\\\"\\\"

FresYes!

5 questions

Fresno Foodies Get Ready: Three delicious picks for December

by Leave a Comment

December is a great time to be a food-lover in Fresno!

Besides the homemade holiday treats that will undoubtedly be pouring into break rooms and offices throughout the month, there are three specific local events and locations we’d like to highlight. Each is a unique way to try something delicious and new this month. So, make plans with your friends and family to scope out these local treats and…try not to drool as you check out our three top picks:

  1. The Annex Kitchen Lunch Service

The Annex Kitchen located on West Shaw next to Pardini’s in the former Pardini’s Café is one of Fresno’s most popular restaurants. Their food has been lauded on FresYes in the past and has even been recognized by Food Network’s Simon Majumdar, who called The Annex’s Sweet Corn Agnolotti the “best thing he ate in 2016”.

Chef Jimmy Pardini of The Annex Kitchen (Photo courtesy of The Annex Kitchen)

Typically only open for dinner, The Annex is hosting a special lunch service meal this Saturday (December 8th) starting at 11am, featuring “a selection of house made sandwiches made on wood-fired bread”. For full menu details, The Annex’s Instagram account recommends subscribing to their email list, as recipients will be the first to receive the special menu info. Reservations will not be accepted for this event, so plan accordingly. My guess is The Annex will redefine all that a “sandwich” can be in the best of ways.

This intriguing photo was posted along with the lunch service announcement on The Annex’s Instagram account

  1. Nikkei Ramen’s Pop Up Ramen Dinner in Tower

Nikkei Ramen is becoming known locally for preparing exceptionally tasty, homemade ramen dishes along with flavorful and fresh accompaniments like Spicy Tuna Tartare and Hawaiian Sliders. They will be hosting a special pop-up, three course meal on Saturday, December 15th from 6-10pm at the former Zen Wok Fusion location at 609 E. Olive Ave. in the Tower District. The menu will feature Spicy Tuna Tartare with Cucumber-Mango Relish and Wonton Chips for an appetizer, Tonkotsu Ramen with homemade ramen noodles, pork belly, nori, egg, and shiitake mushrooms for the main course and finish with French Macarons with four different flavors and fillings for dessert.

Nikkei Ramen’s Spicy Tuna Tartare with Cucumber-Mango Relish and Wonton Chips

Nikkei Ramen’s Tonkotsu Ramen (images courtesy of Nikkei Ramen)

The cost per person is $25 (drinks are purchased separately) and it’s first come, first served so be sure to arrive on time. Nikkei requests that interested guests RSVP on their Facebook invite so they can have an idea of how much food to prepare. Also, there are plans to hold monthly pop-ups going forward, so if you can’t make this event, be sure to follow them on social media so you can catch the next one.

  1. Baskin Robbins New Generation “Moments” Store

Baskin-Robbins, the world’s largest chain of specialty ice cream shops, unveiled its first “Moments” concept store design last week, right here in Fresno, California at Herndon and Milburn. The store concept will begin rolling out nationally in 2019.

The storefront of the new Baskin-Robbins on Herndon and Milburn in NW Fresno

The new store concept is designed to bring guests “great flavors and memorable moments”. The new store will offer a new and modernized atmosphere and new frozen treats to enjoy called “ice cream novelties” featuring premium, hand-dipped and snackable frozen treats to give guests more variety when choosing a dessert. The novelties menu includes chocolate-dipped bananas, Polar Pizza slices, Ice Cream Bars, Smoothie Bars and hand-dipped fancy waffle cones. An expanded toppings station will also offer variety and options for customization when choosing a treat.

New Baskin-Robbins novelties offerings

And, like many ice cream shops, Baskin Robbins knows people love a great backdrop for “the ‘Gram’” (Instagram) and they are delivering with a great mural featuring local landmarks and forest campsites and local parks.

A sneak peak at the interior and mural in the new Baskin-Robbins store

 

Happy eating Fresnans!

Here’s what you should do this weekend

by Leave a Comment

 

Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are some fun suggestions for events happening in and around Fresno.

