Plum Nantucket

Nantucket Wine Festival 2008 Opening Ceremony

rsulzer — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:57:29 -0400

See pictures from the 2008 Nantucket Wine Festival Opening Reception.

Nantucket Wine Festival 2008 Opening Ceremony

rsulzer — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:10:20 -0400

The opening ceremonies for the 2008 Nantucket Wine Festival were held Wednesday night at the White Elephant. The five-day festival will include lectures, workshops, and tastings featuring some of the finest wines in the world.

Partygoers set off the Festival by sipping Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label champagne and listening to soothing melodies played on the guitar by Jim Sulzer.

Check out these links for more on the Nantucket Wine Festival.

Inside Wine Fest '08: Babak Bina

Liz Huberman — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:15:06 -0400

The annual Nantucket Wine Festival is one of the premiere wine festivals in the country. Celebrating food, wine & culture, the event jumpstarts Nantucket Island's summer season every May.

Plum had the opportunity to check in with some of this year's Nantucket Wine Festival luminaries, including restauranteurs Babak Bina. Babak & Azita Bina-Seibel make up the dynamic brother-sister team behind two of Boston's most exquisite dining spots: Beacon Hill's Lala Rokh & Italian restaurant & wine bar Bin 26 Enoteca.

Plum: How does it feel to be participating in this year's wine festival?

Babak Bina: First and foremost we are honored to have been asked. There are so many wonderful restaurants out there in New England so it makes us very proud to have been one of the few to be invited to be at the grand tasting and to conduct a cooking demo on the "Viking stage".

Plum: How long have you been coming to Nantucket?

Bruce: This is our first time participation in the festival. With two very busy restaurants, Lala Rokh On Beacon Hill and Bin 26 Enoteca, there is very little time to do anything but to work. But we are now at a stage that we can and must participate in many of the other national food and wine events. With a couple of more ventures in the near horizon things might change again but we hope it will be even more of a reason to come back.

Plum: What makes the Nantucket Wine Festival different than any other wine festival?

Bina: Well, it's in our back yard and we know many of the attendees so it makes it a lot of fun.

Plum: What's your favorite meal on Nantucket?

Bina: Anything Amanda Lydon throws together.

Plum: What makes Nantucket a mecca for wine connoisseurs, in your opinion?

Bina: The attendees that are there are the best of the best. Many are in their own backyard like us and are having a blast participating. Fun is infectious.

Plum: What event do you most look forward to at the Nantucket Wine Festival?

Bina: The Gala.

For more Nantucket Wine Festival Profiles:

School Committee Honors NHS Accidentals & Naturals

rsulzer — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:05:17 -0400

The Accidentals & Naturals talk to the Nantucket School Committee about their recent visit trip to France.

Inside Wine Fest '08: Ian Just

Liz Huberman — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:34:32 -0400

The annual Nantucket Wine Festival is one of the premiere wine festivals in the country. Celebrating food, wine & culture, the event jumpstarts Nantucket Island's summer season every May.

Plum had the opportunity to check in with some of this year's Nantucket Wine Festival luminaries, including notable Boston Chef Ian Just, founder of both Sorriso & Les Zygomatesz. His French bistro-style cuisine combined with New England influence stems from his studies at the renowned Ecole Superieure de Cuisine Francaise in Paris.

Plum: How does it feel to be participating in this year's wine festival?

Just: It is a special event that I look forward to each and every year.

Plum: How long have you been coming to Nantucket?

Just: I have been coming to the Nantucket Wine festival for 6 years

Plum: What makes the Nantucket Wine Festival different than any other wine festival?

Just: Location, location, location. To have an event like this in an area such as Nantucket separates this festival from all others in the US.

Plum: What's your favorite meal on Nantucket?

Just: My favorite meal on the island is at American Seasons. Michael and Orla do a fantastic job.

Plum: What makes Nantucket a mecca for wine connoisseurs, in your opinion?

Just: It's a mecca for them because all the other big shots are here, and if they're here then you must be here.

Plum: What event do you most look forward to at the Nantucket Wine Festival?

Just: The Gala is always my favorite event. It kicks off the whole show and weekend. It's always a great time to catch up with everybody.

For more Nantucket Wine Festival Profiles:

Inside Wine Fest '08: Laurent Drouhin

Liz Huberman — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:03:10 -0400

The annual Nantucket Wine Festival is one of the premiere wine festivals in the country. Celebrating food, wine & culture, the event jumpstarts Nantucket Island's summer season every May.

Plum had the opportunity to check in with some of this year's Nantucket Wine Festival luminaries, including Laurent Drouhin of Maison Joseph Drouhin, producing some of the finest wines around.

Plum: How does it feel to be participating in this year's wine festival?

Drouhin: It is a pleasure to participate once again to the festival. I know in advance I’ll meet some great, passionate people.

Plum: How long have you been coming to Nantucket?

Drouhin: It will be, if I am right, the fourth time for me and fifth for Maison Joseph Drouhin.

