Sakonnet Vineyard Now Open Under Direction of Former Anchor and Hope Owners

Photo by David Bettencourt/Sakonnet Vineyard.

As the saying goes: When one door closes, another one opens.

Back in May, Anchor & Hope co-founders Marissa Stashenko and James Davids released a joint statement explaining the multiple challenges their business faced over the last few years, including pandemic setbacks, shipping and supply chain issues, insurance and interest rate increases and the unstable financial climate of the beverage industry. Despite their best efforts, they made the difficult decision to declare bankruptcy and terminate operations earlier that month.

“While we are heartbroken over the end of Anchor & Hope, we are also so thankful for the amazing support we received from the community in Rhode Island and throughout New England,” they said. “We want to express our gratitude to our investors, friends and family, store owners, restaurant and bar owners, and consumers of our wine for their support and we look forward to our next chapter as stewards of Sakonnet Vineyard.”

Photo by David Bettencourt/Sakonnet Vineyard.

With thirty years of winemaking experience behind them, who better to assume the management and winemaking responsibilities of the New England’s oldest vineyard? The two were thrilled to collaborate with owner Carolyn Rafaelian to launch new wines, revive the culinary legacy and implement organic and sustainable farming. Under their leadership, Davids and Stashenko have breathed new life into Sakonnet vineyard by honoring core values of agriculture, preservation and community. Davids and his team practice minimal intervention winemaking, a philosophy which relies on natural winemaking methods devoid of additives or technology. It also aims to highlight the grapes’ unique characteristics and terroir.

And best of all, the day has finally come where patrons can experience the changes for themselves. Sakonnet Vineyard’s tasting room and café are now open Thursdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“We are thrilled to welcome both locals and visitors back to the vineyard,” says Marissa Stashenko, Director of Operations at Sakonnet Vineyard. “It’s such a special property and it deserves to be enjoyed by the community. This year marks a transition for the business, and we plan to make ongoing improvements and expand our offerings throughout the season.”

Photo by David Bettencourt/Sakonnet Vineyard.

A new array of guest experiences will also be available throughout the season, including a café, guided tastings, a yoga series, a harvest festival and other culinary pop-ups. Future event packages will feature a guided tour around the property, a tasting in the barrel room and the option to book a private event in the barn.

Zachary Brisson, who joins the vineyard from the Vanderbilt in Newport, will lead the hospitality and tasting room experience, bringing with him additional experience from California’s Wine Country. Meanwhile, Chef Matt Weston, who most recently worked as executive chef at Burgundian, will be responsible for the cafe ‘s menu development. His current menu features both grab-and-go and made-to-order options, including nut-free, vegan, and gluten-free dishes. Some early to-go favorites include a cheese plate with three chef-selected cheeses, crostini and marinated olives; a charcuterie plate of chef-selected meats and cheeses, crostini, cornichon and assorted accoutrements; a smoked White Fish pate and tomato gazpacho. On the made-to-order side, patrons will enjoy selections like Moules Mariniere (blue mussels, garlic, white wine cream sauce, parsley and a grilled baguette); Flammkuchen Flatbread (Alsatian-style flatbread with crème fraiche, Gruyere cheese and caramelized onions, and bacon lardons) and a fig and prosciutto flatbread with basil pesto, shaved prosciutto, fig jam, and herbed ricotta. A kids’ menu will be available as well with options like an all-beef hot dog on a split-top brioche roll and a three cheese panini on sourdough.

To learn more about the vineyard’s new additions, visit sakonnetwine.com.