Exquisite Sakonnet Vineyards

Christie’s Great Estates Offers Celebrated Sakonnet Vineyards for US$10.5 Million

Exclusive Affiliate Lila Delman Real Estate in Newport, Rhode Island Represents the Wine Operation and Five Private Home Sites

Little Compton, Rhode Island — Earl and Susan Samson had thriving careers in New York City; she was in theater and he was in finance. “Earl took two years to convince me to leave the city and live full time in Rhode Island as a vineyard owner,” says his wife. “That was 24 years ago.”

Winemaking, as a second career, continues to grow in popularity. The number of wineries in the United States grew to almost 5,600 in 2008, up from 4,700 the year before, according to Wine America, the industry’s trade organization. Sakonnet Vineyards presents a rare opportunity to own an established and award-winning vineyard on the east coast of the United States. The vineyard and winery is being offered for US$10.5 million by Lila Delman Real Estate with international marketing provided by Christie’s Great Estates.

“People ask me all the time if I miss the theater,” says Samson. “Owning a vineyard is theater! The international travel, the glamour, the fascinating people you meet from all over the world when promoting your product.” Sakonnet Vineyards, celebrating its 35th Anniversary, is recognized as a pioneer in the New England wine industry. It is located in the heart of a burgeoning wine-growing region producing wines under the Southeastern New England viticultural appellation. The property consists of 170 acres of which approximately 37 acres are planted in vines producing an average of 8,000 to 9,000 cases of “Estate Grown” wine. The wines have received national and international acclaim winning numerous medals in international competitions, including “Best of Show” for a Gewurztraminer at the 2004 Monterey International Wine Competition. Boston Magazine named Sakonnet “Best Winery in New England” for 2006.

To commemorate the first planting of the vines, Sakonnet Vineyards has released a new 35th Anniversary Claret—an equal blend of Sakonnet’s Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot—and is playing host to a number of food and wine events throughout the summer. The first event, ‘An Elegant Luncheon,’ will be held on June 27. A four-course meal will be prepared by visiting celebrity chefs from San Francisco, Boston, Atlanta, and Providence. Call Sakonnet Vineyards for details at +1 401 635 8486.

“Earl and Susan Samson and their exemplary Sakonnet Vineyards have become synonymous with the unprecedented standards raised over the past 25 years by the so called American Revolution in food and wine,” says Michael Batterberry, Editor-in-Chief/Publisher of Food Arts magazine. “Increasingly their award-winning portfolio of wines has found a wide and devoted following in both the consumer and restaurant sectors. In addition, with their regular staging of magnetic wine and food programs and events, the Samsons have made Sakonnet Vineyards a nationally recognized destination for noted chefs, restaurateurs, and sommeliers and their admiring public.”

Wine grapes require ample sun, limited rain, and complex and well-drained soil. The microclimate of Rhode Island has often been compared to the famous winegrowing regions of Europe—the Loire Valley in France and the Rhone Valley in Germany.
“The property is surrounded by water,” says Susan Samson. “The Atlantic Ocean, the Sakonnet River and the 371-acre Watson Reservoir, which keeps temperatures cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The long, cool growing season allows us to keep the grapes on the vine until they are fully ripe resulting in a more robust wine.”

Sakonnet Vineyards, in Little Compton, Rhode Island was founded in 1975 on the well-researched premise that the microclimate and soil conditions found along the Southeastern New England coast closely resemble some of the great wine regions of the world, particularly, the maritime climates of northern France. At present, 37 acres are planted with many Vinifera varietals including Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc as well as Vidal Blanc one of the French-American hybrids. The Samsons purchased the property in 1987 and worked closely with a vineyard manager and wine maker to select the grapes that would thrive in Rhode Island and perfect the wines they produce.

In addition, there is a residential component, contiguous to the vineyard property, located on a plateau of open fields, laced with stone fences that slope gently down to Watson Reservoir. The plan is to create a small community of compatible homeowners who will live in harmony with a working vineyard/winery and share the values of privacy, open space, agriculture and sustainability. Sakonnet Vineyards
includes five home sites, with each lot encompassing more than 13 acres and fully serviced by underground electricity, a well for potable water, and a state-approved septic system. For a special few, a coveted lifestyle is available without the work or responsibility of winery ownership. Covenants are established to preserve and maintain the natural beauty of the entire property.

Sakonnet Vineyards is ideally situated in the charming New England town of Little Compton, which is a member of the Heritage Coastal Farms, a group of Massachusetts and Rhode Island towns that have banded together to promote agri-tourism by highlighting their natural resources and historic character. The town center, known as The Commons, is an idyllic place with a general store, a collection of churches, and a wonderfully peaceful character. In such a serene environment, the hectic urban world seems a lifetime away.

The BP Oil Spill

If you are not heartbroken, you are probably three-quarters of the way dead already.

Where are all of our brilliant minds? Come on MIT, Harvard, NOAA, NASA even. If this is not a crisis of epic proportions that demands epic and heroic actions, what is? Come on, dear Mr. President, please use your executive power to harness some of our great minds and the determination that got us to the moon, for God’s sake, and DO SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!!

I know a lot of people are studying the problem but every hour means thousands and thousands more gallons of thick and ugly oil are destroying our water, wildlife, beaches, saltwater marshes. Even little shrimp and the tiny, tiny life that the shrimp feed on are being annihilated. It is heartbreaking to see the oil seeping into the marshland. And I can’t even watch the birds covered with oil. It is devastatingly sad.

Could we please stop destroying Mother Earth? Earth’s nickname is The Big Blue Marble. It looks like one when seen from outer space because our planet is overwhelmingly covered by seas and oceans – 70% water! Thus, don’t you think we should keep our water clean, even pristine?

