Putnam's vine/yard

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Community Gathering Place Built Around the Bottle

Since New Year's Eve 2022, Putnam's vine/yard has been doing exactly what it set out to do: popping bottles, hosting neighbors, and telling the stories of the wines it pours. Situated on South Main Street in White River Junction, Vermont, this wine bar earned Wine Spectator's 2025 Award of Excellence — recognition that reflects a genuinely thoughtful approach to wine curation rather than a list assembled for appearances.

The space operates as what the team calls a "secret garden," a bar that runs from morning coffee through late-evening pours, with a retail shop alongside it stocking personally selected wines, locally made gifts, coffee beans, teas, and artwork from regional artists. The ethos is local through and through: local entrepreneurs get a platform, local products find a home on the shelves, and local vendors pop up on the front porch on weekend mornings.

Seasonal Food, Mimosa Flights, and Saturday Pop-Ups

The kitchen leans into seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, with brunch served every Saturday and Sunday from 10AM to 4PM. Every Saturday — what the team calls "Satur-YAY" — signature Mimosa Flights are paired with a rotating local vendor: food trucks, fresh bagels, handmade donuts, flowers, and more. It's a format that keeps the experience genuinely different week to week.

Walk-ins only — Putnam's does not accept reservations — which keeps the atmosphere relaxed and spontaneous.

Wine School, Vine School, and the Art of Hosting

Beyond the bar, Putnam's runs a structured Wine School program featuring ticketed classes led by qualified educators. Wine educator Victoria Tuzet, who holds a WSET Level 3 and is completing the WSET Diploma, leads sessions ranging from blind Riesling tastings to deep dives into Spanish regional styles. The approach is educational without being stuffy — the stated goal is to make wine knowledge both fun and accessible.

"Vine School" classes bring a different dimension entirely, covering plant care and DIY green projects, reflecting the broader spirit of the place: curious, community-minded, and a little unexpected.

For private events — birthdays, showers, corporate gatherings — the secret garden is available to hire, and the team's self-described specialty is simply "the art of hosting."