Alex and Ani, an eco-friendly Cranston jewelry manufacturer, purchased Sakonnet Vineyards in Little Compton for $8.5 million. The 170-acre purchase also includes 70 acres of nearby land. Alex and Ani was founded in 2004 offering lifestyle, jewelry products made of recycled materials and manufactured in the United States. Giovanni Feroce, Alex and Ani CEO, said in a news release that “Sakonnet Vineyards represents a true Rhode Island success story. Since its founding in 1975, the winery has experienced impressive growth and has become an industry standard of excellence for the entire New England region. All of us at Alex and Ani are excited about taking Sakonnet Vineyards to the next level of achievement.” The vineyard purchase represents as a “major re-investment in our local economy and community,” said Feroce. Wine production from Sakonnet Vineyards has steadily climbed to over 30,000 cases bottled annually.