Co.; and Venditti Vineyards of Jefferson Co.

“We are featuring some of the closest (wineries) to Norwich as well as the Finger Lakes, Thousand Islands and other parts of the state,” explained Dan Tompkins, founder and partner for Upstate Wine Country.

Joining the wineries will be Fred’s Inn and Park Place with a clambake, and international foods will be offered by the Lions Club of Oxford, Nina’s Pizzeria, and Tuller’s Catering.

“While the wine tasting booths are the centerpiece of our event, they are far from the only thing at our event,” said Tompkins.