Friday

do this weekend 85

do this weekend 85

do this weekend 85

• Head to River Park at 10 a.m. for the Festival of Trees. Donated by community individuals and businesses, trees will be lavished with gifts and décor and raffled off for $5 per ticket. Proceeds from this event will help provide paid work experience for local survivors of human trafficking.

• It’s the last day to donate to the Fresno Grizzlies Supply Drive. The team is collecting supplies for families affected by recent California wildfires. From 2 to 5 p.m., drop off supplies at the Chukchansi Park VIP lobby. Click here for requested items.

• It’s Zoo Lights at Fresno Chaffee Zoo! This event, which starts at 5 p.m., will also happen Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy music, live entertainment, festive treats and beverages for adults and children, and free photos with Santa Claus. Tickets are $5-$9.

• Learn to sew your own reusable market bag! Head to Root Access Hackerspace at 6 p.m. for instruction and materials. Class is $25 ($20 if you bring your own material). 

• Comedian Butch Escobar will headline Slice of Comedy at DiCicco’s Restaurant in Clovis. The fun starts at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $15.

• It’s the 25th anniversary of the Disney classic The Nightmare Before Christmas! See this masterpiece on the big screen at the Crest Theatre in downtown Fresno. The movie starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $6.

Saturday

do this weekend 85

do this weekend 85

• Join Tree of Life Café for a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at its new location, 6640 N. Blackstone Ave., in Fresno.

• It’s opening night for Candy Cane Lane (aka Cindy Lane). Every night through Dec. 25, you can either walk or drive the lane from 6 to 10 p.m.

• Nate’s Silent Movie Christmas at The Revue will feature live piano music by Nate Butler. Cartoons start at 7 p.m., the movie is at 8 p.m. All ages are welcome. Pay what you want!

• Enjoy (?) Home Alone for FREE on the big screen at the Crest Theatre in downtown Fresno. The movie starts at 8 p.m. 

• See 40 Watt Hype, The Morning Drive, and The Tough Love at Fulton 55. This 21+ show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets start at $8.

Sunday

do this weekend 85

• At 5:30 p.m., join FresYes for Swede Fest 18 at the Tower Theatre. Bring the kids and enjoy home-made film parodies made by your fellow Fresnans! The show is free and open to all.

…

What else is going on this weekend? Add your event to the comments.

Four ways to celebrate the holidays with music

by Leave a Comment

 

Holiday music is a great avenue of joy this time of year. As Buddy the Elf says, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!”

Christmas carols and songs are a delightful way to celebrate the season. If you’re not into caroling yourself, there’s plenty of local talent to do it for you (I personally can’t carry a tune so it’s a blessing to my neighbors if I skip it). Mark the month with a live concert (or two) and start a new holiday tradition! Here’s a list of musical events happening this month.

Fresno Community Concert Band’s Winter Magic

celebrate with music

Photo via Fresno Community Concert Band

If you’re into modern classics and tunes from White Christmas, check out the Fresno Community Concert Band’s annual offering, “Winter Magic”, on Sunday, Dec. 2. There are two times to choose from, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under. Active military, veterans, and their family are free for the 7 p.m. show (with ID). The concert will be conducted by Sandy Headrick and Bruce Weinberger, and features soprano Hanna York. Grab your tickets here.

Joyeux Noel by Soli Deo Gloria Women’s Chorale 

celebrate with music

Ready to dig deep into local talent? On Friday, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m. at University Presbyterian Church, you can catch the sounds of Soli Deo Gloria Women’s Chorale. Soli Deo Gloria is a non-profit featuring a chorale of women who sing at the highest level of skill. This concert will feature songs written specifically for their group, “Christmas Visions,” composed by E.J. Hinojosa, as well as traditional Christmas carols. This group is conducted by Dr. Julie Carter and will feature Dr. Walter Saul as accompanist. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students. You can purchase them online here in advance or plan on spending $20 at the door.

