This marked our fifth year visiting the fabulous Vermont Cheese Festival. This year it returned to…read moreShelburne Farms south of Burlington for the first time since 2019; the most recent festival was held in Greensboro in 2023, and there was no festival in 2024. So it was a big welcome back in 2025, and the event -- held inside the newly reconstructed, enormous breeding barn at Shelburne (please see the photos) -- was quite a big deal. There were perhaps 50 or so vendors, and the general public was limited to just 1,000 tickets, which made it, unexpectedly, something of an elite event. (Tickets were sold out months in advance.) The festival offers a wonderful opportunity to meet the these dedicated craft cheesemakers and, best of all, sample their work. And wow, did we ever sample their work!!! We won't go detailing each of those cheeses, but please know there were many and not a one disappointed us. Other vendors offered everything from ciders to jams, sauces, charcuterie and -- believe it or not -- peanut butter. At a cheese festival? The atmosphere is inviting and rewarding for the makers and the public, and assembling such a large and skilled group of crafters in one place makes for an extraordinary moment. We congratulate the executive director of the cheese council, Hale, who did a splendid job. A couple of small issues for us: while there were a few chairs outside the barn there was almost no seating at all inside, and there was space which could have been worked fine, we think. And after a hour of walking around, a sitting break could have felt good. Also, there were food trucks selling ice cream, Indian food, cookies from King Arthurs, but they were placed placed pretty far from the barn, requiring a bit of walking. We also enjoyed the band playing outside, but they too were a bit moved from everything else. And then, it was hot -- near 90, but that's just the way it was. And for attendees, it was clearly not the temps defined this dazzling event. We're ready for 2026!

My wife and I recently had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Vermont Cheesemakers Festival as…read morevolunteers a couple of weekends ago. We had signed up to help and it turned out to be so much more than just service. Right off the bat, the food was extraordinary, what a spectacular showcase of Vermont's artisanal cheese scene! Samples ranged from classic cheddars to Gouda to pepper jack, all crafted by passionate local cheesemakers. We also discovered delightful pairings, cheese and jam was a Hit; I wasn't expecting it, but "jam is my jam," as one participant aptly put it. lol As for service, the volunteer coordination was seamless. Helping vendors set up before the crowds arrived gave us a chance to chat with cheesemakers, learn about each cheese's story, and feel truly connected to their craft. The staff were friendly, organized, and the energy was warm and welcoming. The ambiance was downright charming. Set at historic Shelburne Farms' Breeding Barn, the festival unfolded on a perfect summer day - sunny, scenic, and relaxed. It felt like celebrating cheese right in the heart of verdant Vermont, complete with the buzz of fellow cheese lovers, artisan vendors, and farm surroundings. A bit of history: This year marked the 13th Annual Vermont Cheesemakers Festival, hosted by the Vermont Cheese Council at Shelburne Farms. The festival is rooted in Vermont's rich artisanal cheese tradition, highlighting how the state leads the nation in cheesemakers per capita. It originally began as a celebration of the state's cheesemaking success a sort of "cheese carnival" introducing the public to local producers and their craft. Notably, this year's event was completely sold out tickets were snapped up well in advance, and none were available at the door. Even the general admission waitlist was full, and volunteer slots had closed early too. This level of demand speaks volumes about how beloved and highly anticipated, the festival has become. Volunteering at the Vermont Cheesemakers Festival was a fantastic decision. The combination of exceptional cheese, purposeful and friendly service, and a picturesque setting made for a memorable afternoon. It's clear why this sold-out event has become a beloved summer tradition. We'll definitely be back, with or without volunteer duties to savor more of what Vermont's incredible cheesemakers have to offer!

great market and deli It's like an old fashioned general…read morestore We will stop by again when we are in the area !

Based on good reviews, we stopped for lunch at 12:20 on. Friday. The prep woman was washing a large…read morebin in the large sink. After a few minutes of washing, she took our order for two sandwiches. Then she proceeded to make them without washing or changing her cleaning gloves. If this isn't a health violation it should be. It took her 20 minutes to make our two sandwiches, while others were lining up behind us. Lots of turkey on a good white roll. Two good slices of tomato. A few pieces of onion. Green peppers sliced a half inch thick that wouldn't stay in the roll. Half a romaine leaf and too much mayo, even though I asked for very light on the mayo. Please wash and dry your hands or gloves before you make my food.

