12th Annual Nantucket Wine Festival

by Vera Thornton

When: May 14 – 18, 2008

In just a few weeks, the historic whaling capital of Nantucket will once again become the nation’s wine capital. According to the Quarterly Review of Wines in its Spring 2008 issue "the Festival...has become one of the best wine events in the nation, with some of the finest global wine talent on hand every year....".
Events take place in the heart of downtown Nantucket, with everything in easy walking distance. Here are some of the highlights of the weekend.





Opening Reception
Wednesday, May 14, at 5:30 p.m.
The White Elephant

Featuring champagne,
appetizers,
and guitar music.
Tickets: $60








The Gala
Thursday, May 15 at 6:00 p.m.
White Elephant Hotel

Sample great wine and superb food specially chosen to compliment it.
This event offers 30 stations at which a winemaker is paired with a restaurant chef, some from Nantucket’s great restaurants and some who are special guest celebrity chefs. During the Gala there will be a Silent Auction to benefit the Nantucket Historical Association.
Tickets: $175




Luncheon Symposia
Friday, May 16, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Three separate events at different locations will present a discussion between distinguished winemakers and patrons, followed by a four- course luncheon.
Tickets: $175 - $250






Grand Tasting
Saturday & Sunday, May 17 & 18
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Nantucket Yacht Club

This is your chance to taste great wines paired with some of Nantucket’s finest food, and take in cooking demonstrations from culinary geniuses. All four sessions will offer the same wines and foods. The hourly cooking demonstrations, however, will vary.
Food authors will also be on hand for book signings.
Please note that the Saturday 3:00 p.m. session is SOLD OUT.
Tickets: $110, single session; and $200, double session




Great Wine in Grand Houses
Thursday & Friday, May 15 & 16, starting times from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 17, starting times from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 18, starting times from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.


If a more intimate setting is what you’d like, these guided tastings in private homes are limited to 20 people, and require two hours. Some include brunch or dinner, as well. Due to limited attendance, please reserve early to avoid disappointment.
Tickets: $110 to $200





Celebrity Chef & Wine Auction Dinner
Saturday, May 17 from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m.
The White Elephant

A spectacular five-course dinner prepared by Chef David Daniels of the Nantucket’s Wauwinet will feature wines from Alex Gambal, one of Burgundy’s most respected winemakers. The auction immediately following offers rare wines and lifestyle packages, including a Napa Valley excursion and a five day, chauffeur-driven trip through Spain. The auction benefits the Nantucket Historical Association.
Tickets: $250
Call (508) 228-1128 to purchase, or email info@nantucketwinefestival.com



For a wine festival program, poster, or reservations,
call (508) 228-1128
or visit www.nantucketwinefestival.com


Photo credits:
Photo #3: Marlo Fogelman, www.marlomc.com
Photos #1, #2 and #4 - #7: www.nantucketwinefestival.com

Bicycling On Nantucket

by Vera Thornton

Nantucket is a great island for biking for several reasons: It small, relatively flat, and scenically gorgeous. And, in the busy summer season you can avoid traffic and often make faster progress on a bike than in a car, particulary downtown and mid-island. So if you have a bike, bring it along, and if not you can rent one, along with all the necessary accessories.

Nantucket has 24 miles of bike paths, which are separated from the roadways. A terrific feature is the color-coded sticker sign system on posts along the bike routes through downtown, which will lead you right to the paths. The bike paths vary in length and cover the whole island, of course leading to the beaches and scenic points of interest. Try the five mile Madaket path out to the west side of the island and the village of Madeket, where the beach is great for scalloping and crabbing, and where you can catch an incredible sunset. Along the way you’ll pass the Sanford Farm and the Quaker Cemetery.

The Milestone Road bike path is a little longer, 6.5 miles, and cuts right across the middle of the island to the eastern side, passing the Nantucket moors, a cranberry bog and views of the golf course. Milestone connects to the Polpis route, 8.2 miles, which brings you back to town on an alternative route past the Sankaty Head Lighthouse and the Life Saving Museum. If all the pedaling gets to be too much for you, the public shuttle busses all have bike racks.

Remember that bicycle etiquette asks you to obey one-way street signs and walk your bike if you’re on the sidewalk. And when you stop, make sure you’re off to the side and not in the middle of the street, a situation which will not endear you to the locals! And as elsewhere in Massachusetts, anyone age 16 or younger is required to wear a bicycle helmet.

For rentals and touring information, contact the following local businesses:

Young's Bicycle Shop
(508) 228-1151
6 Broad Street - PO Box 1229 - Nantucket, MA

Nantucket Bike Shop
Steamboat Wharf/Straight Wharf
(800) 770-3088

Easy Riders Bicycle Rentals and Delivery
(508) 325-2722
Nantucket Memorial Airport, 14 Airport Road and 65 Surfside Road - Nantucket, MA

Island Bike & Sport
(508) 228-4070 – (877) 228-4070
25 Old South Road - Nantucket, MA

Photo Credits: Courtesy of Young's Bike Shop 

April On Nantucket

April On Nantucket
By Vera Thornton

As I turned the calendar to ‘April’ this morning, I had much anticipation to take my pen and mark a very important date: April 25th – 27th. Yes, one of my very favorite events of all-time is taking place that weekend: The Annual Nantucket Daffodil Festival. Spring has arrived and Nantucket will soon be springing into full bloom with millions of daffodils. This magical festival is a true delight, whether it is your first visit to the Island or one of many. So get out your pen, mark the calendar, and start planning your visit.