Holiday Concert from Fresno State Choirs and Music Department

celebrate with music

Fa-la-la! On Sunday, Dec. 9, head to the Fresno State Concert Hall at 2:30 p.m. to enjoy the sounds of The Fresno State Chamber Singers, Concert Choir and the University Singers. The show will feature traditional holiday music and carols. Dr. Cari Earnheart is the Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Emily Mason is the Director of University Singers, and Dr. Shing-Ming Liao is the collaborative pianist. You can purchase tickets here. General admission is $12, senior tickets are $8, and students are $5 so it’s budget-friendly event!

Mozart + Mahler Concert by Youth Orchestras Fresno

Another impressive concert is taking place Sunday, Dec. 9, with The Mozart and Mahler Concert by Youth Orchestras of Fresno. It’s true, the songs aren’t specifically seasonal, but this concert is for such a great organization, I’m including it. (I’ve discussed the Youth Orchestras Fresno here if you need a re-cap.) The concert will take place at Shaghoian Concert Hall at 4 p.m. and features favorites such as Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, the Titan and Mozart’s Abduction form the Seraglio (and more!).This concert is a $10 donation, but anyone can attend if price is an issue. You can reserve seats in advance here. The Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by Dr. Thomas Loewenheim and the Youth Chamber Orchestra is conducted by Adam Elmore.

….

Do local concerts add to your Christmas cheer or are you just discovering the deep wells of talent in Fresno? Tell me what your favorite musical traditions are in the comments below!

Lydia and Pearl Market lets you shop local for a great cause

by Leave a Comment

This time of year, there is no shortage of holiday boutiques and craft fairs to shop if you enjoy purchasing handmade and local gifts. However, one specific event, The Lydia and Pearl Market, taking place on Saturday, Dec. 8, is particularly special.

The event allows local business women to participate in a market that will raise funds and support for one of the most underserved populations in our Valley—foster youth.

I interviewed event co-founder Mallory Mueller, and the founder of the non-profit benefiting from the event to learn more about the market, what shoppers can expect, and the organization you’ll be supporting when you shop.

FresYes: What is the Lydia and Pearl Market all about and what are the goals of the event?

Mallory Mueller: Co-founder Melissa Danisi and I wanted to create a space for women in our community to have the opportunity to sell their goods for a purpose. Our desire is not just to host a fun event for people to come and shop, eat some great food, and go home.

There are other markets, boutiques, and craft fairs out there who put on amazing and successful events, however, our market is different in that we do not keep any of the profits raised from this event. The fees vendors pay for their space, ticket sales, and raffle ticket sales are all given to the local non-profit that we choose to support. This is our fourth year holding the event and this year the organization we’ve chosen to support is City Without Orphans. This market is very mission-minded.

FY: What is City Without Orphans all about?

Whitney Bunker, Founder, City Without Orphans: City Without Orphans (CWO) was created out of a vision to see our city become known for caring for our most vulnerable children and youth. We believe that every child deserves a place to call home, and that everyone can do something to support a foster youth or families who foster or adopt. Our four main areas of focus are:

  1. Awareness about the needs of kids in foster care and the stories from our community. We share through video, social media, and a traveling awareness exhibit called Stories Untold; Every Number Has A Name.
  2. Education. We do live workshops and video teachings to educate families considering foster care or adoption.
  3. Support. We support families after they bring children and youth into their homes. We offer free babysitting nights for foster and adoptive families and parent training courses on trauma and attachment.
  4. Mobilization. We always say it’s not if you are called, but how. We mobilize community to serve foster and adoptive families and foster youth in a variety of ways. We hear tangible needs from social workers and agencies and we relay them back to churches and businesses. This could be for duffel bags or personal care items for youth in foster care, or helping make connections for greater support for foster parents.

FY: What are your goals for this event in relation to City Without Orphans?

MM: To raise both money and awareness for the organization. They are working on a project (which I will let Whitney share about) and we want to help bring them closer to the financial goal for that project. We want people to learn about CWO and be educated on what is happening in our city when it comes to orphan care. We also want women to connect with one another; encourage one another in what they do and their skills. This is not a competition, this is a community and we are better together!

WB: This boutique fundraiser will help CWO create an online dashboard called “Fostering Connections”—think Craigslist especially made for the population we serve to be able to post needs and services that the community can provide or meet. We are working on it as we speak and are excited to hopefully get fully funded and launch in early 2019.

