Tomme de la Châtaigneraie

We love this one! It’s one those cheeses that quietly wins people over.

Tomme de la Châtaigneraie is a French goat’s milk cheese with a rustic, natural rind and the perfect balance of flavor. It’s creamy but still has a structure, with a gentle tang, soft nuttiness, and that clean, earthy finish that makes goat cheese so good. It’s approachable, but not boring, exactly the kind of cheese we love putting on our cheese board.

This week, we’re pairing it with two wines Gary is pouring that pair perfectly.

Poggio al Sole 2025 brings freshness and lift, playing off the cheese’s tang and creaminess.

Roseblood Rosé 2025 leans into the Spring feeling. It’s light, refreshing, and perfect with a piece of this cheese on the porch, patio, or wherever the day takes you.

Simple, bright, and really easy to love.

A Little Alfa Love…

There’s something about our 1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT Veloce that just feels right. The lines, the stance, the sound—it all comes together in a way that reminds you why you fell in love with driving in the first place.

Ours, finished simply and honestly, with a rare Golde sunroof, is the kind of car that makes you look for reasons to go out. Not because you have to… but because you want to. Windows open, sunroof back, a winding road ahead—it doesn’t take much more than that.

What makes it even better is the story behind the design. The Giulia Sprint GT was penned by a young Giorgetto Giugiaro while he was working at Bertone—just in his mid-20s at the time. There’s something about that youthful confidence that shows up in the car… clean lines, balanced proportions, nothing overdone.

It’s simple, but not easy.

With Alfa Romeo being honored at this year’s Lime Rock Historics, it feels like the perfect time to celebrate what these cars are all about. From the elegance to the edge, they’ve always carried a little bit of both.

And if you’re heading out for a drive… point it toward Kent. WKNDDRVR at 109 Cheese is the kind of place you build a route around—or the perfect place to end one. Either way, we hope you find your way here… and then back again.

Drive with intention and always take the long winding road.

Bandit’s Corner

Assistant Cheesemonger 109 Cheese & Wine

Hi friends,

Bandit Monkey Brown here.

Well… my first day on the boat did not disappoint.

I decided pretty quickly to channel my inner Otis — you know, just step into it — and before long I was riding the waves up on the engine cover… somewhere between first mate and Keanu Reeves in Point Break.

(Only… I think I pull it off better in my collar.)

We made it to the beach and I have to say… it was close to perfection.

Sand, little waves, a nice breeze… I felt like I really found my place out there.

I even got what I believe was a mini paw-pedi, which I handled like a complete professional.

After all that hard work, I settled in and watched the parents enjoy a great bottle of wine. From what I hear, it’s so good that Gary is pouring it at Saturday’s tasting.

I will also be in attendance.

Hoping… very much… that I might get a taste of something.

(Not wine — I’ve been told I’m only 22 weeks old… but I’m open to options.)

All in all…

first voyage = success.

More to come.

With wind in my ears and a pretty strong sea leg developing,

Bandit Monkey Brown 

Assistant Cheesemonger

109 Cheese & Wine

We just got one of our favorites back in…

Landrauchschinken. “LAN-drowk-shin-ken”

A traditional Alpine-style smoked ham, made the old way — gently cured, lightly smoked over wood, and aged to develop that deep flavor and beautiful texture.

It’s rich but clean, with just the right balance of smoke and salt, and that silky, melt-on-your-tongue feel when it’s sliced thin.

This is the kind of charcuterie that doesn’t need much.

A piece of bread, a simple cheese, maybe a glass of wine… and you’re there.

It comes from a long tradition of preserving meats in the mountain regions of Austria and Germany — where time, air, and smoke do most of the work.

Simple, patient, and incredibly delicious.

This Saturday in Ridgefield | 12–5 with Gary and maybe some Bandit moments too.

Gary’s leaning right into it this weekend with a lineup that fits the moment — fresh, easygoing, and made for the table… or the deck, or a picnic that turns into the afternoon.

Bisol “Crede” Prosecco from Veneto, Italy — made from Glera — starts things off with a little sparkle. Bright, crisp, and lively, with soft citrus and orchard fruit that just feels like the start of something.

Peaks & Valleys Soave 2024 from the Veneto, Italy — made from Garganega — is clean and balanced, with citrus, a touch of stone fruit, and a mineral edge that keeps everything feeling fresh and effortless.

Peyrassol Commandeurs Rosé 2025 from Provence, France — a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah — brings that classic pale, refreshing style with light red fruit and a clean, dry finish that really hits right this time of year.

Gun Bun Pinot Noir 2022 from California — Pinot Noir — rounds it out with soft red fruit, a little earth, and an easygoing style that makes it perfect with food or just on its own.

A little sparkle, a little crisp, a little rosé, a little red… everything you want as the days start to stretch and the weekends start to open up.

Perfect for the deck, easy to pack for a picnic, and even better when shared.

Come by, have a taste, and lean into the season with us.