Couch + cork

04/03/2025

We are proud to support our friends at Billsville House Concerts. They host exceptional musicians and 100% of what they charge for tickets goes to the artist. Great people, great music and great times!

Thanks to our latest sponsor, ! couch + cork creates engaging, approachable virtual not-just-wine experiences that bring people together – no snobbery allowed! Whether you’re a wine lover or just getting started, their expert-led tastings make learning about food and beverage fun and accessible. Now offering mixology, graze board and paint ‘n sip experiences, too!

04/03/2025

Last night’s adventures in graze boards + champagne:
brut cuvée 🍎🍐🥐
Clothbound cheddar 🧀
Marieke Gouda 🧀
Holy Cow beef sticks
Sahli olives 🫒
spiced pecans
Zzang bar
All the above snacks lovingly boxed and shipped by our friends at

Added bits and bobs like honey (with thyme), dried apricots and cranberries, chicklets, gummy bears.

Nothing is better than a board that shows of a good wine and a wine that shows off delicious treats.

What are you inspired to put on your next board?

03/19/2025

Ever wonder how wine gets its color? 🍷

Most people assume red wine comes from the juice of red grapes and white wine comes from the juice of white grapes. But here’s the twist: all grape juice is clear. The color comes from the skins!

✔️ Red wine gets its deep hues from extended contact with the grape skins.
✔️ Rosé gets its pink blush from just a short soak.
✔️ White wine can even be made from red grapes—hello, Blanc de Noirs – Champagne made from 100% Pinot Noir!
✔️ And of course there's orange wine - which gets its rich hues from soaking white wine grapes longer than usual, more like a red wine.

👀 Mind blown? Next time you sip, take a moment to appreciate how much a grape’s skin influences the wine in your glass!

💬 What’s a wine fact that surprised you? Drop it in the comments!

03/17/2025

Yesterday, Nancy tasted with a fun group of 11, exploring wines from Portugal and Spain. This, of course, included a conversation about Vinho Verde and it's pronunciation – something the group seemed to really appreciate.

Words matter. Pronouncing names correctly isn’t about being pretentious, it’s about being respectful.

In the wine world, we often hear mispronunciations dismissed as unimportant. But many names carry cultural history, colonial weight, and deep significance. Choosing to pronounce “Vinho Verde” as veengyo vaird (Portuguese) instead of veenyo vair-day (Spanish) isn’t about gatekeeping: it’s about acknowledging the language and people behind the wine.

Vinho Verde is a Portuguese wine. Portugal won its independence from Spain, and so we should use the pronunciation its makers do!

🌎 Learning how to say things correctly is an act of respect, not snobbery.

💬 Are there any names you’ve learned to pronounce more intentionally?

Drop them below!

03/13/2025

🚨 Allyship Is More Than a Pink Ribbon 🚨

March is Women’s History Month, so let’s talk about what real allyship looks like.

That's right, this woman-owned and -staffed biz is going off topic. Again!

It’s easy to show support in symbolic ways, but real change happens in the small, everyday actions that make workplaces and industries more equitable for women.

💡 Here are a few things men can do to be better allies:
✔ Take Notes (Literally) – If you’re in a meeting, you offer to be the notetaker. Women have been expected to do this forever. Step up.
✔ Stop the “Are You Sure?” Reflex – If you wouldn’t second-guess a man, don’t do it to us.
✔ Drop the Gendered Language – No more “ladies” or “the fairer sex.” Just use our names.
✔ Ask Us Real Questions – Instead of defaulting to personal-life assumptions (“Do you have kids?”), ask us the same things you’d ask men: “What’s your latest project?” “Tried any great restaurants lately?”
✔ Don’t “Single Dad” Yourself Into a Hero – If you had your kids for the weekend, you were simply parenting.

🔹 The bottom line: Allyship is about action, not optics.

💬 Women, what’s something you wish men understood? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

03/12/2025

As our community mourns this tremendous tragedy we're stepping away from our usual content to remind you to take time to come up with a safety plan. Whether you live alone, with roomates, family and/or pets, it's vital that you think of how you're going to get everyone out, safely, no matter the day, time or circumstances.

MANCHESTER — The time is now to build your EDITH (exit drills in the home) plan and check your smoke detectors, advised Second Assistant Chief of the Manchester Fire Department

03/07/2025

🚨 PSA for wine lovers! 🚨

Want exclusive wine tips, first dibs on special events, and insider offers? 🍷✨ Our next email goes out at 4 pm – make sure you're on the list so you don’t miss the next one!

