Sakonnet Vineyards Kicks Off Coastal Wine Trail Festival

The annual kick-off party for the is this Sunday, June 26 at . It will be featuring the nine regional wineries that make up the trail, including Coastal Vineyards, Greenvale Vineyards, Langworthy Farm, Newport Vineyards, Running Brook Vineyards, Travessia Winery, Truro Vineyards, Westport Rivers Winery and Sakonnet Vineyards. The trail itself runs from Cape Cod west through Westerly.

The age 21-plus event runs from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday and the cost for a ticket, which can only be purchased by contacting Sakonnet Vineyards at 401-635-8486 ext. 116, is $45.

The area’s farmers, finest food providers, cheese makers, bakers and restaurants will be on hand for attendees to sample their goods, and there will also be live music. Some vendors and participants will also have cash only items for sale.

On Tuesday, Steve Krohn, administrator for the trail, said they have over 300 people already registered to attend and hopes to have close to 400 attendees for the event.

"Hopefully it will be sunny," he said.

Krohn added that the event, happening rain or shine, will be tented and located just opposite just opposite the winery tasting room. Parking will be located in a field just north of the tent.

"We have more chefs this year than what we’ve had in the past and more food vendors," he said, adding that aside from the nine wineries participating, there's approximately 46 vendors in total. A full list can be found here. Krohn said there will also be packaged items available.

There is also a contest this year, Krohn added. The first place prize is a cruise on a Norweigian Cruise Line trip from Boston to Bermuda, and the new second place prize this year is a long weekend at the Jacob Hill Inn in Seekonk, MA. There are also $50 gift certificates available to all nine wineries on the trail.

For more information, visit the festival's home page here.