Life & Style ENTERTAIN

By Kayla Aucoin

By Land or By Sea

From a basket that turns into a table to grab-and-go gourmet and wine, everything you need for a picnic with panache

It’s hard to think of a better summer afternoon than drifting lazily on the water in a boat – or set up on a blanket on the grass – with good company, breathtaking views, and a warm breeze. Rhode Island is filled with picnic-perfect destinations, and a trip to Bristol and Middletown easily provides essentials for an elegant meal on the go.

Bottles of white pair nicely with a fresh loaf of blueberry bread

Pack And Play

Directly across from Independence Park in Bristol is Fenwick & Oliver, a homegoods shop curated by owners Lisa Newcity and Don Ruest, an industrious couple with a knack for entertaining. Inside, find leveled-up paper goods, boat-friendly plastic wine glasses, and the pièce de résistance – the Convertible Picnic Table Basket by F&O, handcrafted by Ruest himself. Functional, sturdy, and beautiful, load it up to carry along and then open the latches and it becomes a raised surface perfect for setting up your soiree.

Grab And Go

Anchored at an Aquidneck Island marina? With three days notice, the folks at Sweet Berry Farm in Middletown will deliver bagged lunches, platters, cookies, cupcakes, and more to you from their To Go Boat Menu. For landlubbers, picnic provisions are aplenty, including fruit and veggie platters, baked goods, meals, and more, plus bagged lunches that come with a sandwich, chips, fruit, cookie, and drink. This all happens inside a postand-beam market cafe on over 100 acres of farmland owned by Jan and Michelle Eckhard.

Sip And Shop

There are many places to buy wine, but why not go to the source? Five minutes from Sweet Berry Farm is Newport Vineyards, a popular spot for dining and drinks. Crowd pleasers include their Great White and Island White, which can be purchased along with Vidal Blanc as their Spring Sweets Trio. These sweeter white wines pair nicely with cheeses, fruits, and desserts. Place your pick in a fanciful wine bag with matching cocktail napkins for a fun centerpiece.

Rhody Resources

A handy list of brands, shops, and makers featured in this article:

AUCOIN

Featured Products: Cocktail napkins and wine bag

North Kingstown | @aucoindesigns

FENWICK & OLIVER

Featured Products: Convertible picnic basket, paper products, plastic wine glasses, Turkish towel

Bristol | @fenwick.and.oliver

NEWPORT VINEYARDS

Featured Products: Great White

Wine and Island White Wine

Middletown | @newportvines

SWEET BERRY FARM

Featured Products:

Blueberry loaf, gluten-free crackers, packaged sandwiches, tabouleh

Middletown | @sweetberryfarmri