Grapes & Gourmet - A Local Slice of Heaven
Yesterday I visited a local slice of heaven. A wine and gourmet foods shop called Grapes & Gourmet in Jamestown, RI. Situated right on the Jamestown harbor and with a backdrop of the Pell/Newport Bridge, the overall experience is just serene.
Jamestown was founded in 1678 as part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and transferred to Rhode Island in 1746. Visitors today enjoy a quaint setting with historic farms, stunning parks, award winning restaurants and locally owned shops and art galleries. One of these locally owned boutiques is award winning, Grapes and Gourmet. While the store has been in existence much longer, I found out that the brother and sister duo acquired the store in 2013. Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting Ameila, co-owner. My first impression was a very welcoming and warm environment. Amelia’s engaging personality and knowledge of both wine and cheese was on full display and we quickly engaged in an in-depth discussion about our mutual passions. It is not a large footprint; however, it is extremely well organized and thought out and was simple to target exactly what I was looking for. This is extremely important when square footage is at a premium. The store is a boutique style carrying wine, spirits, craft beer and gourmet items such as cheese, charcuterie and accompaniments. The unique touch is catering to local consumers and getting to know exactly what each of their clients want as well as their habits and proactively ensuring that inventory exists. Jamestown has a population of just under 30,000 people with increased numbers during the summer tourist season, so there isn’t a huge population to draw from; however, the Wilson’s use this as a means of providing a unique customer service model rich with personal touch and detail where most of the clientele is known and addressed by their first names. The unique model is also drawing in customers in from Newport, Jamestown’s larger neighbor.
They inventory is approximately 500 different wines where 70% of their selection is red, 25% is white and 5% is rosé and sparkling wine. The product mix is quite unique as well. Most of the major brands are well represented but it was evident that there was a flair for smaller, less known producers which offer customers the ability to broaden their horizons and learn about different producers that produce equal are better wines at sometimes a more affordable price. The Wilson’s ties to the wine industry also ensures that if the inventory does not exist, they can order at a moment's notice. Often getting spur of the moment requests from sailors coming in from the open ocean and docking in the Jamestown port, they know that speed, execution and commitment is the name of the game.
Their cheese and charcuterie selection and display are simply mouth watering. They also offer made to order cheese + charcuterie boards and wine pairings, catering services for events, virtual wine tastings and in store wine tastings open to the public every Friday from 5-7pm (currently on hold due to Covid).
While this boutique store is well known to the locals, I would highly recommend that anyone in the area take a trip to visit. Make a day trip of it as I did yesterday with my family…. Jamestown has so much to offer. You won’t be disappointed.
