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Fitler Vibe: Libations Edition

04.04.2021
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CHEERS! Historians guess that the toast most likely originated with the Greek libation, the custom of pouring out a portion of one’s drink in honor of the gods. From there, it was an easy step to offering a drink in honor of one’s companions. Well, Springtime cometh and with it are myriad reasons to raise a glass in a collective CHEERS to all of us. Whether you prefer a sweet sparkling wine, a savory local brew or a smooth bourbon, join us in a toast to springtime and new beginnings.

 

 

Our exclusive travel partner, Essentialist, has put together a fun-filled weekend getaway to get you inspired now that the warmer weather is upon us.

 

 

Not surprisingly, Philadelphia isn’t known for its wineries, but luckily there are several wine regions within driving distance. And as spring approaches now is the perfect time to plan a weekend winery getaway. One of our favorite wine regions is Long Island’s North Fork, 90 miles east of New York City and about four hours away from Philly. The eastern end of Long Island divides into two forks and while the south fork gets a lot of recognition for its pristine beaches and the Hamptons, the North Fork is an open secret among wine lovers and those who appreciate a more laid back environment.

 

 

Some of New York State’s best wineries are on the North Fork, and it’s easy to visit several over a weekend. Visit on your own if you have a designated driver, rent bikes, or use companies like North Fork Wine Tours to drive you between wineries. Start in Cutchogue at Lieb Cellars, which produces small-batch wines including a Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Pinot Blanc. The owners of Lieb also run the fun Bridge Lane Wine in Mattituck, which offers six wines (White Merlot, Chardonnay, Rose, Sauvignon Blanc, a sparkling, and a red blend) in formats of keg, box, cans, and bottles. The tasting room here is bright and stylish, and there’s a yard that often hosts live music.

Also in Mattituck is the biodynamic Macari Vineyards, which has flights and wines by the glass or bottle to sip while overlooking the sweeping vineyard. Sparkling wine lovers should have Sparkling Pointe on their list, a beautiful winery in Southold that produces bubbly bottles using the traditional Méthode Champenoise. The stunning tasting room has elegant crystal chandeliers and there’s an outdoor terrace serving snacks like caviar, charcuterie, and local cheeses.

Also worth a stop if you have time are standbys like 35-year-old Pindar Vineyards, 38-year-old Bedell Cellars, and the 44-year-old Lenz Winery.

 

 

Eat at restaurants like Little Creek Oyster Farm & MarketCliff’s Elbow Room, or North Fork Table & Inn and make time for a walk on the beach. The town of Greenport is lovely for a stroll—be sure to grab a cup of fresh-roasted coffee from Aldo’s and go for a ride on the antique carousel in Mitchell Park by the water. And, if you need more wine, Kontokosta Winery is also in town, and it’s the North Fork’s only waterfront winery.

Spend the night at The Menhaden, a 16-room boutique hotel in the heart of Greenport that opened in 2019. Rooms are light and airy, accented with natural wood and greenery, and the hotel boasts the only roof deck in the North Fork. There are also complimentary bikes and an electric-powered Moke car available for guests’ use.

 

ABOUT YOUR ESSENTIALIST MEMBERSHIP BENEFIT

Essentialist partnered with Fitler Club in October 2020 to offer our bespoke travel planning services to Fitler Club members. This complimentary membership is available to redeem at any time of the year and you don’t need to have a trip planned to take advantage of this benefit. Whether you are looking for a weekend away, planning a honeymoon or ready to talk about your family getaway, our travel design team and network of top travel writers are looking forward to creating unforgettable travel moments for you and your loved ones. For more information, please contact membership@essentialist.com.

 


 

 

Two Local Brothers and Their Two Locals Brews:

Brothers Mengistu and Rich Koiler are ready to shake up the Philadelphia brewing scene and we are here for it.

Fitler Club was introduced to these brewing brothers back in February at a microbrew tasting right in our very own Ballroom. The beers were delicious and the brothers were charming, so we decided we needed to learn more:

Q: What is the Two Locals Brewing origin story?
A: We are brothers. Mengistu is 10-years older and was born in Liberia. Rich is a native of Cedar Park in West Philly. We both love beer and visiting breweries. We noticed that very few of Philly’s brewers are Philadelphia natives and even fewer, if any, are Black. We saw an opportunity and started experimenting with home brews back in 2016. It has just grown from there.

Q: Tell us more about your beer menu.
A: We offer a wide variety. We have a really interesting Hazy IPA with big notes of mango nectar, guava and pineapple along with a deliciously bready and nutty American Brown Ale ale and an Oatmeal Stout that is as good as anything out there right now. Looking ahead, we have plans for a pastry stout and aspire to incorporate more ingredients from our West African and West Indian roots.

Q: Where can we find Two Locals Brews?
A: You can order through our website at twolocalsbrewing.com or through the new Fitler Bottle Shop under Fitler To-Go in the Portal!

 


 

 

Pre-pandemic, a group of Fitler Club members, led by Vetri Restaurant Group Cofounder Jeff Benjamin, traveled to Maker’s Mark distillery in Loretto, Kentucky. Their mission was simple: to blend the best signature bourbon possible and bring it back to Fitler Club for members to enjoy. Thanks to an arduous tasting session (and a little karaoke) FC 4, a Maker’s Mark Private Select bourbon, was born.

FC4 is full of flavor with a hint of spice and a bit of vanilla. Try a glass with your next meal in The Garden. It’s also great in cocktails, like The Tennessee Picnic!

The Tennessee Picnic
2.0 oz. Bourbon
0.75 oz. Blood Orange Yuzu Syrup
1.50/2.0 oz. Aquafaba
0.75 oz. Buddhahand Syrup

Combine all ingredients and ‘dry shake’ followed by an ‘ice shake’. Double Strain into a coup glass and garnish with a dehydrated spicy blood orange wedge.

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Images above: (left) The 5 wood staves that go into all Private Select mixes and (right) our barrel which was signed by everyone who was on the trip.

 

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