Westport Rivers Holiday Open House
By Jon Alden
Everything
Westport!
November
24, 2007
Chilly temperatures didn’t stop hundreds of
visitors from enjoying a Westport Rivers Holiday
Open House on Saturday. Brilliant sunshine and kettle fires warmed the spirit,
and Buzzards Bay brew and vineyard wine tasting warmed the soul.
Many
families looking for "something to do" over Thanksgiving Weekend came
and visited the Russell families at Westport Rivers Winery and Vineyard. This
annual event is becoming a tradition for many area families. Besides the kettle
fires and wine, free coffee from Equal Exchange and hot cocoa spread the warmth
and cheer on a very cold, late fall day.
With
temperatures in the 30’s, the hot chocolate and coffee was flying out of the Long
Acre House! Everywhere you looked a steaming cup of hot chocolate, coffee, or
hot cider was in someone’s hands, and a cheery smile on their face.
It seemed
that each hayride tour of the vineyard was full to capacity, and the waiting
lines were long, not only for hayrides, but also for wine tastings
and vineyard tours. This full day of relaxing family fun included: Westport
Rivers wine tastings - upstairs and downstairs in the
company store as well as in the winery; Buzzards Bay Brew tastings;
Giggles Kettle Corn; Shy Brothers Farm Hannabelle
Cheeses with hostess Barbara Manley; Route 66 Diner's hot sandwiches including
steak-tips, and chourico and peppers; hot cider with
cameral drizzle and whip cream, apples, and canned peaches from Dartmouth
Orchards (thanks Brian!).
Wine tours with owners Rob or Bill Russell were fascinating
and full of information from climate considerations for their grape varieties,
pruning techniques, to fermentation methods and explosive sediment removal
procedures. Wow!
There were
Vineyard hayride tours throughout the day; a talk by Dr James McBratney, beekeeper, thoroughly entertained the youngsters
and not so young; and music by Ken Richards, Steve LaValle,
and Roger Chartier kept the beat alive despite the
winter chill.
Ornament
decorating kept the kids busy, and story telling included children’s’ stories
with local author Kimberly Poulton played to a packed
audience. The Russell Gallery featured well known local artist Sarah Desjardins
who barely had a moment for herself as her postcards and prints sold briskly!
She even sold a painting or two!
The
Russell’s know how to throw a party!
www.westportrivers.com View
schedule of activities
View photo album from last year’s event
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2007 All rights reserved.