Marzae Cellar + Provisions Opens at Boston Public Market

Earlier this year, it was reported that the people the first and only natural winery in Massachusetts would be bringing a tasting room to downtown Boston, and now we have learned that it is up and running. 

According to a press release, Marzae Cellar + Provisions has soft-opened at Boston Public Market, with the place having nearly 100 seats including full-service dining tables, lounge areas, and bar seating and offering natural wines, aperitifs, and seasonal dishes with locally-sourced ingredients, including both small and large plates. (A retail section is also within the space, selling such options as chocolates, cheeses, charcuterie, vinegars, hot sauces, bitters, and shrubs.)

Husband-and-wife team Eliot Martin and Kate Lucai are behind Marzae, which started out in Acton in 2023.

The website for Marzae is at https://www.marzaewine.com/

[Earlier Article]
Marzae Cellar + Provisions Plans to Open at Boston Public Market

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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Marzae Cellar + Provisions Plans to Open at Boston Public Market

The people behind a suburban winery that is the only natural winery in Massachusetts will be bringing a tasting room to downtown Boston. 

According to multiple sources, Marzae Cellar + Provisions is going to be opening at Boston Public Market, with an Instagram post from BPM saying that it "will bring a vibrant new tasting room to the Market—featuring natural wines, aperitifs, non-alcoholic beverages, and seasonal food rooted in New England's agricultural traditions" while the Instagram page for the Acton-based Marzae mentions that "Whether you're stopping by for a casual glass of wine after work or joining us for an intimate, chef-driven dinner at the 'Kitchen Counter,' we look forward to welcoming you into the Marzae family at our new space." Marzae also says that the new concept will have farm-to-table bites and seasonal tasting menus, a shop with New England provisions, sustainable wine on draft, and non-alcoholic options. If all goes as planned, Marzae Cellar + Provisions will open sometime this spring.

Husband-and-wife team Eliot Martin and Kate Lucai opened Marzae in 2023, with the facility being hidden away in an industrial park off Route 62. Its website can be found at https://www.marzaewine.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Debevino Winery in Walpole Reopens for Tastings on April 17

A suburban winery that debuted shortly before the coronavirus outbreak forced it to spend much of the past year in a partial hibernation is getting ready to open its patio for tastings and more.

According to a press release, Debevino Winery in Walpole is planning to reopen for outdoor tastings on Saturday, April 17, with live music included along with wine and wine slushies--and charcuterie and snacks via Antonia's Italian Cuisine. The release mentions that a tent will also be set up next month that will allow for additional shaded seating and that it will be available for private events and parties.

For now, hours for the patio at Debevino Winery will be Saturdays from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM and Sundays from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

The address for Debevino Winery is 2255 Providence Highway (Route 1), Walpole, MA, 02081. The website for the business is at https://www.debevino.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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The Uncertainty of Phase 4 and How It Creates a Nightmarish Situation for Certain Bars and Clubs in Massachusetts

Earlier this week, Phase 2 of the reopening of the Massachusetts economy began, allowing restaurants to open their outdoor areas with those without outdoor sections needing to wait until Step 2 of Phase 2, which begins at an as-of-yet undecided date. As mentioned earlier, bars with kitchens and breweries, wineries, and beer gardens with seated food service are also able to open in Phase 2 as well (outdoor areas can open now and indoor areas in Step 2), but bars without kitchens and nightclubs/dance clubs will have to wait until Phase 4. Since each phase is seen as lasting at least three weeks, that would make it seem that, assuming Phase 3 begins on June 29, Phase 4 could begin on July 20, but it now appears less and less likely that this will be the case--and the start of Phase 4 might actually not happen for a very long time, potentially putting some bars and many clubs in jeopardy.

Based on a discussion with Craig Sandler of the State House News Service and an email sent from a source in the restaurant/bar industry, bars with no food service and clubs could technically not be able to open for months, possibly pushing their openings all the way back into 2021 because, according to a download within the state's website, Phase 4 is expected to happen when "Development of vaccines and / or treatments enable resumption of 'new normal'." Bars had actually been in Phase 3--and are still shown in Phase 3 in this download--but they have since been moved to Phase 4, joining nightclubs and dance clubs.

So what does this mean for those businesses that aren't allowed to reopen until Phase 4? For those bars with no kitchens, the solution could be a simple one in which they apply for a common victualler license which would hopefully be fast-tracked by the cities/towns, and even serving items as simple and basic as sandwiches, pretzels, or mozzarella sticks might be enough to bring them into Phase 2. For at least some nightclubs and dance clubs, however, the situation could be more complicated, as they might not have the setup for food service, which may force them to reconcept their spaces--or simply wait until Phase 4 and hope for a vaccine and/or therapeutic to come soon.

