From Afton to Wintergreen, festival showcases Virginia wines What's the saying? Wine, women and . . . chocolate?

For many folks, a sip of fragrant wine and a rich bit of chocolate are an automatic slice of heaven. Those are the folks for whom this weekend was made: The Chocolate Festival takes place Saturday, and the James River Wine Festival is Saturday and Sunday.

Twenty-five Virginia wineries and their wares will be showcased at the annual event. "You can literally sample as much as you want," says festival coordinator Ernie Ferguson.

The James River Wine Festival began 17 years ago on Brown's Island, then spent some time at The Boulders and now is at Innsbrook. Some of the wineries have taken part all 17 years.

Each winery has a tent and offers a half dozen to a dozen types of wine for sampling, which is included in the ticket price along with a wineglass.

"It's a good crowd," Ferguson says. "It's not as if we're dealing with people who are trying to see how many they can sample. They rinse out their glasses [in between sampling] and eat cheese or bread along the way."

Snack-selling vendors will be on hand, and area restaurants will be represented in tented eating areas.

The festival, which runs rain or shine, typically draws about 5,500 visitors.

Also featured will be arts and crafts along with music by Piedmont Souprize, which will perform Saturday from about 1 to 6 p.m. and Sunday from about 1 to 5 p.m. The Richmond band plays a blend of jazz, pop, old-time country and R&B.

A percentage of the proceeds benefits Diversity Thrift.

Wineries featured at the festival are: Afton Mountain Vineyards, AmRhein Wine Cellars, Barboursville Vineyards, Chateau Morrisette, Chester Gap Cellars, Cooper Vineyards, Corcoran Vineyards, Davis Valley Winery, Fabbioli Cellars, First Colony Winery, Grayhaven Winery and Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery.

Also: Horton Vineyards, Ingleside Vineyards, James River Cellars, Keswick Vineyards, Lake Anna Winery, Peaks of Otter Winery, Prince Michel Vineyards, Rebec Vineyards, Rockbridge Vineyard, Tarara Winery, Veritas Vineyard & Winery, Villa Appalaccia Winery and Wintergreen Winery.

A heads-up to festivalgoers: Ferguson says, "We're already working on the [Aug. 10] Carytown Watermelon Festival!" cmcmullen@timesdispatch.com.