a series of benefit dinners celebrating our local food, farms and
community. Each dinner is a unique experience held in the very
fields from which the evening’s menu is sourced. Chef and owner
Jonathan Rapp and chef and owner Drew McLachlan created
Dinners at the Farm as a way to generate awareness of the
importance and vitality of our local farming community and the
delicious, wholesome and abundant food it provides us.
The menus are spontaneous and bountiful, highlighting the richness
of our local traditions of farming and fishing and the often forgotten
value of eating fresh, vibrant food that was just harvested by a
dedicated farmer you know and trust.
Dinners at the Farm also strengthens our community by helping to
raise funds for local agricultural and humanitarian non-profit
organizations. With that in mind, we are donating a percentage of the
proceeds of each dinner to that evening’s non-profit partner.
Recreating a sense of connection to farming, cooking and eating is
what Dinners at the Farm is all about. For reservations visit
www.DinnersAtTheFarm.com and remember to come hungry.
All dinners begin at 6:00 PM

www.DinnersAtTheFarm.com or call River Tavern at 860.526.8078

From June through October local producers gather at the Vineyard with our regions freshest fruits, vegetables, eggs, cheese, flowers, maple syrup, honey, gourmet foods, breads and baked goods. Bring a big basket to fill with everything you need for the week including own, "Connecticut's Best Wine", 1998 - 2007! Let’s grow the market! Vendors and local musicians contact bridget@chamard.com to participate.

Henry A. Ponzio, Ex Retailer and Wine Lover

Thirty years in the wine business. Twenty eight years as a creative retailer bringing new and innovative techniques to the selling and merchandising of wine through education, enthusiasm and passion for wine and the people selling it, buying it and those creating the food and the environment in which to enjoy it. Tasting and evaluating wines from around the world on a daily basis. Traveled to California, Oregon, Washington, New York, Spain, Alsace, Portugal, many parts of Italy and France, continually on a quest to find for my customers "The Wine They Wanted before They Knew They Wanted It".

This was the mission of Suburban Wine & Spirits (one of the largest and most popular New York State Wine Shops) and a staff of 14 people educated and nurtured through travel, constant tasting and evaluating the wines of the world. Suburban was renowned for its wine education seminars, mega store tastings, wine diners and passion for bringing to its customers all the value and all the diversity the world had to offer in wine at all levels of price and quality.

Extensive experience especially in the wines of Italy, Australia, California, France, with a broad exposure to wines of Spain, Portugal, Chile, Argentina Germany, Alsace, Greece and good knowledge of New York State and Long Island Wines.

As A. Waugh once said "I spit so you can swallow." This is has always been and still is my mission.

Len Gulino, Wine Educator, with 20+ years of wine tasting, travel, and writing experience, became a full time wine professional in 2002 after a successful career in corporate information technology. A strong advocate of the "drink the wine you like" philosophy, Len encourages students in his wine tasting classes to be open-minded to all wines, and he receives great satisfaction when the wine "light bulb" goes off for a first-time wine taster.

Having taken classes and been certified with the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, the Rare Wine Company of Sonoma, and the Society of Wine Educators, he has taught for numerous educational organizations and private groups since 1988, and has instructed hundreds of budding wine lovers in the five S's of wine tasting... and much more! To further his knowledge of wines he travels regularly to the major wine regions of Europe, South America, and the U.S.

Tickets: $50/person. Reserve a series of 4 seminars for $180/person, Seminars are held in the intimate setting of our Tasting Room and are subject to cancellation if minimum reservations are not met. Please reserve in advance by emailing tastingroom@chamard.com, by calling 860.664.0299 or purchase tickets through www.localwineevents.com. Private Wine Seminars are also available.

In the summer people may drink more beer or frozen cocktails, but there never is a season without wine! As the warm weather approaches we will sample wines of all colors to find some new favorites to serve on the deck, at the beach, or even in the pool.

$60.00 per person, $110.00 for groups of two or more.

A good port and a fine cigar make perfect mates because they both have soul.

Whether you’re dressed in a velvet smoking jacket or a UConn sweatshirt, sitting watching Masterpiece Theater or Patriots football in front of a blazing fire, this marriage of a good flavorful cigar and a rich smooth velvety sweet port allows you a rare time in your hectic life to live, relax and be in the moment.

Join us for an evening of discussion of port and cigars, the match made in heaven, with Wine Consultant, Henry Ponzio. Taste and discuss a variety of ports, enjoy a discussion comparing the different types of cigars and end the evening with a cigar and a glass of port overlooking the vineyard. A fun and informative learning opportunity for the ladies and the gents.

Get Over It! The world of wine is not just made up of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Expand your horizons and impress your guests. Explore alternative varietals, the more esoteric vinifera and lesser known varietals. Be introduced to the Viognier, Pinot Gris, Albarino, Pinot Blanc, Garnacha, Mourvèdre, Malbec, Petite Syrah and Carmenere varietals. Start with a short review of Wine 101A.

The Spanish wine industry has been on a tear the last few years. Old vineyards have been revived, other vineyards have been re-planted to more exciting grape varieties, and young winemakers have embraced the newest technologies and techniques while still respecting their noble winemaking traditions. Join us tonight to taste and feel the excitement!

Everything you always wanted to know about wine but didn’t know what to ask! This class is designed for the wine novice who wants to learn the differences among the major types of wines, and why we like some wines and don’t like others.

Yes – but however you say or spell it, it means one thing – a red wine that is often nearly black/purple in color, bold, juicy, spicy and a great match with BBQ! Tonight we taste a selection from around the world to see how similar, and yet how slightly different, the wines of this popular grape are when produced in a variety of different countries.

Ah, the holidays. ... a great time for family, friends, fun, and food! Tonight we’ll sample wines that will pair well with many of the food favorites on our American holiday dinner table. We’ll also include a few that are great gift ideas for that someone special.

With Christmas and New Years Eve around the corner, it’s time to pick up some sparkling wine to celebrate the holiday festivities. “The Bubbly” comes in all styles and price ranges from around the world, and you’ll sample a wide variety tonight to find the ones you like.