Tasting Notes: from the tasting room

Hard to believe we are just now kicking off the 'high season' after the busy winter {aka 'slow season'} we had! The line up of events all winter kept all of us bustling in the Tasting Room. The end of 2010 will mark five years for me here at JE handling the Marketing and Events {and Tasting Room- but lets be honest, Andie and staff are the daily smile, knowledge and talent behind the bar!}. I am so grateful that my role here continues to stay fresh and creative while giving me the opportunity to work with great people and continue to learn more about this fascinating industry.

In my mind, we took it up a notch on the events side this year. The tasting room staff and I came up with new formats to share our wine knowledge and offer a little something for everyone. We started the year with four intimate and informative Flight Nights and food pairing with Jon teaching us more what makes each vintage unique within the chosen varietal, to the DARK and Decadent {our Port and Chocolate} Valentines weekend tradition, to the sold out success of Blues in the Barrel Room, our annual Open Cellar and Winemakers Dinner along with Kick the Vintage and Pre-Release events in between. We think we may be on to a great combination... Winters in New England leave people longing for an excuse to have a glass of wine by the fire and we love to host them!

Is there any event you would like to see here at the winery? Another Wine 101 course, cooking demonstrations, more wine dinners? Be sure to let me know and perhaps we will add it to our line up!

Now May has arrived and the birds are chirping, the vines are popping and the gardens are growing more colorful by the day. This high season we are bringing back our signature events {Spring Festival, Harvest Festival, Summer Nights and our annual Jonathan Edwards Concert} but adding even more {Lobster Bake and Ben Taylor in Concert!} Stay tuned for our full music line up for Festivals and Music Series along with our new Sunday Wine Down in July and August! We think the best kept secret at Jonathan Edwards Winery is sunset on the stone patio. What better way to spend your summer Sunday nights than with a glass of wine, facing west and watching the sun sink below the tree line on our Stone Patio? Instead of closing at five, every Sunday in July and August we will have acoustic music from 4 t0 7PM and our new outside bar/ bistro seating in full swing!

Among other new updates from my corner of the winery---our Jed Reds wine club, our web and social media changes, an active e-newletter On the Vine keeping everyone informed of events around the region and a booked solid calendar of weddings and private events. Be sure join us on Facebook and check our blog for weekly updates on the latest events and information. We finally fully embraced the cyber community in January and already nearing 1000 new friends with nearly 900 to date and more joining weekly. We love the ease of communicating up-to-the-minute news on events and seeing the photos and feedback of all kinds posted by our friends... ah, the power of the internet. Thank you for being a part of our community- here at the winery, on line, throughout New England and beyond.

We hope to see you at the Spring Festival June 5&6th!

Cheers!

Erica Cyr

erica@jedwardswinery.com

beautiful JE images in Spring.

There are so many talented photographers in Connecticut. Carla Ten Eyck is most definitely one of them. She has a way of making people laugh, relax, and emote beautifully for fun, natural images. As the principal in a very busy photography studio- her sense of humor and the ability to bring out the creativity in people makes her a natural teacher amongst her colleagues....

Here are a few beautiful detail images of the winery taken during an engagement shoot with the delightful, Joe and Erin. Check out her full post here.

JE loves Ocean House { + photo booths}

Simply had to post some of the out takes from Josh Behan's photo booth for a party we threw last Sunday for our new friends and partners, Ocean House of Watch Hill, Rhode Island.

To say we are thrilled to be working Ocean House is an understatement. Their description is just a flavor of what a treasure this five star resort is in our own backyard. They open end of May and from the gorgeous East Beach, the wrap around porch, cafe's and beachfront eateries and world class accommodations- it will be a welcome addition to our community and most definitely worth a visit on your next trip this way.

Perched high on the bluffs of Watch Hill, Rhode Island, the reopening of the Ocean House is a rebirth of the last iconic New England seaside resort. The Ocean House has been meticulously reconstructed to pay tribute to its storied past and offer exceptional personal experiences for guests, members and residents. The Ocean House's celebrated hotel and residential accommodations, uncompromising service, beachfront location, and world-class amenities pay homage to New England's golden age of hospitality with timeless elegance and renewed civility.

When they asked to be the location for some of their many higher end offsite events and create a private label for their wine, we jumped at the chance. Before the high season kicked off for everyone, we thought a thank you party was in order. The celebration was complete with live music, barrel sampling and exquisite food provided by Up River Cafe and a fun photo booth to boot....

Now to our second love. Josh Behan is one of the most talented, modest and likable photographers in the region. His photography is fresh& photojournalistic with beautiful composition and a sense of humor. We are thrilled Josh has agreed to come to the Sunday of Spring Festival (June 6) to offer this up to all festival goers. Go ahead, you know you look good in a boa.

earth day.

Click to enlarge for details!

Shipping to more states!

Now more than ever we are reducing shipping costs ($12 to ship and if you order a case on line- shipping is free) and expanding our list of states we can legally ship to. This month we welcomed Florida, Massachusetts and New York to our list! Be sure to call the winery if you have any questions and to place your order!

Ethan Zohn {Survivor Africa Winner} comes to JE on May 6th!

You may recognize Ethan Zohn as a true survivor. As the reality show Survivor Africa winner and later as a cancer survivor, Ethan used his one million dollar prize to help others become survivors, too. He is a true advocate for change and how each of us can make a difference whether abroad or in our own backyard.

