Greetings from the Great January Cold Snap!
We spent last weekend at the Albany Food & Wine Festival, taking notes and finding inspiration in how other events like this come together. And now it’s back to a week full of meetings…planning for this year's event and mapping out what comes next. It's all the work that happens behind the scenes, but it's also when the most interesting ideas start taking shape.
If you've been doing any planning of your own lately—vacations, summer weekends, anything that doesn’t involve a shovel or snow blower—we hope you’re putting lots of good things in place for the months ahead.
January, for all its downside, is actually when a lot of good things get set in motion.
ON THE MENU…
Starters
Bites & Bottles: 10 Romantic Date Night Restaurants
Tastemakers: Tony O’Rourke
The Long Pour: Red Wine with Seafood? But Of Course…!
What’s On
STARTERS…
We came across a quick video this week that perfectly captures late January: two elegant older women are at lunch, wine bottles on the table, and one says to the other. "I'm just waiting for someone to invent protein wines, so my fitness journey can really take off." Then they both laugh hysterically.
This is the week where Dry January officially ends, gym memberships are being questioned, and a lot of people are trying to figure out how to be both healthy and sane. The truth is, most of us aren't interested in extremes. We just want to feel good, enjoy what we're eating and drinking, and not agonize over every choice.
So if you stuck with Dry January all month…congrats! That's genuinely impressive. And if you didn't? That's fine too. February 1st is just as good a day as any other to reset, recalibrate, or just pour yourself a glass of something you've been missing.
Now, let’s go have that cocktail.
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Two quick reminders while we're thinking about good things ahead:
We're drawing the winner of our giveaway for two tickets to Burlington Wine & Food on January 31…so if you've been meaning to share your unique referral link (at the bottom of this email) with your wine loving friends, family and colleagues, now's the time. Every new subscriber coming from your link gets you an entry into the drawing!
Our ticket discount for early birds ($10 off Session One tickets) also ends on January 31. If you've been thinking about June, this is a good week to put it on the calendar…summer always arrives faster than you think it will.
BITES + BOTTLES
Valentine's Day is around the corner, but let's be honest…any night can be date night when you've got the right spot. Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, a first date, or just want an excuse to get out of the house and into something other than sweatpants, Burlington has plenty of restaurants that deliver on romance.
We're talking about great wine lists, menus made for sharing, soft lighting and spaces that let you have a conversation. Some are classic and elegant, some are cozy and intimate, and simply have that indefinable “something.”
Frankie’s in downtown Burlington
Here are our top 10 picks for a romantic night out…
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If you’ve ever wondered what “food as medicine” actually looks like in practice, our friends at Common Roots are making it tangible. Each week, their Wellness Wednesday meals — like organic chicken taco bowls built around fresh, seasonal ingredients — are designed to nourish while reinforcing access to good food for everyone. These are well-prepared meals that reflect what happens when nutrition and community happen side by side.
Taco bowls at Common Roots
Meals are available to order weekly from their location on Dorset Street, making it easy for anyone to participate while supporting their broader mission. Beyond the plate, their work spans organic farming, nutrition education, and food access initiatives that support families, schools, and local food shelves across Chittenden County…exactly why we’ve been proud to support them as our Burlington Wine & Food beneficiary for the past several years.
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Did you know there was such thing as gluten-free, vegan cheesecake? Neither did we…until we met Vermont Cheeseless at BWF last summer. We were genuinely surprised by how rich, creamy, and satisfying they are, without dairy or gluten anywhere in sight. These are indulgent, thoughtfully made desserts that don’t feel like a compromise, whether you follow a plant-based diet or not.
Vermont Cheeseless cheesecake
Now they’re taking the next step and moving into their own space in Middlebury, marking an exciting moment for a Vermont food business built on curiosity, craft, and care. It’s a reminder that some of the most interesting things happening in our local food scene come from people rethinking things creatively…and doing it well.
TASTEMAKERS: TONY O’ROURKE
Each week, we feature three quick questions with someone bringing something creative, thoughtful, or fascinating to the food and wine scene here in Vermont and beyond.