Plum: What makes the Nantucket Wine Festival different than any other wine festival?

Drouhin: The people, the ambiance, the interest the personality of the President and the staff make this festival special. It is a high quality one, well organized. I love to come as I know I will have both great time and see fantastic wine people as well. I love it.

Plum: What's your favorite meal on Nantucket?

Drouhin: Might be not the season, but Nantucket bay scallops with some Beaune Clos des ouches white, a dream! By the way a romantic dinner at The Wauwinet is a incredible experience.

Plum: What makes Nantucket a mecca for wine connoisseurs, in your opinion?

Drouhin: It is La Mecca thanks to its President, who knows everyone and is able to invite and have on the island the most pleasant and wine passionate people. Also, it is not only a about a big tasting, but well organized series of events, such a the seminars and, of course, Great Wines in Great Houses.

Plum: What event do you most look forward to at the Nantucket Wine Festival?

Drouhin: Great Wines in Great Houses. So high class, well done, excellent wines and fantastic food. It's one of the best one in the US.

For more Nantucket Wine Festival Profiles:

Inside Wine Fest '08: Eric Munson

Liz Huberman — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:37:36 -0400

The annual Nantucket Wine Festival is one of the premiere wine festivals in the country. Celebrating food, wine & culture, the event jumpstarts Nantucket Island's summer season every May.

Plum had the opportunity to check in with some of this year's Nantucket Wine Festival luminaries, including Dancing Bear Cellars founder Eric Munson. Dancing Bear is distributed in 16 states and is found on the wine lists of fine dining establishments throughout the country.

Plum: How does it feel to be participating in this year's wine festival?

Munson: I am really excited to pour at this year's festival since I have been coming to Natucket for almost 20 years and enjoyed the festival as a consumer for the past ten years.

Plum: How long have you been coming to Nantucket?

Munson: Since the beginning of the festival.

Plum: What makes the Nantucket Wine Festival different than any other wine festival?

Munson: The festival is unique in the spirit it brings with it. The sense of being on a island - the farway place - and it has a cohesiveness and sense of comraderie second to none.

Plum: What's your favorite meal on Nantucket?

Munson: I love the restaurants on the island so its tough to choose only one dish but I do have a "perfect meal" concept: My perfect meal starts with the fois gras from the good people at Toppers at The Wauwinet and a glass of the Dancing Bear Prosecco. Next would come the black cod at 21 Federal with a glass of my sauvignon blanc. The Galley always has some really interesting lobster dishes which will pair well with my Pinot Noir, Life of Riley Cuvee, named after my son who lives large. The White Elephant serves a great steak, which I enjoy with my Dancing Bear Cabernet Sauvignon. The pastas from Sfoglia are awesome and I would have to include one of those with one of the hearty reds I import from Italy. If it were a full day I could include breakfast at The Downyflake and a Turkey Terrific sandwich

Plum: What makes Nantucket a mecca for wine connoisseurs, in your opinion?

Munson: The island is a mecca for people seeking quality. It epitomizes a quality of life which to many includes great food and fine wine.

Plum: What event do you most look forward to at the Nantucket Wine Festival?

Munson: The private dinners and tastings around the main tastings are my favorite part; we're doing a Barolo Dinner at Sfoglia for example.

For more Nantucket Wine Festival Profiles:

Inside Wine Fest '08: Daniel Bruce

Liz Huberman — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:30:19 -0400

The annual Nantucket Wine Festival is one of the premiere wine festivals in the country. Celebrating food, wine & culture, the event jumpstarts Nantucket Island's summer season every May.

Plum had the opportunity to check in with some of this year's Nantucket Wine Festival luminaries, including internationally renowned Chef of the Boston Wine Festival Daniel Bruce. Bruce is well-known for his exquisite knowledge of pairing New England cuisine with excellent wines at Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel. According to the Nantucket Wine Festival website, "Daniel is a master of wine and food pairings, each year matching more than 200 courses with specific wines. The Boston Wine Festival is now in its 15th year, with more than 50 events per year, and chef Bruce has never repeated a single dish."

Plum: How does it feel to be participating in this year's wine festival?

Bruce: I enjoy participating in the Nantucket Wine Festival as I just finished my Boston and French Quarter Wine Festivals (14 weeks long) In Nantucket, I am able to enjoy everything the festival has to offer, in particular, I enjoy the people.

Plum: How long have you been coming to Nantucket?

Bruce: Since the beginning of the festival.

Plum: What makes the Nantucket Wine Festival different than any other wine festival?

Bruce: Location. The festival is on one of New England's most famous islands. The island maintains it's old New England feel and the Nantucket Wine Festival is really the beginning of the summer season for the island.

Plum: What's your favorite meal on Nantucket?

Bruce: I enjoy all the offerings of the festival.

Plum: What makes Nantucket a mecca for wine connoisseurs, in your opinion?

Bruce: I don't consider it a mecca, though starting with the festival and running through the summer there is great wine to be found throughout the island.

Plum: What event do you most look forward to at the Nantucket Wine Festival?

