What are the chances that a winery would open on March 29, 2008, on the Washington coast and twelve years later be celebrating that anniversary with the groundbreaking for the world’s first International Mermaid Museum to be built on the winery grounds? The chances are not just excellent, they are extraordinary. Especially since March 29 is International Mermaid Day. The ground-breaking will take place at 10am on March 29 at Westport Winery Garden Resort, halfway between Aberdeen and Westport. The specials celebrating the winery’s anniversary will run from 8am to 8pm.
Westport Winery, known for its being one of the top ten platinum award-winning wineries in the Northwest, is diving into this new project with both fins. The winery’s founders, Blain and Kim Roberts, previously owned Lahaina Divers on Maui. Along with their adult children they have grown this remote winery into a highly visited destination resort. The property is home to Westport Winery, Ocean’s Daughter Distillery, and the Sea Glass Grill, all amidst 15-acres of display gardens featuring over 80 outdoor sculptures by local artists.
Westport Winery donates a portion of the proceeds from each wine to different local charities, to date contributing over $500,000 to their community. This is just one reason they were honored as one of the top twenty most-admired wineries in North America by Winery & Vineyard Management Magazine.
At the recent opening of their latest venture, Ocean’s Daughter Distillery, the Roberts family announced that their distilled spirits will benefit the first International Mermaid Museum, a project they are spearheading. Kim Roberts said, “We want to teach ocean ecology from seashore to sea floor immersed in mermaid mythology.” She is the artist behind the forty mermaid labels in the distillery where they craft vodka, gin, whiskey, agave spirits, rum, liqueur and brandy.
Her husband Blain, a long-time underwater photographer is contributing much of the material for the museum’s backdrops. “We have had the luxury of living our lives on and under the sea. We want to share this special environment with others.”
In addition to the museum ground-breaking, guests will enjoy special discounts on all mermaid selections including: Mermaids on Horseback (bacon-wrapped prawns with pineapple horseradish glaze) in the Sea Glass Grill; Mermaid Merlot by the glass or bottle in either of Westport Winery’s tasting rooms (Aberdeen, Washington and Seaside, Oregon); all the spirits at Ocean’s Daughter Distillery; and all mermaid-themed products in the gift shops.
The International Mermaid Museum is a non-profit organization. The board of directors (a group of mermaids is known as a gossip) is seeking mermaid memorabilia and ocean ecology artifacts to include in their museum exhibits. If you have items that you think might be appropriate to donate and display at the museum, please contact Kim Roberts. Her email is kim@westportwinery.com.
Celebrate International Mermaid Day at Westport Winery Garden Resort, located halfway between Aberdeen and Westport in coastal Washington State. In Oregon, the family operates Westport Winery Seaside, Seaside Kites and Westport Winery Seaside Retreat. Information on these ventures is online at www.westportwinery.com.