Going to Vermont

[gordonzola]

So, I just did it, I booked my tickets to go to the only states in the country I’ve never visited and check out dairy farms and cheese makers. Does it snow in Vermont and Maine in April? I don’t want to die!

I’ve got a lot of things planned already, but it there anything, especially in Vermont, that I need to see or check out? Unfortunately, I had to shorten this vacation because of some construction/production issues at work, but Vermont appears to be like the size of my high school parking lot so I can probably fit some other things in if you, Dear Readers, have suggestions.

Comments

[cpf.livejournal.com]

Whoops - forgot to link info on the Brautigan Library:

http://www.jessamyn.com/journal/june00b.html

[gordonzola.livejournal.com]

you really confused me here because I was just e-mailing with Jessamyn before I saw your comment and I thought you were her.

[cpf.livejournal.com]

It's a small internet after all...
It's a small internet after all...
It's a small, small internet!

Vermont in Burlington

[(Anonymous)]

Do you know what part your going to? Burlington is Great, theirs the lake, great weather, small town but they still got a small downtown..great food. Sweetwaters and the Redonion are great. Well theirs several things great in Burlington but beyond that, I'm not really sure where else is great. Hope you have fun.

[iamdollface.livejournal.com]

My father moved from NYC to Vermont two years ago and now works with Indy Dairy Farmers! If you tell me where you plan to be in Vermont, I'll bet I can not only get you a list of places to go, but a tour guide as well.

[gordonzola.livejournal.com]

hey, I might even know your father. I'll be travelling with a cheesemaker already but backchannel me your dad's name and where he's worked.

gordonzola@livejournal.com

[iamdollface.livejournal.com]

My father's name is Peter burmeister. He lives in Montpelier (the capital). I have no idea who he's been working with out there, but he was telling me about some really interesting projects over lunch today. I think he does more marketing/organizational type things and such for the little farms, so as to compete in the marketplace and etc... or something. BUT, he loves cheese and is a good person to talk to about such things. He is the reason I know about cheese!

[gordonzola.livejournal.com]

that name sounds really familiar. hmmmmmmm.

[iamdollface.livejournal.com]

He does get around. I'll mention your cheese tour next time I speak to him!

[gordonzola.livejournal.com]

yeah, please do that. I don't carry a ton of Vermont cheese because of the shipping costs, but find out who he's working with.

[iamdollface.livejournal.com]

I know one dairy he works with supplies to Whole Foods, I will pick his brain about it when ever he gets around to calling me back. My father has a more active social life then I do! Getting hold of him seems to be a challenge this week...

[iamdollface.livejournal.com]

My father writes back at last and says: "The main customer for the milk is Maple Brook Farms, which makes a hand-made mozzarella. You can buy it at Whole Foods. They are increasing their production and will be using our milk. We will also be selling ice cream mix to Wilcox Ice Cream, which makes a wonderful ice cream with 14 percent butterfat content. There are about 60 companies making artisan cheeses in Vermont. We eat several of them regularly. One is Jasper Hill Farm, which makes a great bleu cheese as well as several others. There is also Grafton cheese which makes the best cheddar I’ve ever tasted. Of course there is Cabot cheddar, which you can get in any supermarket. They are a huge company, but the cheese is excellent. I don’t like them because of some of their practices, but I have to admit that the cheese is superb. If your friend wants to get in touch with me when he is in Vermont I will be glad to meet him, and could even introduce him to a few people."

As you can see, the man likes his dairy products.