Bruce: In the past couple years, I have enjoyed my role as a Chef at the Great House dinners. This allows me to walk around the Gala and reconnect with both chefs and winemakers, which I don't have an opportunity to do much of the time.

For more Nantucket Wine Festival Profiles:

Verbatim: Yard Sales

rsulzer — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:17:13 -0400

Welcome to Verbatim, a re-telling of anything and everything on Nantucket through your own words. We accept photos, writing, and pretty much anything else that is an expression and celebration of the community we live in and the beauty around us. In this week's submission Robert Barsanti describes going "yard sale-ing" with his sons and makes some poignant observations along the way.

The Summer House Restaurant

Liz Huberman — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:52:44 -0400

Enjoy a romantic and exquisite meal at The Summer House restaurant, the most scenic dining experience on Nantucket.

For more information on The Summer House Restaurant:

Phone: 508-257-9976
Address: 17 Ocean Ave. | PO Box 880 | Siasconset, MA 02564
Website: http://www.thesummerhouse.com/summerrest/index.html

Nantucket Fishing Report: 5/7/08

rsulzer — Sun, 11 May 2008 16:26:50 -0400

Hopefully it won’t be long before big bass like this start showing up, but they are not quite here yet. It could be any day according to Captain Pete Kaizer of the Althea K.

Where'd You Get...

Liz Huberman — Sun, 11 May 2008 10:10:12 -0400

Where'd You Get That....Massage?

At Ki Therapy on Nantucket, your experience will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed. Owner Holly Witherell is a licensed massage therapist who has been practicing holistic healthcare since she was a teenager. She believes that good health comes from balance in mind, body, soul, and spirit. Pamper yourself with a rejuvenating massage at Ki Therapy; Witherell's years of experience on Nantucket have built up a steady client list. An extremely gifted massage therapist, Witherell's sixth sense finds your trouble spots and knots and works them out with ease. Book your appointment at Ki Therapy today.

For more information on Ki Therapy:

Phone: 508-325-5556
Website: www.kitherapy.com
Click here for Ki Therapy's Featured Listing on Plum.

Lighthouses on Nantucket

rsulzer — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:27:10 -0400

Nantucket's three lighthouses help guide ships through the night sky and the thick fog. Check out our videos on Great Point, Brant Point and Sankaty Lighthouse.

Plum Life: Kasia Baker

rsulzer — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:32:01 -0400

Kasia Baker first started visiting Nantucket when she was a teenager and has called the island home for 25 years. Kasia shares her journey of art and life on Nantucket in this Plum Life.

Nantucket Wine Festival 2008 Preview

rsulzer — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:11:15 -0400

With the 2008 Nantucket Wine Festival (May 14-18) starts today, it's the perfect time to take a look back at last year's Nantucket Wine Festival coverage.

The ten links to the right offer a sample of Nantucket Wine Festival events, profile featured speakers and take a closer look at some of the best wines in the world.

Watch the Video below as Nantucket Wine Festival President and Founder Denis Toner takes us through the highlights of the 2007 NWF. Check out the 2008 NWF Calendar.

The Nantucket Sky in May 2008

rsulzer — Mon, 05 May 2008 09:21:54 -0400

The Nantucket Sky in May 2008

The Stargazer Report is a monthly report courtesy of Vladimir Strelnitski, the Director of Astronomy at the Maria Mitchell Association.

Nantucket Golf Club Scholarship 2008

rsulzer — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:23:15 -0400

On Tuesday the Nantucket Golf Club announced the recipients of their 2008 scholarships. Tomas Smaliorius, who plans to attend Bucknell University and Anita Elahi who plans to attend George Washington University each received full 4-year scholarships to a college of their choice.

The Nantucket Scholar 2008 finalists included: Brian Chitester, Molly MacKay, Julia Wendelken, Miranda Dale, Tomas Smaliorius, Nellie Morley, Jasper Young, Anita Elahi, Russell Bartlett, Martina Ivanova, and Lena Civitarese.

Nantucket Daffodil Festival Weekend 2008

rsulzer — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:41:26 -0400

With thousands of daffodils adorning shops, cars and people, Nantucket looked more than a little yellow during the 2008 Daffodil Festival.

From the Antique Car Parade to the the picnic in 'Sconset: check out photos, results and video from around the island.

Nantucket Scholars 2008

rsulzer — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:01:06 -0400

Nantucket High School Seniors Tomas Smaliorius and Anita Elahi were named 2008 Nantucket Scholars and awarded four-year full-tuition scholarships to a college of their choice.

The Making of Triple Eight Cranberry Vodka 888

Liz Huberman — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:58:04 -0400

Head out to Cisco Brewery and the 888 Distillery to see how they make their famous Cranbery Vodka.

For more on Cisco Brewery and 888 Distillery:

Address: 3 Bartlett Farm Road | Nantucket, MA 02554
Phone: 508-325-5929
Website: www.ciscobrewers.com
Email: jay@ciscobrewers.com