Breweries, wineries, and beer gardens without seated food service seem like they could pivot more easily into food service since most reside in facilities with a lot of space, and because food trucks are enough to bring the businesses into Phase 2 as long as the breweries, wineries, and beer gardens have seated food service, this might not be a difficult problem to solve, depending on how amenable the communities are when it comes to food permits.

It appears that Phase 4 could be modified at some point depending on public health guidance moving forward, but because this is by no means written in stone, bars, clubs, breweries, wineries, and beer gardens probably should assume the worst here and act as needed to try to find a way to move into Phase 2.

[Earlier Articles]
A Bit More Information on the Reopening of Bars, Breweries, and Wineries in Massachusetts
Reopening of Bars in Massachusetts Has Been Pushed Back to Phase 4 -- But What Constitutes a Bar?

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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A Bit More Information on the Reopening of Bars, Breweries, and Wineries in Massachusetts

Over the weekend, Governor Charlie Baker announced that Phase 2 of the reopening of the Massachusetts economy would begin today, with restaurants that have outdoor dining areas being able to open them up, and all indoor dining areas eventually being able to open whenever Step 2 of Phase 2 commences. (Restaurants with no outdoor sections can continue to do takeout/delivery until Step 2.) There has been some confusion as to where this leaves bars and other businesses that are focused on alcohol, but some of this has now been cleared up.

Based on information that comes in part from several sources--and one source in particular who receives updates from the state--bars with kitchens and outdoor areas are also allowed to open outdoor sections today as part of Phase 2, and the same goes for breweries and wineries that have seated food service. (Bars with kitchens but no outdoor areas have to wait until Step 2.) We have learned that such places as breweries and wineries can open outdoor areas in Phase 2 even if the food comes from food trucks, though the dishes have to be served to customers (no self-service is allowed). In addition, breweries and wineries can set up new seating areas for dining as long as it is approved by the communities in which they reside. We have not been told if any of this also applies to beer gardens and distilleries, though it would appear that they would be in a similar situation; as soon as we find out more information, we will post an update here.

As mentioned earlier, bars that don't have kitchens, and breweries, wineries, beer gardens, and distilleries with no seated food service will not be able to open until Phase 4, which, assuming Phase 2 lasts three weeks and Phase 3 lasts three weeks, means that they wouldn't be able to open until late July at the earliest. (It isn't known if bars with outdoor patios but no kitchens would be able to open in Phase 2 or Phase 4, so stay tuned for updates on that as well.)

[Earlier Article]
Phase 2 of Reopening Plan for Massachusetts to Begin Monday; Outdoor Dining Spaces Allowed to Open

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Guidelines Set in Place for Reopening of Beer Gardens, Breweries, Wineries, and Distilleries in Massachusetts

A couple of weeks ago, the Baker administration introduced a four-phase approach to reopen the Massachusetts economy based on public health guidance, including the reopening of restaurants. Now we have learned that new information has been given on the reopening of businesses that are involved with the making of beer, wine, and spirits.

An updated page that gives detailed information on when businesses can reopen states that beer gardens, breweries, wineries, and distilleries will be able to open back up in Phase 2 (presumably outdoor areas at first, with indoor areas opening later in Phase 2) if they provide seated food service under retail food permits issued by municipal authorities, but those places that do not provide seated food service will have to wait until Phase 4 to reopen. This means that those in the former category may be able to open outdoor areas as soon as June 8 depending on when Phase 2 begins, while those in the latter category would not be able to reopen until at least July 20, based on the three-week intervals for each phase--and also keeping in mind that the phases could go longer than three weeks.

Some of the above information is based on the information given for restaurants, where they can open outdoor areas at the start of Phase 2 and eventually be able to open indoor areas later in Phase 2--all with restrictions shown here.

[Earlier Article]
Guidelines Set in Place for Reopening of Restaurants and Bars in Massachusetts

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Debevino Winery Is Opening in Walpole

A brand new winery is coming to the southwest suburbs of Boston, and it will include a tasting room and more.

According to a message sent from The Passionate Foodie, Debevino Winery is opening on Route 1 in Walpole, with a press release saying that the place is slated to officially open tomorrow (Friday, January 10). The release mentions that the space will include a wine production facility, a tasting area where people can sample the wines and go on an informational tour, and a space for private events.

Debevino Winery was actually established in 1975, with the name coming from a composite of three family names--DeNapoli, Bevilacqua, and Arpino (the last names of the owners and winemakers).

The address for Debevino Winery is 2255 Providence Highway (Route 1), Walpole, MA, 02081. The website for the business can be found at https://www.debevino.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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City Winery Opens in Boston

by Marc Hurwitz

A long-awaited restaurant, bar, and music spot has finally opened in Boston.

According to a Twitter post from @BostonTweet (and confirmed by the place), City Winery is now open at the One Canal Street luxury apartment development in the Haymarket Square area of the city. A Vanyaland article mentions that the new spot includes two performance spaces (one big and one small), a restaurant and bar area, and a small art gallery, and each performance space has its own bar as well.