Sign up and get:
✅ Wine education straight to your inbox
✅ Special discounts & early access to events
✅ Fun, approachable wine content—no snobbery, just great wine!

📩 Sign up here → https://mailchi.mp/b5ec297b2b67/scribbles-jots-newsletter-signup

👀 Already on the list? Tell us—what’s been your favorite tip or event so far? 👇

03/07/2025

Great news for Vermont!

A Vermont program is making it easier for survivors of domestic violence or others to stay safe by allowing people to register for a substitute address.

03/06/2025

If you want wine and food recs, recipes, advance notice of events and exclusive offers, and so much more make sure to sign up for our email newsletter - first of the year will be in your inbox tomorrow!

03/06/2025

Local friends, check this out!

📢 Calling All Survivors and Allies! 📢
This April, for Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we are enhancing our annual Clothesline Project with a new way to share stories and amplify voices. We invite you to participate in this traveling art display, a powerful testament to survivors of sexual abuse and child abuse.
✨ How You Can Participate:
- **Create a T-shirt**: Pick up a t-shirt kit from the bin on our front porch at 129 Elm Street. Decorate it with your story or a message of support.
- **Share Your Story**: Submit your story in writing or as an audio clip. Email your submissions to [email protected]. Written stories and decorated shirts can also be deposited in the drop box on our porch anytime up to March 24th.
🔊 **New This Year**: We are adding storytelling to enhance the display and visitors' experience. A QR code at the site will guide visitors to our website, where they can listen to soundbites of stories shared by survivors.
Your story has the power to inspire and impact others. Join us in making a difference. Let's stand together, share our stories, and create a powerful voice against abuse.

03/01/2025

Exitstential.

02/26/2025

We are SO PROUD of Kaiya for who she is, how hard she works, and how much she serves her community.

BENNINGTON — The Board of Directors of Bennington Theater has appointed Kaiya Kirk as its new executive director, effective immediately. Kirk has been serving as interim director since January 2025,

02/23/2025

We're considering adding virtual events that are ticketed instead of requiring you to get a group together. Think tastings, paint and sips, and charcuterie-board design. What say you all?

02/19/2025

"Where's Kaiya?"

It's a frequently-asked question these days around couch + cork world headquarters.

We are thrilled to share that Kaiya has been named Interim Executive Director of Bennington Theater. There is something SO satisfying about seeing someone get to put their degree to use after earning it and we could not be more proud of Kaiya's stepping into this new role at the helm of the theater.

Kaiya is leading a talented young staff, working on incredible programming, engaging with the community and so much more. She's still on our calendar and knows she always has a spot leading tastings when she misses it.

If you're interested in supporting Kaiya in her new endeavor, or would like to thank her for a great experience you had with her at couch + cork her current fundraising goal is $50,000 for the Mainstage Makeover campaign. Any and all donations are appreciated! >> https://givebutter.com/GqBgn9

02/17/2025

canvas + cork, our take on paint ‘n sip, is the perfect virtual event for bringing people together for a night of creativity, laughs and learning.

Select the painting you’d like to do and we handle the rest. All participants receive a lovingly-packed kit with the paints, brushes, canvass, workspace cover, palette, and even a paper towel on which to set your brushes. We even send the wine!

Your guests just need to grab a cup of water.

DM us to learn more about this fun twist on our usual events!



Would you try a virtual painting event with your friends at couch + cork.

02/06/2025

We are thrilled to share that both Eva and Casey have passed their WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 1 in Wines! Here's Casey's certificate and Eva's headshot from a recent event in January!

01/26/2025

On 1/11, Nancy and Eva attended ’s Leading Ladies of Retail event in NYC, a leadup to .

In addition to Nancy introducing the wine and talking a little about entrepreneurship in rural America, she was asked to put together a door prize.

Here’s the Discover Bennington County Gift Basket, valued at $234:

watercolor bird notecards
hammered gold hoop earrings
shampoo & conditioner bar
green jade earrings
maple shortbread
candle (thanks to for recommending this and selling us your last one!)
logo tea towels
everything bagels
N/A beverages

Non-Vermont but awesome: signed bottle of sparkling wine.

couch + cork is always proud to show off where we live, work and play!

01/25/2025

Did we come back to because we were sent this photo of Blanche Ivory after one of our virtual charcuterie + champagne classes?

Of course we did!

Check her and her friends out 🐾