To celebrate the opening of its new Portsmouth location, LaBelle Winery held a ribbon cutting ceremony on December 15 from 1 to 2 pm. Approximately 50 guests were present including New Hampshire State Sen. Gary Daniels (R-Milford); Sara Chaffee, owner of McGowan Fine Art in Concord, New Hampshire; and Peter Frid, president and CEO of New Hampshire Public Television. Also present were representatives of the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce: Valerie Rochon; Bill MacDonald; Joan Chawziuk; Katti Mowers; Judy Davidson and Ben VanCamp, along with friends, local business owners and members of the public.
The event started with mingling and wine and cheese sampling, followed by remarks by Amy LaBelle and Cesar Arboleda, LaBelle Winery’s owners. Arboleda thanked guests for attending and shared that the winery had recently celebrated its five-year anniversary in its Amherst, New Hampshire, location.
“We’re thrilled to now have a store in beautiful Portsmouth,”Arboleda says.
LaBelle also thanked guests for attending, including Sen. Daniels. She noted that it is because of the law that New Hampshire Gov. Christopher Sununu signed in July, allowing New Hampshire wineries to open satellite tasting locations not associated with their manufacturing sites, that LaBelle Winery was able to open its Portsmouth store.
LaBelle had a significant impact on the passing of this law. It was in large part due to her efforts that a previous statute disallowing off-site winery tasting rooms was abolished.
“New Hampshire wineries will now be able to create more jobs, and increased wine sales will help boost revenue for the state,” LaBelle says.
Sen. Daniels was instrumental in helping the new law pass.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was followed by more mingling and wine tasting.
LaBelle Winery Portsmouth is located at 104 Congress St. and is open Sunday – Wednesday, 11am – 6pm; Thursday-Saturday, 11am – 8pm. Wine tastings are available daily during business hours. The store’s phone number is (603) 319-8015.
LaBelle Winery’s original location and vineyard are located at 345 Route 101 in Amherst, New Hampshire. Open daily, 11am – 3pm Monday and Tuesday; 11am – 9pm Wednesday-Saturday; and 10am – 5pm on Sunday.
The Bistro at LaBelle Winery, also in Amherst, serves lunch and dinner as well as brunch on Sundays. The restaurant is family-friendly and offers a special menu for children.
Guided tours of the Amherst facility are offered from noon to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Call (603) 672-9898 or visit LaBelleWineryNH.com for more information.