As mentioned earlier here, the person behind City Winery is music promoter Michael Dorf, who also founded a venue called the Knitting Factory in New York back in the 1980s. (The Knitting Factory now has locations in Brooklyn, Boise, and Spokane.)

The address for City Winery is 1 Canal Street, Boston, MA, 02114. The website for all locations can be found at http://www.citywinery.com/

[Earlier Article]
City Winery Plans to Come to Boston

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Nashoba Valley Winery Owner Faces License Issue That Could Force Restaurant or Winery to Close

A well-known winery west of Boston is going to court over a licensing issue that could ultimately cause at least part of the business to close.

WBUR is reporting that the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) is not going to be renewing all of the licenses for Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton for next year, saying that a Massachusetts business cannot have both a pouring license for a restaurant and a farmer's manufacturing license (in this case, a farmer's winery license). Because of this, owner Rich Pelletier indicates that he would have to either drop the pouring license which would mean that the dining spot on the premises--J's Restaurant--would not be able to sell the farm's wine, or he could drop the farmer's winery license and no longer be able to produce wine. A post from CBS Boston states that if Pelletier is not able to retain both licenses, he may have to close the restaurant around the end of the year--or the winery, according to WBUR--though stopping the production of wine does not seem like a viable option.

Pelletier is now looking to take regulators to court over the licensing issue, but the office of Attorney General Maura Healey is seeking to have the case dismissed because the licenses have not actually been denied for next year as of yet, saying that Pelletier needs to exhaust his "administrative remedies" before going to court. (A hearing on the dismissal is expected to take place June 29.)

Nashoba Valley Winery is a hilltop spot that includes a winery, orchard, tasting area, restaurant, and retail shop; it also hosts functions and events, including weddings, corporate outings, family reunions, private picnics, and more. Its website is at http://nashobawinery.com/

[June 28 update: A new article from WBUR indicates that Governor Charlie Baker is ready to support legal action or legislation that would make sure Nashoba Valley Winery will be able to continue operating as it has been for 16 years without having to choose one license or the other. The post also shows a statement from Treasurer Deborah Goldberg saying that "My office is working with the ABCC, the Attorney General's Office, and legislators on this issue, actively seeking an appropriate solution. I am confident that we will get there very soon."]

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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City Winery Plans to Come to Boston

It looks like a new restaurant, winery, and music spot is on its way to Boston.

According to an article in Boston Magazine, City Winery is planning to open on the ground level of the upcoming One Canal luxury apartment development by the corner of Canal Street and New Chardon Street in the Haymarket Square area. Based on the other locations of the New York-based group of venues (Manhattan, Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville), the new spot could include a mix of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-influenced fare, an extensive wine list with some of the wines made in-house, wine classes and the option for patrons to make their own wine, and live music and other entertainment.

The person behind City Winery is music promoter Michael Dorf, who also founded a venue called the Knitting Factory in New York back in the 1980s. (The Knitting Factory now has locations in Brooklyn, Boise, Reno, and Spokane.)

It looks like the address for the upcoming City Winery is 1 Canal Street, Boston, MA, 02114. The website for City Winery can be found at http://www.citywinery.com/

[June 30, 2017 update: The Tables section of The Boston Globe mentions that City Winery plans to open in September.]

[September 25, 2017 update: Eater Boston states that City Winery is now hoping to open on October 16.]

[October 16, 2017 update: A message from City Winery indicates that the opening date has now been pushed back into November because of ongoing construction delays and that they have had to reschedule and relocate shows up until that point.]

[November 10, 2017 update: A message from the place indicates that City Winery plans to open its doors around the middle of next week.]

[November 21, 2017 update: City Winery is now open.]

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News Elsewhere: Fire Destroys Obadiah McIntyre Farm Winery in Charlton

A Central Massachusetts winery that was located on the premises of an historic farm has been destroyed in a massive fire.

According to a post from the Worcester Telegram, Obadiah McIntyre Farm Winery in Charlton went up in flames last night, with 4,000 gallons of wine perishing in the blaze and the structure being a total loss. The article says that the winery, which was located at Charlton Orchards Farm, also lost all of its winemaking equipment, and that firefighters from surrounding communities (Leicester, Quinebaug, Spencer, Sturbridge, Webster) tried to help battle the blaze, but to no avail.

[August 6 update: The Boston Globe is now reporting that the fire at Obadiah McIntyre Farm Winery was arson, according to officials, with the State Fire Marshal's office saying it was "deliberately set" and that "all other potential accidental causes in the area of origin have been eliminated." (The article says that no suspects have been identified as of yet.)]

Charlton Orchards Farm dates back to 1733, with the winery opening in 2002, according to a page on the farm's website.

The address for Obadiah McIntyre Farm Winery (and Charlton Orchards Farm) is 44 Old Worcester Road, Charlton, MA, 01507.

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