Annual Nantucket Daffodil Festival Weekend - 2008
Sponsored by the Nantucket Chamber Of Commerce
Friday, April 25th thru Sunday, April 27th

This hugely popular event celebrates the arrival of spring, when over three million daffodils are in bloom all over the island. This floral extravaganza was the brainchild of Jean MacAusland, former editor of Gourmet magazine, who in 1974 planted masses of bulbs along Milestone Road. Several thousand more were added every year, and Jean persuaded the Nantucket Garden Club to invite the American Daffodil Association to sponsor a daffodil show on the island. Nantucket residents embraced the idea with enthusiasm and joined in the planting. And since the rabbits and deer on Nantucket don’t care for daffodils, the blooms flourished. Good thing they didn’t plant tulips!

The Daffodil Festival’s grand event, held on Saturday at 12:00 noon (rain or shine) is the Annual Antique Car Parade, featuring over 100 daffodil-bedecked antique cars. You can see that these “petal heads” put a lot of effort and imagination into the decorations – these cars are worthy of a Hollywood movie production! After winding through town and across the island to the charming village of Siasconset, participants join residents and visitors for the Annual Tailgate Picnic, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Held on the lush lawns leading into the village, the picnic boasts fare ranging from elaborate gourmet cuisine served on fine china to box lunches and burgers. The parade and picnic have been held every year since 1978.

This is as much an event for residents as it is for visitors. Locals are ready to come out into the fresh air again after the long, often harsh Nantucket winter, and see neighbors they haven’t run into for months. Summer residents come to open up their homes, and businesses and restaurants open their doors for the public to enjoy as part of the celebration.

Other events include a Childrens’ Parade at 10:00 a.m. and the Daffy Hat Pageant at 10:45 a.m. on April 26. The annual Nantucket Daffodil Show – Rainbows of Daffodils takes place on April 27 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Coffin School on Winter Street, and is sponsored by the American Daffodil Club and the Nantucket Garden Club. A fun weekend for the whole family!

Admission is free.

For More Information:

Contact the Nantucket Chamber Of Commerce: (508) 228-1700
or visit: www.nantucketchamber.org target="_blank"

Contact the Nantucket travel experts at Destination Insider: (508) 332-3069

Pet-Friendly Travel

By Wendy Harman

The Island of Nantucket is a great place to get away with your pet. On top of the many enjoyable activities and beaches, the Island has a wonderfully casual and dog lovin' vibe.

Traveling With Your Pet
If you're planning to travel to Nantucket by ferry, you'll be glad to know that all of the ferry companies will allow you to bring your pet on board provided that it is leashed at all times and in designated areas only. What's more, pets travel for free!

Cape Air
This regional airline will allow you to bring your pet on board for just a $10.00 fee. Cape Air offers flights to Nantucket from Boston, New Bedford, Hyannis and Martha's Vineyard -- as well as Providence, Rhode Island. Advance reservations and arrangements are necessary for traveling with your pet on Cape Air.

Pet-Friendly Lodging
There are a myriad of pet-friendly accommodations on Nantucket ranging from hotels and inns to private vacation homes and cottages. Destination Insider - Nantucket includes an overview of Nantucket pet-friendly hotels and inns on their website. You can also contact their Travel Office (508.696.3900) for assistance if you are looking for private vacation homes or cottages that will accommodate your pet.

Pet-Friendly Outdoor Restaurants

Espresso To Go
1 Toombs Court, Nantucket * (508)228.6930
This great cafe serves a variety of basked goodslike muffins, cookies and coffee cakes. In addition, they offer an extensive array of deli sandwiches, salads, pasta and pizza.

Henry's Sandwich Shop
2 Broad Street, Nantucket * (508) 228.012
This favorite Island establishment is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Well-behaved and leashed dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables.

Something Natural
50 Cliff Road, Nantucket
This restaurant serves healthy food. Dogs are allowed at the outdoor tables.

Pet-Friendly Shopping
Here are some favorite pet-friendly or related shops and markets which may be fun to visit during your stay:

Cold Noses This exclusive Nantuckt boutique, located on Straight Wharf, features a variety of apparel, gifts and more for dogs and cats.

Sandy Paws Of Nantucket (20 Centre Street, Nantucket) You'll find a treaure of "must have" dog treats at Sandy Paws. Some island dog favorites are red lobster-shaped dog biscuits and other nautical-inspired creations.

The Black Dog General Store
A visit to the Black Dog General Store on Nantucket is the ideal place to outfit yourself and canine companion with a classic Black Dog print bandanna or an iconc t-shirt.

Pet-Friendly Nantucket Beaches
Dogs are allowed on Nantucket beaches that have lifeguards before 9:00 a.m. and/or after 5:00 p.m. daily in season. If there is no lifeguard stationed at a beach, dogs are welcome any time of day. During the off-season, dogs are allowed all day on beaches. Please note the pets are required to be leashed at all times and owners are responsible to remove all pet waste from the beach.

Pet-Friendly Walking & Hiking Trails
Nantucket offers dozens of walking and hiking opportunities most of which can be enjoyed with your pet (leashed). Some of my favorites are Sanford Farm (off Madaket Road with 15 miles of trails over 1,000 acres). Sandord Farm is adjacent to two other properties: Squam Farm (off Quidney Road) and Squam Swamp (off Wauwinet Road).

NOTE: The Trustees of Reservations properties are wildlife refuges and are therefore NOT pet-friendly (this includes Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge).