Newagen Seaside Inn and Linekin Bay Resort were the destinations for a wine-tasting and boat cruise that took place on July 21. The Balmy Days transported attendees between the two resorts.

Beginning at 5 p.m. at Newagen, the weather cooperated, with sunshine and a cool breeze off the ocean.

Hosted by the Boothbay Region Land Trust as a fundraiser, the event, Taste for Place, went off without a hitch, according to the land trust's Development and Outreach Manager Skye Wood.

One hundred and twenty tickets, at $125 per person, were sold for the event that Wood said netted $9,385. “One hundred and twenty was just the right amount,” Wood said. “The boat was full, and the West Lodge at Linekin Bay Resort was full.”

Newagen Seaside Inn and Linekin Bay Resort Director of Sales and Marketing Cherie Scott said land trust representatives approached Scott Larson, owner of Newagen Seaside Inn and co-owner of Linekin Bay Resort, Steve Malcom, co-owner of Linekin Bay Resort, Balmy Days owner Bill Campbell, and Wine Wise Events owner, Erica Archer, about the idea for the event.

“It took off from there,” Wood said. “We contracted all of them to participate in the event, and every one of them gave us an amazing deal in order to make it happen.

“We've worked with Scott Larson for the last three years on events. He always bends over backward to be accommodating to us. We love having events at Newagen because he, and the staff, are great to work with.”

The lawn at Newagen was set up with 13 large tables with blue and white checkered tablecloths for guests. After a wine-tasting and food pairings event hosted by Archer at Newagen, with two different white wines, a brut sparkling, paired with local oysters on the half with cucumber-parsley mignonette, and a Sauvignon Blanc, served with bites of grilled swordfish with an infused olive oil, attendees sauntered down to the pier and boarded the Balmy Days for a leisurely trip to Linekin Bay Resort, where the happy 120 people enjoyed more wine and food before again boarding the Balmy Days at around 8 p.m. and heading back to Newagen.

The food at Linekin Bay Resort was a little heartier than the lighter seafood fare at Newagen. A Sangiovese Resirva was paired with venison meatballs with a red wine gastrique and fricassed white beans with fresh lemon ricotta, and a Tribute Red was served with a pork cheek barbacoa pumpkin puree.

There was also food and wine served on the Balmy Days during the cruise from Newagen to Linekin Bay. The food, from Caper's in Boothbay Harbor, was buffalo shrimp and dip with garlic crustini, gorgonzola caramelized onion tarts and a selection of mini sandwiches. The wine, selected by Archer, was a Pratsch Gruner Veltliner from Austria.

The wine-tastings were not only a sensory experience, they were an education in the appreciation of wine. Archer is a sommelier with a Certified Wine Professional award from the Culinary Institute of America.

After each attendee had been served a glass of each of the wines, she spoke about what the tasters should focus on while sipping it — the color, smell, taste and finish.

“It was a wonderful evening. I can't say enough about Erica Archer,” Wood said. “She is incredible. She knows her wine. It really was an educational evening. People said they learned a lot about wines from her.”

Event contributors were: Cash sponsors: Knickerbocker Group, Tindall & Callahan Real Estate, West Harbor Recreation, Revision Energy and Southport General Store; and in-kind contributors: Linekin Bay Resort, Newagen Seaside Inn, Maine Home & Design, Maine Magazine, Balmy Days Cruises, Central Contributors, and Wine Wise.