Our Story
The story begins with a friendly dare between two neighbors in Bristol, Rhode Island -- Bob Barrow and Charles Tansey. The Dare: Can you design a tray that holds a beverage and appetizers in one hand – and can be held for longer than 10 minutes? One that you can carry at a fashionable party or a formal event?
The Dare took shape when Bob and his wife visited Tuscany and saw people using artists palettes to carry hors d’oeuvres. Because the weight is held by the wrist instead of the fingers, you can carry a palette for hours – and it looks stylish in a classic way. Over the next two years Bob and Charles developed the design of the large “Club” wine plate using the artist palette as a guide. After experimenting with ceramics and plastics, they settled on cherry, mahogany, maple and walnut hardwoods. Although designed for the “long haul” networking type of cocktail party, the majority of buyers turned out to be using them for dining on their boats. Indeed, most of the purchases are now made for recreational purposes. The wine plate has become a personal “mobile mini-table” for such activities as snow-shoeing, biking, hiking, tailgating and picnics, as well as for openings, galas, gallery tours, and garden parties.
After the large Club Wine Plate, all of the other trays Sakonnet has designed come by way of ideas and direct requests from customers. The intermediate sized Gala and Bistro plates were produced for people who wanted smaller plates for formal events like weddings where there is a sit-down dinner following cocktails. The pocket sized Pocket plate was requested by people who go to lots of parties where cocktail servingware is limited or non-existent. The Breakfast Club was designed for people who use a Yeti, Tervis, or Stanley to hold their drink. The Wine Flights were developed for some wineries who have tired of the weighty and unstable barrel stave. They designed the Couplet to satisfy (over 80!) shoppers who wanted to purchase a Sakonnet display that featured a wine plate on a pedestal.
Every new product is designed to be light, durable and elegant, while fulfilling a critical function. This is why the Artisan Wine Trays make such great gifts.
Our Towns
Bristol and Warren, Rhode Island occupy the Mount Hope peninsula above the mouth of the Sakonnet River. The lands were originally inhabited by the Wampanoag (Pokanoket) Natives. It was the Wampanoags who welcomed the Pilgrims to Plymouth. The Wampanoags were skilled craftsmen, whalers and farmers. We celebrate their farming skills every Thanksgiving. Bristol and Warren have been manufacturing towns almost since they began in the 17th Century—ships, textiles, luggage, and machined products. Bristol hasbeen a leader in making fast ships for more than 200 years. In the years following the Civil War most of the America's Cup winners were designed and built here. It remains a leader in the manufacture of boats and carbon fiber products.
As we continue to grow and expand our offerings, we remain committed to our roots, honoring the legacy of those who came before us. We make all of our products from start to finish right here in Bristol and Warren, Rhode Island. Join us in celebrating the spirit of local craftsmanship and the joy of sharing good food and drink with friends and family.
