Invites you on an Autumn Tour, Tasting & Lunch at Jonathan Edwards Winery Sunday, November 11th, 2012
Jonathan Edwards Winery Jonathan Edwards Winery is located in a beautifully renovated New England dairy barn in the quaint village of North Stonington, Connecticut. Nestled on a hilltop among 48 acres of magnificent vineyards, Jonathan Edwards offers scenery, serenity and great wines. Working with family farmers in Napa Valley, California and having vineyards in its home base in Connecticut, Jonathan Edwards showcases the best of both coasts. It has the unique opportunity to highlight varietals that thrive in the specific climate and soil of each region. From its bright estate-grown whites to bold and smooth California reds, Jonathan Edwards stands as one of the best wineries in New England. This experience welcomes you to Jonathan Edward s classic New England style and state-of-the-art winery for a tailored and insider s view into its history, wines and owner, in a warm, relaxing atmosphere.
About Winemaker Jonathan Edwards Jonathan Edwards began his training in Napa Valley, California by working for Arroyo Vineyards. Jon is originally from Massachusetts, so when the estate in Connecticut became available it was the perfect opportunity for him to combine his love of the East and West coasts. If Jonathan was ever going to start his own winery, this was the perfect opportunity. The current Connecticut property was originally a 400-acre dairy farm. The property was converted into a winery in the early 1980s under the name Crosswoods Vineyards. It was sold in the late 1980s and fell in to disrepair. The vineyard sat dormant for a full decade until Edwards purchased it in January 2000. That year he began harvesting grapes and the winemaking process. Currently Jonathan Edwards Winery has 50 acres and about 23 of those are planted. Jonathan s estate became a boutique winery, producing between 9,000-10,000 cases per year. Open to the public since May 2002, Jonathan and his staff love sharing their passion for wine with the locals. Jonathan also works with 5 farmer families in the Napa Valley to bring Napa Valley wine here to the East Coast. Shipping grapes from California would damage the fruit and therefore the wine s integrity not to mention the effect any delays in shipping could have on the freshness of fruit. So, Jonathan and his father travel to Napa to oversee the harvest of the 5 vineyard farms. He then begins the press and fermentation there to stabilize the wine. The juice is then brought back east in refrigerated trucks. From there, all barrel aging, bottling and distribution is carried out from the Connecticut estate. While this is a painstaking process, it is one on which Jonathan does not compromise. The quality of his wines & the experience you have when enjoying them are of utmost importance to him. We hope you will join us & Jonathan to share in his passion for wine.
Your Autumn Experience at Jonathan Edwards The 6-hour day includes: Round-trip transportation aboard an executive motor coach provided by Arrow Prestige Limo & Coach Transportaion. Accompanied by a fellow wine lover from The Savory Grape, we will meet at 10 AM, at a Park & Ride (located at 3116 South County Trail, East Greenwich, RI), to board the coach. To ensure everyone is hydrated throughout the day, we will have more than enough chilled water for our ride to and from the winery. The 1-hour journey will have us arrive at 11 AM at Jonathan Edwards, where we will meet with Winemaker Jonathan Edwards, the winery s namesake himself. Jonathan will take us on an private tour of the vineyard. We will start by sipping wine while we are taken around the Pinot Gris fields. Here, Jonathan will share his expertise about the special microclimate they have, the soil and growing their precious fruit. We will then taste Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay while visiting the vineyards where these grapes are grown. After taking in the beauty of the vineyards, we ll retreat inside for exclusive barrel tastings. It s not everyday that Jonathan shares barrel samples, so this is sure to be a unique perspective. Jonathan will share what happens after growing the grapes and the winery s connection to Napa Valley. In the same room we will relax among the barrels and enjoy lunch prepared by Chef David Dadekian of Eat Drink RI (eatdrinkri.com), created to share information about the vibrant and friendly food community in the Rhode Island area. Chef Dadekian will pair the day s dishes, including some prepared with meat from Blackbird Farms, with JE wines. We will sample through JE wines paired with each lunch course. Chef Dadekian is a writer, private chef, cooking instructor, photographer of food and self proclaimed food and wine fanatic. Throughout the day, you will have the opportunity to sample 10-12 JE wines. After lunch you ll have time to wander about, taking in the scenery or shopping. Our exciting day will come to a close as we take our coach for a relaxing ride back home. Each person will also receive a Jonathan Edwards wine glass and Savory Affair canvas tote bag by which to remember the day and experience.
Booking Details The cost per person is $135. Payment must be made in full upon booking your reservation. Space is limited. All reservations are nonrefundable but are transferable. Reservations will be accepted through November 1st. For questions or to book a reservation, please contact Sabrina Solares-Hand at 401-441-3464 or sabrina@thesavoryaffair.com. All correspondence and booking communications for the experience will occur between you and Sabrina Solares-Hand. We look forward to a wonderful experience with you. Please note: To fully enjoy your experience at Jonathan Edwards Winery, we ask that you wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Should it rain or snow, please be prepared with umbrellas, appropriate footwear and outerwear as the trip will not be rescheduled due to inclement weather.