Wine on the Fox Set For Saturday

The time is ripe for the fifth annual wine festival.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at in Oswego.

“This is a great kick off to the festival season,” said Michele Bergeron, the village’s community relations coordinator and planner of the event, which is put together each year with support from the village, the and the .

There will be 19 wineries, including Oswego’s own , offering tastings. Entry to the event is free and tasting costs $10 and include a souvenir glass and five tasting tickets. Additional tickets are available for $1.

“The location at Hudson Crossing Park is perfect for families to come together,” Bergeron said. “You can just buy a glass of wine and listen to the music.”

Entertainment will be provided throughout the day, with Jeff LaMarre and Kurt Schoenfielder kicking the event off at 11 a.m. The Shawn Maxwell Quartet plays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., with On the House taking over at 4 p.m. The Connexion Band will close out the evening, playing from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Local food vendors will also be on hand, Mik’s Tasty Bites will be serving up mini doughnuts and smoothies, and and will be offering some of their dishes.

Bergeron said the event was started five years ago with the idea of highlighting Fox Valley Winery and other vintners in the state.

“Illinois has great grapes,” she said.

The tasting festival has grown, with a dozen or so wineries its inaugural year.

 Other participating wineries include:

• August Hill Winery, Utica  
• Baxter’s Vineyards, Nauvoo
• Berryville Vineyards, Claremont 
• Collver Family Winery, Barry
• Fox Creek Vineyards, Olney
• Galena Cellars, Galena
• Illinois River Winery, North Utica
• Kickapoo Creek Winery, Edwards
• Lavender Crest Winery, Colona
• Mackinaw Valley Vineyard, Mackinaw
• Massbach Ridge Winery, Elizabeth
• Pheasant Hollow Winery, Whittington
• Prairie State Winery, Genoa
• Rocky Waters Vineyard, Hanover
• Vahling Vineyards, Stewardson
• Waterman Winery & Vineyard, Waterman
• Willet’s Winery and Cellar, Manito

August Hill’s J.T. Anesi promises it will be a good time.

“It might rain a little in the morning, but it should be a great day,” the seven-year employee said. Anesi’s sister and brother-in-law, Maria and Rick Mamofer, opened the winey in 1998.

“We make close to 30 wines,” Anesi said. “We usually bring 12 or 14 different wines to these festivals.”

August Hill won Best in Show at the 2010 Illinois State Fair wine competition for its cabernet franc.

The Rotary Club Of Owsego is sponsoring a designated driver tent at the festival. Those who volunteer to be the designated driver for their group will get a special wristband and free soda and water, according to Bergeron.

For more information, visit www.wineonthefox.com.