Grassroot Soccer, a program co-founded by Ethan Zohn with his winnings teaches AIDS awareness in Africa through the game of soccer. Grassroot Soccer is built upon the principle that kids learn best from people they respect. GRS educators are professional soccer players, coaches and teachers- all role models in their communities.

With a comparable mission, tireless spirit and a willingness to put this cause ahead of so much else- Sabrina Buehler of North Stonington has been an integral part of the Chickumbuso Project in Zambia. Learn more about this project by watching this short video.

In 2007, Grassroot Soccer organization paid a visit to the Chickumbuso project in Zambia. The collaborative work underscored that while their initiatives are independent of each other, their goals and dedication to AIDS education is the same. Currently, there is a girls Grassroot Soccer team proudly wearing a North Stoningtons Wheeler Middle School uniforms!

Sabrina and her husband Paul will be biking cross country to raise funds for a well for a community field in the slum of Ng'ombe, where the team practices twice a week.

Ethan has generously agreed to come and speak to 'kick off' the fundraising for such an important cause.

Come and join us here at Jonathan Edwards Winery for a meet and greet with Ethan Zohn from 5:30-7PM (small bites and cash bar provided) and continue on to Wheeler High School to hear his full presentation. Donations are being accepted at the high school to participate in the full presentation.

Tickets for the winery meet and greet are limited and $25. All proceeds go to the Buehlers fundraising efforts for their cross country ride. Call the winery to reserve your tickets today!

Yes, we are open!

We have gotten several calls the past few days asking if we are open. Yes, we are open (Easter Sunday, too!) Sadly, given this weeks rain and flooding, the very small and charming town of North Stonington has been heavily hit. A town favorite and true community landmark, Watermark Cafe has suffered fairly significant damage. The bridges in town have been closed due to overflowing banks and compromised roads from the rushing waters.

That said, we have thankfully been spared here on the Hill and welcome visitors. We have signs posted for the detour to the winery.

Detour: Off of 95N (Exit 92) you are heading westbound on Route 2. Skip the Main Street turn (that takes you through town) and continue 2.5 miles towards the Rt 201 intersection. As you approach the intersection, you will see Ryder Road. Take the sharp right and follow Ryder Road to the end. A quick right/left jog in the road will take you to Chester Maine Road. We are at the top of the hill.

Tasting Notes: from the road {Rhode Island}

Let me start by saying “Ok Mother Nature!”

I couldn’t rightfully start a blog entry today without saying something to the effect. There are many out there with an unfortunate situation. Our hearts go out to you. Having said that, the winery is open and Mark and I are on the road.

Let’s backtrack a tiny bit. Mark Scherer and myself, Susan Denice are the core team who handle distribution. Many of us at the winery and beyond, spread the good word about the experience and wines at Jonathan Edwards Winery. To that, we say thank you.

So, On the Road in Rhode Island...

Spring is here, and the number one thing restaurants are doing is revamping their menus from winter warmers to summer coolers. This includes the wine list! I have a lot of fun showing up on the doors of hundreds with good news about Connecticut wines. The best feeling is when I meet someone who says “oh I have been to your place, it’s fantastic!”

Planning a wine list for me is like a kid in a candy shop. I have the luxury of helping a few restaurants in RI with their list, and making sure there is a bit of everything their customers need. Our wines serve many purposes. Our subtle to vibrant Estate grown whites compliment fish, and your favorite poultry dish, and our Napa Valley reds bring out all the beauty of a duck or steak dish. Rhode Island is one of those states that really prides itself on its culinary expertise. We have some of the best restaurants on the East Coast. It is a pleasure to do business with such creative minds.

One thing I have noticed in the wine industry in RI is how establishments are educating their staff more on wines and better assisting the consumer to find what they may be looking for. Wine education classes are also quickly becoming “in vogue”, and can range from “How to Read a Wine Label and Shop for Wine” to “Napa Valley Cabernets of 2004”. Check out if your favorite wine shop offers these and find a seminar that fits you. The more you know, the less stressful it becomes, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. That’s what were here for!

Now… things to look forward to on the road. We have some great new partnerships in Rhode Island and I can’t keep them back anymore. We have joined forces with the newly renovated Ocean House in Watch Hill. Not only do they have an amazing staff and location- they have a carefully selected and edited wine list! Look forward to a Napatree Point Chardonnay and Zinfandel as the house wine private labeled and made by Jon himself. Also you will find about six JE Wines on the list as a staple for all four dining areas of the hotel. Look for our patio pourings and more all summer long...

Second and third, which almost go hand in hand, is The International Tennis Hall of Fame and Russel Morins Fine Catering. We have been a two- year sponsor of the Champions Cup in Newport, and have signed onto three years for the Campbells Tournament. We look forward to increasing our Newport clientele this year to tennis lovers from all over the world and enjoying a match or two while we’re at it. With this comes the great company of Russell Morin who has done all of the catering for the Tennis Hall of Fame and throughout the region, now will cater events here at the winery. Now that’s taking things full circle! One way or another you will be at a Newport fundraiser, enjoying a tennis match, or attending a wedding and Jonathan Edwards Wines will be there for you.

Thanks to all my customers for making Rhode Island such a great state to work in. Please let us know where your favorite place to enjoy wine is, and I will take a drive and pay them a visit. Stay dry, Rhode Island!

Susan Denice

{susan.denice@gmail.com}