FY: What are the specific time and location details for the event?

MM: Our event is at The Well Community Church on Maple  and Nees ( 2044 E. Nees Ave. Fresno 93720) on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is a $5 entry fee that is donated to CWO. Kids 10  and under are free. You can buy your tickets early here!

FY: Tell me a bit about the awesome vendors you have lined up for the Lydia and Pearl Market. Can additional vendors still take part?

MM: We have over 30 amazing vendors joining us! (Scroll to the bottom of this interview to see the full list.) We will also have food vendors including Wafflicious, Quesadilla Gorilla, and Humble Hustle Barista. We have very few vendor spaces remaining. Interested parties should email lydiaandpearl@gmail.com.

Lydia and Pearl Market

Nosh on a delicious liege waffle while you shop the Lydia and Pearl Market!

FY: Anything else you’d like readers to know? If they can’t attend, but would like to help CWO, what’s the best way to get involved?

MM: Last year we raised roughly $3,500 for City Without Orphans. We would love to see the community come together and help double that!

WB: We are looking to have volunteers who can help us in a variety of ways, whether it’s helping out with events, office work or child care for our babysitting nights. You can contact CWO’s Program Coordinator Kyra Zimmerman at Kyra@citywithoutorphans.com. Thank you!

…

Here’s just a small sampling of the hundreds of awesome wares that will be available at the Lydia and Pearl Market:

Lydia and Pearl Market

Lydia and Pearl Market

Lydia and Pearl Market

Lydia and Pearl Market Confirmed Vendor List

The 395 Collective – Quality leather goods
Basilwood Farm – Goat farm/Makers of goat milk soap
Woods By Woods – Handcrafted home decor
Bright Waters – Modern stationary
Hope Ink – Hand lettered art
Deckeratedot/sis&oil – Hand lettered home decor/Essential oil goods
Dorina Gilmore books & Gigi’s Creations – Author
Erica Tullis/Noonday Collection – Ethical fashion
E’Claire Makery – Crochet goods
Cavelle Kids – Baby + kids goods
The Sweetbugoboo Shop – Headbands, fiber art, jewelry
Habitual Threads – Jewelry
Jill Brazeal – Homespun goods
Raphio Chocolate – Artisan craft chocolate
The Joyful Nest – Hand painted art
Son-Light Society – Custom apparel
Jen Bell art+calligraphy – canvas art and calligraphy items
Legacy of Love Creations – Bible journaling
Ciconia Gift Company – Handmade candles, home space, and gift box goods
Debbi Tovsrud – Salted caramels
Anchors Aweigh Designs/Sip & Shine – Handmade clothing, accessories for kids, handmade drinkware
Pressed Rose Jewelry Co. – Jewelry
Trades of Hope – Ethical fashion
Flora Flower Cart – Mobile flower shop
Common Good Company – Handmade candles
Lynette Johnson Photography – Photography
Against The Grain – Hand lettered wood signs
Art By Addi – Watercolor and calligraphy
The Haitian Bead Project – Handmade bead jewelry and art by Haitians (part of HaitiGO)
Agape International Ministries (AIM) – Committed to ending sex trafficking in Cambodia
Lanna Foundation – Handmade goods from the women of hill tribes in Thailand

 

Seriously, what’s up with all these geese?

by Leave a Comment

 

If you live near a park or ponding basin, you’ve seen them.

Geese. Dozens and dozens of large, black-headed geese gathered together in flocks, looking like menacing avian armies.

For years, I’d seen these giant birds around Fresno, most notably at Woodward and Roeding parks, but it wasn’t until I moved to northwest Fresno that I really become aware of them.

I’d hear them coming long before I saw them, their distinctive honking signaling their impending arrival. And I saw the evidence of them—usually splattered across my car windshield or against the side of the house.

“Seriously, what’s up with all these geese?” I’d wonder.

They didn’t bother me. I like birds. National Geographic declared 2018 the “Year of the Bird” and after driving by countless elementary schools and parks and seeing waves of geese covering the grounds, I tend to agree.

