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Date: 1/25/2023
LONGMEADOW – Among alcoholic drinks, wine is a perennial favorite. Whether celebrating an event, attending a party or having dinner at home, many people look for a good bottle of wine. Provisions owners Benson Hyde and Bruce McAmis recognized this but wanted to provide more than a bottle of wine. They wanted to offer the story behind it and the knowledge of how to best enjoy it.
Provisions was founded in Northampton in 2011, selling wines, beer, specialty foods and cheese and meats for charcuterie boards. A second location opened in Amherst in 2020 and the latest Provisions opened at The Longmeadow Shops five days before Christmas 2022.
“It was fantastic,” said the Longmeadow location store manager Andy Saltarella. “The clientele were really excited. I can’t tell you how many people have said they were looking for somewhere that has what we offer.”
Hyde said the business specializes in “boutique, small producers’ products. It’s a lot of wines with a cool story.” Knowing the story of where wines come from, how they are made and what makes them special is something of which the employees at Provisions are proud.
“It’s important to have a relationship with our producers,” Saltarella said.
Hyde added, “And being able to pass that story along to the customer.”
About half of customers stop in to grab a bottle of wine on their way home or to bring somewhere, but Saltarella said he finds the more people return to the shop, the more they ask questions and have conversations about what they’re buying. Hyde said his “favorite thing” is when a customer comes in with a meal in mind and asks what wines or beers pair well with it.
Provisions also offers dozens of varieties of cheeses and meats at its charcuterie counter, ready to pair with any wines they may carry. “Having cheeses that represent all the global styles and training the staff with the knowledge to help customers who may not even know what they’re looking for,” is integral to the relationships Provisions builds with its customers. The cheeses are cut to order and the shop can create custom charcuterie platters.
“We have a focus on local products where we can,” said Saltarella, adding that ciders made in Massachusetts are “one of the best in the world.” That said, finding quality products means Provisions works with producers from near and far.
“One of the biggest misconceptions,” Saltarella said, “is that we only sell high-end or expensive products. We have an entire wall of wines for $15 and under” from “brands that we stand by.” Although the business does carry products for customers interested in pricier options, Hyde said, “It’s not so much about fine wine. It’s about fun wine,” Hyde said, adding that many smaller producers are making less expensive bottles of wine, making it more accessible than ever.
In fact, Hyde said, there has been “a growth in younger people being interested in wine. A lot of the people who have been drinking craft beers are turning to wines,” partly because there is a perception that wine is healthier. There has also been a saturation in the craft beer market and, with wines, “there’s always something fun and new to find.”
Provisions is at 686 Bliss Rd., and can be reached at 384-2719 or https://provisionswine.com.