This week, we caught up with Tony O’Rourke, founder of Iron Wolf Wines, National Sales Manager of Owen Roe Estate, and founding partner/National Sales Manager of Rocks of Bawn winery. Previously, Tony has worked on all sides of the business, from wholesale wine sales to managing restaurants, giving him a rare perspective on the wine world.
Tony O’Rourke
Read the full interview, including Tony’s take on what buyers care about now, why traditional still matters, and what keeps him optimistic about the future of wine…
THE LONG POUR:
RED WINE WITH SEAFOOD? BUT OF COURSE…!
by Mike Stolese
The old adage of white wine with fish & red wine with meat is just that…old.
Now, if we are talking baked haddock or any white fish, a nice, light-bodied, acidic, white such as a Gruner Veltliner, Albarino, or Sauv Blanc might be the way to go.
That being said, the last 20 years have seen some major changes in how fish is prepared.
WHAT’S ON…
Here’s this week’s short list of food and drink things worth making time for…
This Saturday morning, January 31, is a good excuse to head to down Route 7. The Shelburne Winter Farmers Market runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. historic Town Hall, bringing local producers, baked goods, prepared foods, and pantry staples indoors for the season. It’s an nice and relaxing place to wander, whether you’re shopping with intent or just seeing what looks good.
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The Snow Moon offers a unique reason to head to North Hero for Kraemer & Kin brewery’s wood-fired sauna session on Sunday, February 1, in collaboration with Northern Kin Sauna. Enjoy the focus on taking your time moving between heat, cold dipping and rest. One-hour sessions are $25 and require advance booking.
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Yes, Queen City Brewery has great beer…but on Sunday afternoon, that’s not the main attraction. Get your tickets for their Valentine’s Day cookie-decorating class with Laura’s Cookies. You’ll enjoy a goodie bag, a drink ticket, five decorated cookies and a better handle on fancy icing.
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Salt & Bubbles turns its attention to the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy on Monday, February 2, with an class focused on how the region eats and drinks. Wines are paired with the foods they’re traditionally served alongside, so the experience feels more like a table than a tasting lineup. Tickets are required.
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Tuesday night, February 4, brings a wine bar takeover at La Reprise with Valerie Masten of The Rare Wine Company. The format is casual and bar-driven, with bottles chosen to be poured by the glass and talked about as the night unfolds. Come for a glass, stay for dinner, or just get curious about what’s open.
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Valentine’s planning gets a head start at Standing Stone Wines on Saturday, February 7, with a BIPOC Valentine’s Artist Market from noon to 5 p.m. Five local artists and makers will be set up with handmade goods, making this a good stop if you want something personal without waiting until the last minute. Plus…cake and wine!
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That same day, Village Wine & Coffee in Shelburne marks its 21st anniversary with a tasting featuring Michele d’Aprix. Michele is a winemaker and importer known for her work in Bordeaux, and both she and her wines reflect that perspective…lovely, thoughtful, and worth spending some time with.
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Poorhouse Pies is taking orders now for Valentine’s Day pickups, and their offerings go well beyond dessert. In addition to a “Love” Very Berry Pie, raspberry cheesecake and chocolate-dipped strawberries, they’re offering full-on dinner options like Beef Wellington for two and a Delicata Wellington if you’re keeping it vegetarian. Everything is preorder only, and this is very much a plan-ahead situation. Order soon!
Before we go…be sure to mark your calendars for December 5th.
Why, you ask? Well, we just stumbled upon something delightful: Repeal Day.
While everyone's out here white-knuckling through Dry January, there are those planning for next December 5th…celebrating the anniversary of the end of Prohibition.
We may have missed it this year (we were too busy actually enjoying wine to notice), but 2026? We'll be ready. Because if there's one thing worth celebrating, it's the constitutional right to a good drink.
With 25K followers on Instagram already on board, we're clearly not alone in this mission.
Consider this your 11-month heads up. 🥂