Press Release
For More Information Contact: Diane Downing, The Common Man (603) 968-9330
FIRST WINNIPESAUKEE WINE FESTIVAL RAISES MORE THAN $16,000 FOR BRIDGE HOUSE SHELTER IN PLYMOUTH
More than 300 attended this event featuring more than 100 wines from around the world.
MEREDITH, NH – Wine enthusiasts and novices alike crowded the first ever Winnipesaukee Wine Festival at Church Landing at Mill Falls in Meredith last week, introducing their palates to new wines and helping raise more than $16,000 for Bridge House emergency and transitional shelter in Plymouth.
Organized by The Common Man family of restaurants and The Martignetti Companies of New Hampshire, the event featured wine, spirits and beer from local, national and international wineries and breweries.
Diane Downing of The Common Man said the first-time event was a great success, and was just short of sold out. Downing said she got the idea from the Nantucket Wine Festival in Massachusetts and wanted to do something similar but on a smaller scale, and as a fund-raiser for a local charity.
“It seemed the perfect vehicle for us to use as a fund-raiser,” said Downing. “People were amazed at the depth of selection of wines, and that there were alternatives like the Triple 8 martini bar and Peak Organic brewery. They were also pleased by the selection of food items and entertainment, and that it was all included for the $50 donation to Bridge House.”
Bridge House provides emergency and transitional shelter to the area’s homeless population. Its mission is to enhance the residents’ ability to respond to life’s challenges and secure independence by providing the necessary support and skills to return to the community.
Participating wineries and breweries included Peak Organic Brewing Company and Cisco Brewery of Nantucket, which featured their Whale’s Tale Ale and Triple 8 martinis served down a martini luge ice sculpture created by Jeff Day of Not So Plain Jane’s in Rumney. The event also featured California vineyards Ferrari Carano, Bonny Doon, Robert Mondavi, Rutherford Wine Company, St. Supery Wines and Justin Vineyards, as well as Lindemans of Australia and many others.
Food was provided by The Common Man’s Lakehouse Grille as well as local restaurants William Tell, Coyote Grill and Love Bites and raffle prizes were donated by local artist Marcia Haughey of Laconia, The Martignetti Companies of New Hampshire and the Inns and Spa at Mill Falls in Meredith.
Downing said the event was a great success thanks to the efforts of the organizational committee, which included Laura Hinman of The Minary Conference Center and Jane Cantlin, president of Bridge House, and the participating vendors and sponsors who helped put it together. Downing said she is already planning to host another wine festival next year, featuring more wineries and with proceeds again going to charity.
The first Common Man restaurant opened in Ashland in 1971. Over the past 35 years, the family has grown to 13 restaurants and an inn and spa, which includes Foster’s Steakhouse at The Common Man Inn and Spa in Plymouth; The Common Man restaurants in Ashland, Lincoln, Concord, Windham and Merrimack; The Italian Farmhouse in Plymouth; Tilt’n Diner in Tilton and Airport Diner in Manchester; and Lago, Camp, Town Docks and Lakehouse Grille in Church Landing at Mill Falls in Meredith. For more information, visit www.thecman.com.