TLDR: A Cheese lovers dream. ___…read more On my trip to Burlington, VT I knew we had to stop here. I've had a few of their cheeses and absolutly loved them. This was actually the first stop of the cheese tour. Walking in, the place is more of an office, than a factory. Their production is done elsewhere. Out of all the creameries we visited you could tell this was hands down the most professional and polished opperation. The receptionist at the front welcomed us with, "Hey! You guys here for some cheese?" Why yes, yes we are. She told us she'd be right back and returned with the most wonderful cheese board I have ever seen. Amazing samples! Various cheeses, butter and creme fraiche She showed us a price sheet and we went a little crazy. We bought a ton of cheese, butter and creme. It was actually super affordable since you saved on markup of retail price and shipping. We had an epic cheese night with friends when we returned home and I made the most incredible dessert with strawberries and the creme fraiche. The only thing that didn't make it home was the ash rippened cheese, which was so stinky I couldn't risk it stinking up my clothes, but one of the most delicious cheeses you will ever try!

Very good cheese all around! There is no doubt that this creamery makes some fantastic goat cheese…read more This is especially true due to there being very few goat cheese options in my city of Pittsburgh beyond the standard supermarket brand. This cheese doesn't taste like foodservice. It takes like genuinely delicious artisan cheese. As far as I know, this particular location on Yelp is not open to the public. Maybe it was at one point, but newer reviews point to it being closed now. So I probably wouldn't recommend making the drive here just for some free samples, especially considering the cheese isn't expensive anyway. I was able to acquire some from a local Aldi for just a few dollars ($3-4, I believe). I was quite blown away. The cheese is so creamy and all around perfect. No grittiness, perfectly pure flavor that truly makes it feel like an upscale experience. This particular cheese is a dip, but I ate it straight from the container because that's how good it is. Plus, it's also quite light! 45 calories for 2 tablespoons, and around 250 for the entire container! I will say, though, it's tough to get your hands on this product sometimes. All in all, I highly recommend giving the Vermont Creamery's cheeses a try. The goat cheese dip is fantastic, and I enjoyed it straight out of the container. I'm sure their other products are just as delicious, and they make for a great gift, appetizer, or snack.

Vermont Beer Collective is a craft beer specialty store that opened in Waterbury, Vermont in…read moreFebruary 2024. It was founded by husband and wife Nate and Liz Dunbar. The shop on 3 Elm Street had originally opened under the name 'Craft Beer Cellar' in December 2013. It was part of the 'Craft Beer Cellar' chain of specialty beer stores that was founded by Suzanne Schalow and Kate Baker in 2010 with the opening of their flagship store in Belmont (MA). Two years later, they began franchising and at the chain's peak they had 33 locations in 15 states. Mark Drutman was the original owner of the Waterbury location. By 2019, CBC locations began to close (including the flagship location which closed in 2023). After the Dunbars made their home in Vermont, they decided to switch craft beer from their hobby into their livelihood. Drutman sold the Waterbury CBC to the Dunbars in May 2023. They slowly began to make the shop their own and by the following year they left the franchise and unveiled a new logo and a new name. The Vermont Beer Collective now has one of the best craft beer selections that can be found in the state. The Dunbars even added a bar in the store where customers can sample beer from 8 taps as well as a three-tap LUKR faucet from the Czech Republic. The couple also have a love for hiking, skiing and cycling and hope to make their shop a venue for the outdoor sports community to gather. I recently visited the Vermont Beer Collective while I was on a Vermont craft beer road trip. It's conveniently located right across the street from the popular Prohibition Pig Restaurant & Brewery. After enjoying some delicious smoked meat and a pint there, I headed across the street to check out the shop. I was really impressed by their selection! They had offerings from the best breweries in Vermont, around the country, and even breweries from the international scene. We're talking the best of the best! The bar was also really cool! The place is not just a shop where you can buy beer but also a place where you can hang out. I spoke for a few minutes with owner Nate Dunbar. He was really friendly and he told me that he's originally from my home state of Connecticut. He explained that the store had about $25,000 of flood damage in their basement just weeks after they bought it, but they pressed on. He told me about the future plans that he has for the shop and seemed very optimistic. Before leaving, I purchased a coveted bottle by Belgian-based Brouwerij 3 Fonteinen to take home. I'm happy to have discovered the shop and I wish them all the best!