But I still wanted to know why there were so many of these large birds flying over my house all day. Where do they come from and where are they going? So I contacted the Fresno Audubon Society for some answers.

all these geese

Cars pass by along Alluvial Ave. as a flock of geese do geese things

Fresno Audubon provides the goods on geese 

Robert Snow is the president of Fresno Audubon Society, and a board member of California Audubon, which is part of the National Audubon Society. Audubon is unique in having hundreds of independent 501c3 chapters separate from the National Audubon Society—the Fresno chapter has about 350 members. 

Dr. Snow joined the Fresno Audubon Society after his retirement in 2011. He has a PhD in Zoology, and has been interested in birds since receiving a copy of John Audubon’s Birds of America as a child. If anyone could tell me about the gads of geese, it’s him.
 
First of all, what kind of goose is this?
 
The geese are Canada Geese. This species used to regularly overwinter in our area, then return north to the Arctic to breed. Over the years, however, they developed a taste for living around people. Now they breed locally and populate ponding basins and golf courses or wherever they can find grass to eat.
 
Where are they going?
 
They fly between local [grassy] areas in large flocks in a distinctive V-pattern, a type of flight that keeps geese together over their usually long migrations.
 
And the honking? What’s up with that?
 
The honking is thought to be a means of communicating that helps them fly in the V-formation. That formation is very efficient, meaning it uses less energy. If the V breaks down, they need to work harder to fly.
…
 
all these geese

Just a typical goose-y day at Railroad Park

Although we see the Canada Goose year-round here in the Central Valley, you’ll probably see a bunch more of them now that it’s nearing winter. Fun fact: according to the Audubon field guide, the birds may mate for life, and both parents tend to the young. 
 
The geese are definitely a sight to behold, especially in that V-formation. Next time you’re near a park, especially in the evening, keep an ear out for their distinctive honk and you just may catch them flying overhead. (Seriously, though, try not to get directly under them. I speak from experience.)

Grab your Santa gear! Here’s your FresYes guide to December races

by Leave a Comment

 

Combining fitness with festive holiday cheer—that’s the theme of the December race calendar. As always, FresYes is here with your monthly local race guide. So grab those running shoes and burn those holiday calories!

San Joaquin River Trail 50K & 100K

Date: Saturday, Dec. 1

Location: Friant, CA

Cost: 50K is $115. The 100K is $145. Registration ends Nov. 27.

Sign-up

This trail run, put on by San Joaquin Running, attracts racers from all over California. It’s very intense and designed for advanced runners. The course takes runners around Millerton Lake and along the San Joaquin River. There’s dirt, rocks, hills, tree roots, and lots of natural obstacles. There’s also a 5,500-foot elevation gain in the 50K race and 12,000-foot elevation gain in the 100K. Participants will receive a finisher’s medal and swag.

guide to December races 2018

Tulare FFA Tinsel 5k & 1-Mile Walk/Run

Date: Saturday, Dec. 1

Location: Tulare, CA

Cost: $25

Sign-up

This holiday-themed run takes place at the Tulare Outlet Center. Racers are asked to bring a new, unwrapped present to donate to the Salvation Army in Tulare County.

Jingle Bell Run Toys for Tots 5K Run & 2-Mile Walk/Run

Date: Saturday, Dec. 8

Location: Christmas Tree Lane in Fresno

Cost: $35. Price increases Dec. 1.

Sign-up

More than 3,000 people take part in this annual run benefiting Toys for Tots. Runners receive a Christmas-themed sweatshirt and jingle bells for their shoes. There will be post-race snacks like Christmas cookies and hot chocolate. Participants are asked to bring an unwrapped toy. Those that do will receive a Santa hat. This is the final run in the Holiday Run Series.

guide to December races

Photo via Jingle Bell Run

Rockin’ Rudolph 5k Walk/Run & Kids’ Fun Run

Date: Sunday, Dec. 9

Location: Hanford, CA

Cost: Adults’ race is $30. Kids’ (12 & under) is $15.

