Up until last year, I’ve never been to a vineyard.
I grew up in the Philippines, a warm tropical country. We grow mangoes, not grapes.
But last year I went to a winery in Tuscany, Italy and I became mesmerized with the vineyards: the sprawling lands, the grapevines evenly lined up in parallel rows, the greens and the golden browns against a clear blue sky. I know that there are several vineyards in New England (does Martha’s Vineyard count?) but I haven’t explored enough. Last week, I was able to check out Sakonnet Vineyard in Little Compton, Rhode Island.
it was beautiful
We were there for the Coastal Wine Trail, which stretches from Cape Cod and the Islands through the South Coast of Massachusetts, Coastal Rhode Island and Coastal Connecticut. There was a giant tent in the middle of the Sakonnet Vineyard grounds, and it was filled with vendors for food and wine.
When I’m faced with numerous tastings (like in Taste of the Nation or a buffet), I have a strategy: the first thing I do is go around and survey the scene so I can decide what I want to eat and drink. I did the same for the Coastal Wine Fest, and took lots of pictures too.
okay I lied - the first thing I did was taste some blush wine from Truro Vineyards (part of their Lighthouse wine series, so the bottle was shaped like a lighthouse)
caprese bites from Narragansett Creamery
later on I bought some of their Pirate Spread - made with feta, sun dried tomatoes, rosemary and cayenne pepper
there some oysters but I'm allergic to them (booo...)
there were lots of treats for me: chocolate covered blueberries and cranberries
raspeberry chocolate jam
and chocolate goat cheese!
I tried three different kinds of goat cheese from Westfield Farm: chocolate, blue, and classic (guess which one I ended up buying)
the canapes of smoked bluefish with curried pickled vegetables...
... went nicely with the white merlot from Langworthy Farm (a white merlot is new to me, it was so light and refreshing)
I tried my first johnny cake, made on the spot...
... and I liked it!
my favorite bite of the day: steak and egg patties from Castle Hill
ceviche cones (with popcorn!) from Fluke wine bar
creamy cloumage from Shy Brothers (I love their tiny hannahbell cheese too)
of course we couldn't leave without trying Sakonnet wine
My friends and I had a great time at the Coastal Wine fest – we had some incredible bites of food and lots of sips of wine. And the weather that day was perfect: warm with a cool breeze. Days like this are what makes summers in New England so wonderful.
even the view from the parking lot was pretty
Have you every been to a New England vineyard? And have you ever had a white merlot?
Hi! I’m Bianca Garcia. I love food, running, yoga, sangria, and my job. I'm an advertising professional, social media enthusiast, blogger, freelance writer, and obsessive list-maker. I think about dessert constantly. 
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I have been to a New England vineyard, beautiful! And I have tried that white Merlot. I went to that festival when it was held at Sakonnet 2 years ago, and it was a fabulous day. I hope you got to try my favorite local winery, Travessia wine!
Bianca Garcia replied July 7th, 2011 at 9:44 am
Hi Meghan, yup I stopped by the Travessia booth! I really liked their Vidal Blanc.
Now I feel like making chocolate goat cheese. I’ve already had goat cheese truffles on the brain for a while. So many goat cheese-chocolate combinations…
Those scenery shots are simply breathtaking. I am really intrigued by the chocolate goat cheese.
I love going to different vineyards. That looks like such a fun event with all the food and wine!
I love to visit the vineyards in MA. My husband’s favorite is Nashoba Valley Winery. Have you been there yet?? They have a great tasting room and restaurant!
I’ve been to Diamond Hill in Rhode Island and I want to try the Cape Cod wineries (especially Truro!)
I went to Sakonnet a couple years ago and LOVED it! This festival looks like it was amazing. I’m headed to Upstate NY next week and am hoping to hit up a vineyard or two :)
I’ve never heard of this and now I’m sad I missed it! I love Capri’s chocolate goat cheese. I will go back to Tuscany with you anytime :)
What a great trip! I still haven’t been to any New England wineries (though I’ve had a lot of MA and RI wine!). I did just go wine tasting in Long Island, which was a blast. Good to know there are great options on this coast!
Beautiful pictures! I’ve never been to a winery, but I’m eager to visit one. That white merlot sounds interesting too!
I haven’t been to a vineyard in MA but there is nothing better than a day of sipping and nibbling in the sun!
Looks like fun! I love going to wineries, although I don’t know too much about it. I sorta do the same thing as you at the buffet…. I go around and try a single bite of everything that looks interesting first, then get more of what I like ;)
I’ve been to a winery in RI before – I love going and tasting new wines. This looks like a great event! I love trying new foods and wine!
Bianca, it’s my first visit to your site and now I’m homesick, but in a good way. We’re currently living in Arizona, but are originally from RI.
Years ago we went to a wedding at Sakonnet and it was absolutely beautiful.
Summer in New England with great food – one of the absolute best places to be!
No and No…but this will all change soon. Great photos, my salivating progressed after each photo. How’d the chocolate goat cheese taste?
Bianca this looks like such fun, I have to check it out…I love all the snacks they serve to keep you from getting too sloshed! I was a Merlot drinker exclusively for years until it started giving me headaches…so I need to try the white merlot.
What an AWESOME event! I would have eaten myself into an oblivion.
And Martha’s Vineyard totally counts, if you ask me!
What a fun mini trip! And chocolate goat cheese?!? Yes please :)
Oh gosh, I’m thinking I need to visit there!
Ooh. I definitely need some of that pirate spread. Looks like a gorgeous day and a fabulous event!
I’ve lived in New England for 10 years and have not been to the wineries out here! This post really has me motivated to get out there and check ’em out. I am a wine girl- I love it over beer, etc… growing up in Cali we’re of course surrounded by vineyards so every time I go home we end up doing some kind of vineyard/winery hopping but I have been wanting for a while to check out the East Coast ones as well.
Your photos and description definitely have me checking my calendar for some free time to do this!