Chatham-Kent's first ever wine festival will have a distinctly local flavour.
The "Grapes to Glass" event is being held at The Kent 1874 in Chatham from 5pm-10pm Saturday evening and will feature wines from the Lake Erie North Shore region.
Organizer Alysson Storey says the momentum has been building to this point for a while now.
"It has really come up in amazing ways over the last several years," says Storey. "I think maybe it just took some time for this region to become a little more well-known in terms of the excellent wines we have growing."
Storey says a renewed focus on "buy local" and the popularity of craft beer festivals also get some credit for paving the way.
"We have so many craft breweries in the region and the same thing is happening with our local wineries," says Storey. "I think it's just a logical area to focus on next because it's not just for our enjoyment, but it's also creating economic development -- I think it's a win-win for everybody."
Storey says they will be featuring eight different wineries from across the Lake Erie North Shore region, which includes a stretch of land from Amherstburg in the southwest all the way up to just east of St. Thomas.
The event will also feature several local dishes that will be paired specifically with the wines that are being served.
"It's really amazing what pairing specific wines and foods can do to bring out and enhance the flavours of both the food and the wine," says Storey. "The chefs will be using local ingredients wherever they can for every single dish."
Storey says tickets are $35 in advance, and $40 at the door, but cautions that they may sell out, so she's encouraging people to buy their tickets beforehand if they're planning to attend.
Click here to find more information on how to purchase tickets.