Sign-up

This race benefits Adventist Health Central Valley Network and Hospice Services. Participants are asked to dress in festive holiday gear. Finisher’s medals will be handed out.

guide to December races 2018

Visalia Jingle Bell Run for Toys for Tots 5K Walk/Run & 2-Mile Walk

Date: Sunday, Dec. 9

Location: Mooney Park in Visalia, CA

Cost: $30

Sign-up

Participants are asked to bring an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. Those that do will receive a Santa hat. All participants will receive a sweatshirt, jingle bells and Christmas-themed cookie. The 5K portion is timed, the 2-mile is not.

 

Shop these businesses on Small Business Saturday

by Leave a Comment

 

Recently, I got the chance to talk to the BBB about the importance of supporting small businesses, and what being a small business means to me. 

Check out this great video put together by the BBB and then take a look at the list of small businesses below. They are each doing something special for today, Small Business Saturday, which is held the Saturday after Black Friday every year.

If you can, be sure to check out these local shops today, but remember: they would appreciate your business all year long! 

Shop Local 

• Crazy Squirrel Game Store
464 E. Bullard Ave. Ste. 105, Fresno 

Just in time for the holidays, check out newly released board games! Take a look at Crazy Squirrel’s website here for hours and information.

• Raphio Chocolate
783 E. Barstow Ave. #G, Fresno 

Today, this small batch chocolate maker is offering a private guided tour where you will touch the cacao beans, smell the nibs, taste the chocolate from stone grinders, see the aged chocolate blocks, and sample various single origin chocolate bars. Follow them on Facebook to find out about future tours.

• Petunia’s Place
6027 N. Palm Ave., Fresno

This independent bookstore will celebrate Small Business Saturday with a Festival of Authors and Artists. Local authors and illustrators will greet customers and sign copies of their books. Find out more here.

• Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co.
745 Fulton St., Fresno

Know a beer fan? (Maybe it’s you!) This local brewing company will be bringing out new winter merchandise, offering discounts on apparel, and doing beer/merch combo deals today! Check out the event here.

• Vineyard Farmers Market 17th Holiday Gift & Craft Show 
100 W. Shaw Ave., Fresno 

The Vineyard Farmers Market on the corner of Shaw and Blackstone is a year-round opportunity to shop local. But on Saturdays today through Dec. 22, they will also give you the chance to check out artists and pick up unique photography, pottery, jewelry, tie-dye, and more. Get more info here.

• Clovis Antique Mall
532 5th St., Clovis

The Clovis Antique Mall will be offering shoppers discounts on this Small Business Saturday. The antiques and vintage fan in your family will appreciate a unique gift! And on Dec. 16, attend their Sunday Funday Sale for prizes, refreshments, and discounts.

• Neighborhood Thrift $10 Bag Sale
353 E. Olive Ave., Fresno 

Neighborhood Thrift’s World-Famous Bag Sale is taking place today. Stuff, cram, and jam as much clothing  as you can into a bag for just $10! Find out more here.

• Cocktails & Crafts 
Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St., Fresno

This special event is your chance to shop a variety of local artists and crafters who don’t have a brick-and-mortar store. Support local creators! Details here.

• Small Business Saturday in Downtown Fresno

Take some time during your shopping adventures to take a stroll through downtown Fresno. The area has a bunch of new restaurants that could also use your support today. Walk around and try something new!

 

Locally owned Brix + Barrel makes buying small-batch Central CA wines easy

by Leave a Comment

 

Here at FresYes, we love celebrating the birth of new, locally owned businesses that have something new and unique to offer. This week, just in time for the holiday season, we bring you the story behind Brix + Barrel, a brand-new online wine company designed to connect high quality, small-batch wineries with consumers looking to purchase exceptional wines.

Read on to learn more about why you may want to set aside some of your holiday gift budget for shopping Brix + Barrel.

Brix + Barrel

Meet Trevor Clinard, owner of Brix + Barrel. You’ll like him, as he’s going to help you get your hands on some amazing wines!

FresYes: Trevor, tell us a little about yourself and your experience in the wine industry.

Trevor Clinard: I grew up in Orange County and went to school at Cal Poly SLO where I studied business and finance—but deep down, I’ve always had an entrepreneur’s spirit. After a career in finance and working in the business world in Southern California, our family made an effort to slow down our pace of life, and moved to the Central Valley.

