
Little Compton’s Sakonnet Vineyard, a Rhode Island landmark and New England’s oldest vineyard, reopened for tours and tastes. James Davids and Marissa Stashenko, founders of Rumford-based Anchor & Hope, assumed the management and winemaking responsibilities at the historic vineyard in late May and will collaborate with owner Carolyn Rafaelian to launch new wines, revive the culinary legacy and implement organic and sustainable farming. Davids and Stashenko bring 30 years of experience in winemaking. Davids and his team practice minimal intervention winemaking, a philosophy through which winemakers use natural methods to make wine without additives or technology to showcase the unique characteristics of the grapes and the terroir in which they were grown. Estate wines, made from grapes grown on the property, will be available on-site and at select restaurant and retail locations, while non-estate blends will be widely distributed throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts and nearby states.
- Marissa Stashenko and James David, Founders of Rumford-based Anchor & Hope, assumed the management and winemaking responsibilities for Sakonnet Vineyard.
- Owned by Carolyn Rafaelian, Sakonnet Vineyard spans 169 acres in Little Compton, with more than 30 acres dedicated to producing award-winning wines.