Discover historic highlights at Strawbery Banke’s Wine Festival on Sept. 12

PORTSMOUTH — Strawbery Banke Museum invites the community to its largest one-day annual fundraiser, Vintage & Vine — A Wine Festival in Historic Style, scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 12. The event, which occurs outdoors throughout the Museum’s nearly 10-acre site, heirloom gardens, and historic landscapes, offers guests the opportunity to sample an extensive selection of fine wines and cuisine prepared by Seacoast-area top chefs and caterers. Tickets are available for purchase online via StrawberyBanke.org/vintage-vine .

General admission opens at 5 p.m. and tickets are $95 per person (designated driver general admission tickets are $40). VIP tickets, which are sold out, allow guests to enter at 4 p.m. and circulate the entire site and the designated VIP tent. The event comes to a close at 7:30 p.m.

New for the 2024 event, attendees can engage with local history through new and immersive experiences.

“Vintage & Vine offers more than just a celebration of fine wine and cuisine,” said James Connally, Director of Events. “It’s a chance to engage with our region’s history in a meaningful way. This year, we’re excited to feature activities like croquet, tintype photography, and special exhibits that highlight our past. It’s a great mix of history and celebration, and we look forward to sharing it with our guests.”

Historical highlights include:

• Croquet on the Lawn: Guests can enjoy a game of croquet, a popular pastime from the 19th century, with sets available for use throughout the event.
• Coopering Demonstration by Ron Raiselis, Master Cooper: Learn about the traditional craft of coopering at the Dinsmore Shop, which holds the workshop of Ron Raiselis, Master Cooper. Portsmouth’s coopers produced vast quantities of barrel staves for export, particularly to the West Indies where they were finished and shipped out.
• William Pitt Tavern Open for Self-Guided Tours: Explore the William Pitt Tavern, built in 1766, which served as both the home and business of John Stavers, an English immigrant. The Tavern also acted as the Portsmouth terminus of the Flying Stage-Coach between Portsmouth and Boston.
• Tintype Photography by Mark Bingham: For an additional fee, attendees can have their portraits taken in this vintage style, capturing the essence of the past.
• 200th Anniversary of Marquis de Lafayette’s Visit: In September 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette visited Portsmouth. Vintage & Vine will celebrate this milestone by featuring French wines, commemorating the historical significance of Lafayette’s visit.
• Museum’s Archaeological Collection on Display: Discover images of wine-related artifacts from the Museum’s archaeological collection, offering a glimpse into the historical context of wine in the region.

This year's event also features an exciting raffle and silent auction, where guests can bid on items such as a 2024 Wolf Island Scooter; a six-foot laminated bamboo surfboard and O’Neil wetsuit, fins, and leash; a House of Lottery cards; and more. Proceeds from the raffle and silent auction will directly support the Museum’s preservation and education programs.

Guests must be 21 years or older to attend. Comfortable footwear is advised as the tasting stations are arranged throughout the Museum's 10-acre campus.

2024 Wine and Restaurant Partners:

• Wine Partners: Auspicious Brew, Baystate Wine and Spirits, The Dry Cellar, Flag Hill Winery & Distillery, Hermit Woods Winery, LaBelle Winery, Martignetti Companies, Pine State Beverage, PSP Global Wines, Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), Rhythm Cidery, Round Pond Estate, Ruby Wines, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits of New England, Uncorked Wine & Spirits of New England, Vinilandia New Hampshire, Zorvino Vineyards.
• Restaurant Partners: 110 Grill, Anju Noodle Bar, Aubrey's Coffee House & Bakery, The Atlantic Grill, Beach Pea Baking Company, Chill Catering, Cup of Joe Cafe & Bar, Enna Chocolate, Fresh Press, Flatbread Company, Hearth Market, Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club, La Belle Chocolat/Chocolate by Sparrow, La Carreta Mexican Restaurant, Lindt & Sprungli USA Inc., Martingale Wharf Restaurant & Bar, Napoletana, Nichinan, The Oar House, Portsmouth Gaslight, The Rosa Restaurant, Rooftop at The Envio, SALT Kitchen & Bar, Salud, Stroll Cafe, SouthPort Kitchen + Bar, Two-Fifty Market, and the Wilder.

Vintage & Vine 2024 is proudly sponsored by Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club, Rooftop at the Envio, Dermatology & Skin Health, Devine Millimet Attorneys at Law, McLane Middleton, and Taste of the Seacoast Magazine.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit StrawberyBanke.org . Proceeds from this event will support Strawbery Banke Museum’s preservation and education efforts.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Discover historic highlights at Strawbery Banke’s Wine Festival on Sept. 12