I accepted a position as supply chain manager of the seventh largest winery in California, O’Neill Vintners and Distillers. For years, I was able to learn about the wine industry on the job, as well as in the classroom, graduating from UC Davis’s Wine Executive Program in 2017.

Most don’t know what a supply chain manager is (and that is a healthy thing). However, for those who are curious, I worked with every department in the company, and alongside vendors, to create computer models and systems to predict how much wine you (the consumer) will buy—and how we can deliver it to you right when you want it. I dreamt in Excel formulas and the position gave me an amazing vantage point.

I was able to see how diverse the wine industry was: on one side you have a boutique winery making 1,800 cases of wine and selling it through a small tasting room, and on the other side you have bulk wineries that produce 20 million cases of wine and sell it through an army of sales professionals and distributors.

Years later, my vantage point married my curiosity and I launched Brix + Barrel—an online wine shop designed to help you uncover emerging wineries you just can’t find at the grocery store

Tell me about Brix + Barrel. What sets your business apart from others?

There is a natural bottleneck in the wine industry. Over the past few years the population of wine distributors has shrunk, and the population of wineries has exploded. This means today’s distributor is forced to focus on larger wineries with plenty of inventory, pushing the small-batch, craft wineries out of the standard distribution game and away from the consumer.

I started Brix + Barrel to help connect the high-quality emerging wineries of California to consumers. I source from wineries regardless of regions, focusing on the quality of wine and team that produces it, helping consumers discover wines they would not find just anywhere—with an easy online shopping experience we have all grown to expect in other products… except wine.

Though I started Brix + Barrel because I saw an opportunity, I made it for those who believe this world can be hectic. There are bills, hard deadlines, crazy carpools, tough tragedies, and long nights.

But I believe that, if you can find time to pop a cork, turn it all off, and look across the table, you might realize how great all the little things are.

Any night can be made special with a wonderful wine and some good company!

If someone is relatively new to drinking and learning about wine, what wines would you recommend they try first from your offerings?

Oh, great question. If you are a red wine fan, start with the Robert Hall Syrah and The Fableist Zinfandel. They are two different types of red wines, but great examples made by great teams.

If you enjoy white wines, kick it off with The Fableist Chardonnay and the Slacker “Pink” Rosé.

My two personal favorite wines are Desparada Suitor Italian Red Blend and the Robert Hall Cavern Select Grenache. These are bold reds that are perfect for turning a random Tuesday into a special occasion.

Really, I would recommend trying anything from the site. Everyone has their own favorites, and each Brix + Barrel purchase is guaranteed. If you don’t like a bottle, we simply refund you and help find something else you might enjoy more.

Brix + Barrel

Brix + Barrel guarantees you’ll like their wines – if you don’t like something you order, you can choose something else at no cost!

With the holidays coming up, do you have any gift sets or specials perfect for giving or receiving this season?

Any of our wine can be customized with a personal message and premium packaging, making it a great gift for someone next door or across the state. For Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, we are offering FREE SHIPPING on all purchases—no discount code necessary.

If you own a business and would like to send wine as a gift to vendors, clients, or potential clients, we would love to work directly with you to add personal messages and branding to our premium packaging. I would love it if, as a culture, we sent fewer fruit baskets and more wine this year.

Our latest rollout is Brix Fix. I’m going to leave you hanging with that surprise, but if you sign up to our email list and follow us on social, I promise you will be in the loop!

Brix + Barrel

Brix + Barrel will offer free shipping on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday

Anything else you’d like readers to know?

We might be online, but we are a local, Central Valley business. Our office is at the Bitwise Hive in Downtown Fresno, most of our work days are fueled by Hi-Top Coffee or Kuppa Joy, and we love to connect with the local community. If you have any questions, don’t know what to buy, or have any special occasions you might need wine for, reach out to us directly at heyguys@brixandbarrel.com. We might be able to chat about it over a glass of wine!

Brix + Barrel

Trevor and his family live right here in the Valley, and look forward to providing you with fantastic wine.