LITTLE COMPTON
Call it Carolyn's Sakonnet Vineyards.
Alex and Ani, the Cranston-based jewelry maker, and president Carolyn Rafaelian completed the purchase of Sakonnet Vineyards in Little Compton in December and now the changes are beginning to show at the 170-acre site.
The name has been changed to add Rafaelian's, said general manager Cynthia Rocha.
Also new is a partnership with Russell Morin Fine Catering of Attleboro which will run the Vineyard's seasonal cafe and cater private events held on the property, said Timmy Tsmikas. The Warren native is the new vineyard chef.
He said his menu will include both light fare such as sandwiches and entrees with local seafood. Tsmikas will work with local farms and fishermen to create a farm and sea to table menu.
The cafe, which can serve about 80 to 100 people with an overflow on the deck of the vineyard store and tasting room, should open on Memorial Day weekend providing all permits are in order.
Also new will be wine flights with food pairings at the cafe, he said. Think white wines and oysters and dessert wines with sweets.
The first of a series of Farm to Table dinners wll be held from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12. The cost is $110 per person and features Sakonnet wines, cocktails, a family-style dinner and dessert. (Reserve at 888-552-7822.)
The current 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours will be extended for both the vineyard tastings ($10 for 6 wine samples), tours and cafe, said Rocha. Come June 1, tours will be held on the hour each day; and hours will extend to 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
What hasn't changed is the personnel who worked under the previous owners Earl and Susan Samson. All were retained, said Rocha.
Elaine Bernier, winemaker, and Lorraine Frank, vineyard manager, still the lead the team producing a variety of wines.
The vineyard is also still part of the Coastal Wine Trail which has its Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Market on June 22 at the Westport Fairground in Massachusetts.
Still to come for Carolyn's Sakonnet Vineyards: Thursday Night Music events will begin in June at the Vineyard at 162 West Main Rd., (401) 635-8486; and an updated website.