I feel encouraged that so many people are more aware of the consequences of our actions and how even small changes can bring about big results, over time. Like bringing our own shopping bags to the market, for one. Not using so many plastic, disposable water bottles, another. Driving more fuel efficient cars. These are easy and people are responding to society’s suggestions, I think.

But this oil spill is a really big problem and I don’t know how it will end. How many thousands of gallons of oil can the ocean absorb before there are catastrophic results both ecologically and economically? And then add the spraying of the dispersant, whatever that is. It does not seem to be helping. I know it is outrageous to constantly add foreign chemicals on top of the petroleum pouring into the ocean.

The irony, of course, is that BP stands for Beyond Petroleum. Supposedly they represent alternative energy sources like Wind, Solar, Gas, etc. Incredible hypocrites and we all let them get away with it. I say that because we all are standing around – not outraged enough – that our government’s regulatory policy for off-shore oil drilling is a huge joke. Unfortunately, we have all been complacent and look what has happened to us. It is way past time for the United States to get a serious energy policy in place and stop fooling around like it is some kind of political football tossed around between the two parties.

But right now we are in a crisis and I would like someone in leadership – our president, the Secretary of the Interior, and the head of the EPA, someone - to step up and gather all the top scientists and engineers together and stop the oil from gushing in to the ocean.

Azzurra Castle oozes Caribbean cool

A unique and highly desirable residence of spacious proportions, Azzurra Castle encompasses a 26,500 square feet site set at the end of a peninsula on The Caribbean Sea.

Centrally located, being within fifteen minutes of the International Airport and the capital town of St George’s.





Two private gated landscaped entrance courtyards with garage and parking.

Several extensive living and dining areas, roof and garden terraces, patios and beautifully managed tropical gardens.












Two small private beaches, boat deck, sunbathing beach deck, barbecue area, beach lounge and beach side Jacuzzi.







The Castle has five dramatic, air-conditioned bedrooms with private bathrooms and a self contained apartment in the turret with its own roof terrace. And of course, no Castle comes without a folly; you’re turreted get-away in the gardens! A maximum of twelve guests can be accommodated.





The Castle also has a dungeon, thoughtfully converted into an air-conditioned luxury cinema and board-room/office/exercise room and numerous reception rooms/areas.




Centrally located private sunbathing courtyard and swimming pool.



Grenada, the Spice Island of the Caribbean, has an enjoyable year round climate and is outside the hurricane belt. The mountainous island with tropical rain forests, rivers, waterfalls, lovely beaches and turquoise waters is complemented by tropical flowers, exotic birds and the friendly charm of the Grenadian people.



The entire property is surrounded by an architectural wall and is offered turn key and fully furnished.



Azzurra Castle is the ultimate in private locations, always enjoying gentle trade winds and has two small sandy beaches in a serene and secluded bay; alternately enjoy the view from the beach side Jacuzzi or lay out on the terraced decking or sunbathe/stargaze on the vast roof terrace opening onto delightful tropical gardens and terraces.



Potentially Azzurra Castle can provide a welcome income stream or be the private hideaway you have always been looking for. Azzurra Castle is offered turn key and fully furnished.

Meeting Justin

Last week I wrote a blog entitled "The Right Stuff." I told the story of an eighteen year old boy, Justin Richards, his battle three times with cancer, and his life being saved by a bone marrow transplant. The bone marrow donor was my husband, Jaime Wilson, and last weekend Jaime and I flew out to Phoenix, Arizona to meet Justin and his family. I had many e-mails requesting a follow up blog, so here goes.

The actual meeting took place in unusual circumstances. The Banner Good Samaritan Hospital staged our initial meeting to be held at a press conference in the building. Jaime and I were apprised of this "planned meeting" and both of us were a bit unnerved. The half hour before a hospital security car was to pick us up at the hotel, I did yoga and Jaime did Sudoku. Once we arrived at the hospital, we were shuffled for what seemed to be hours from one room to the next. Finally we were lead to a conference room and instructed to wait outside. We could hear the conversation inside and someone finally said, "Are you ready to meet your bone marrow donor?" Yikes! The moment had come and we were escorted into a room filled with nurses, doctors, friends, family, and four TV stations. And that is where we first met Justin and the Richards family.

The weekend was a whirlwind of wonderful events. On Friday Jaime and Justin were the keynote speakers at a luncheon at the Phoenix Art Museum and that evening the Richards hosted a reception for us so that we could meet their close friends. On Saturday Jaime and Justin golfed at the Scottsdale TPC, and we were even invited to a wedding that evening at the Richards house. "Donor," the dog named after Jaime was a bit of a surprise. He was a big brute who reminded me of Cerberus from Greek mythology.

Now the important stuff! Meeting Justin was absolutely amazing and one of those moments that will always be remembered with a big smile. It was striking that despite battling with cancer for thirteen years, Justin and his family are serene, loving, upbeat, and happier than most people that I know. Justin was asked at the press conference what he wanted to say to his donor. Over and over, he repeated the words, "Thank you, thank you, thank you." I will also always remember two sentences that Jaime said in a speech that he gave. He said, "Justin, perhaps it is I who have been given the biggest gift of all. I am blessed to have made a difference, saved a life, and added purpose to my own life."

Lastly, Justin presented Jaime with a beautiful platter that he and his mom had made. At the top of it are pictures of a cactus and a starfish, symbolizing the two different geographic areas where Justin and Jaime reside. BELIEVE IN MIRACLES is inscribed below and then the date October 18, 2007, the actual date that Justin received the bone marrow transplant. I asked Justin the date of his birthday. He responded, "I have two birthdays but my real birthday is October 18, 2007."