Best place I've ever found for buying great beer. They have a large selection of excellent beers,…read morebut most importantly their staff is remarkably helpful. Just tell them what style of beer you like, or which beers you usually drink, and they can provide numerous recommendations. They were also very knowledgeable about beer in general, proving to be an invaluable resource to help you find some good beers to try. In particular I wanted to sample some local beers, and I loved all of the options they recommended based on my flavor preference. If you're anywhere near Waterbury, VT, and enjoy good beer, do yourself a favor and stop by the Craft Beer Cellar for some great beer recommendations.

Such an incredible spot for hot donuts, cold-pressed cider, and creemees with crispy maple…read moresprinkles on top. Best donuts I've had in ages. The cider is the best I've ever had, so refreshing. Delicious creemees. Charming gift shop. Tons of picnic tables outside. Adorable and a must-go. 5 stars!!!

Cold Hollow large gift shop, bakery and delicious apple cider. The Gift shop was packed. They bring…read morebus loads of guests in. Too commercialized for me. We purchased a half dozen donuts which were fresh however had no flavor. They have a cafe on the other side of the gift shop. Tremendous amount of parking in the back. If you're in the area stop in.

I love this place but, man, does the deli counter dude hate everyone or just me? I'm trying to…read morefigure out why he barked at me within .2 seconds-- so much attitude and disdain. Gross. I will support this place forever, you are an island in a desert, but take a look at your customer service. Fishhook-in-baseball-cap guy could use some guidance, he's not doing you any favors. Five stars, regardless.

Great market in the area. They offer so many different items that you can't find many other places…read morelocally. I was making an Asian dish and they were the only place that had fish sauce! I have also tried their deli sandwiches. Highly recommend any of them! I reached out to their customer service via the email address they had online. I saw that they had a sandwich that paid an homage to the Vietnamese Banh Mi, but incorrectly spelled "Bhan" Mehuron. The owner reached back out to me via email the very next day. We had a great conversation and he stated that they will look into correcting the misspelling. It warms my heart to have my culture's food be shared within this community and it's wonderful to see an owner really take pride in what they offer. Great customer service and inventory. I highly recommend and will be back anytime I am in the area.

Good food, healthy options. However the bright lights are not to my liking. Service is mid quality,…read morefriendly but not always reliable.

In 35 years of grocery shopping, never before I have I ever seen a check out employee literally…read morestand there and stare at me as I had to bag all $350 worth of merchandise on my own, taking ten minutes myself. He wouldn't even pick up a bag to hand it to me. I'm a good customer and not really overly judgmental, but this is over the top ridiculous. Will never return.

We stayed for one night and had a pleasant stay. The venue is nice, but on a busy road. The traffic…read morenoice pretty much stopped by 8 pm, and then was very peaceful. The grandkids came and we made s'mores on a propane fire ring. The dogs loved walking the pathways! We will stop there again!

Went to the vineyard on a whim and it did not disappoint. Starting with the wines, they could be…read morehit or miss. It really depends on your palette, and you have to understand that the grapes local to the area will not be your typical grapes. My family got flights, both sweet and dry. We really liked the 2023 Louise and 2022 Marquette. In fact, the Marquette was the best of the bunch from my point of view. The ciders were both really sweet, but the Eden Angeljus was pretty good and reminiscent of Mead. The Riesling was also a favorite. We got a cheeseboard for two, and that was freaking delicious. It came with a maple cranberry preserve that was out of this world. But the cheese, and even the crackers, were exceptionally good, too. Beyond that, the service was exemplary. Ruby in particular was a joy to talk to and quite good at her job. Finally, the live music they had playing was surprisingly good. I did not expect that kind of quality on a random Saturday in May. I highly recommend going to this winery.