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Provisions in Longmeadow is a fine wine, spirit and specialty food shop that is so much more than a typical “package store.”
According to Owners Benson Hyde andBruce McAmis the most important things at Provisions are selection and experience.
“We work hard to source a unique selection of products, with a focus on smaller, environmentally aware producers — preferably organic/biodynamic — that make minimal intervention wines, which means not using chemical pesticides or fertilizers, and not using additives during the winemaking process,” said Hyde. “We also try to support the many wonderful products and wines being made here in our region.”
Provisions in Longmeadow is one of three shops owned by Hyde and McAmis. Benson opened the original store in Northampton in November 2011 with his cousin Alex Feinstein and two other partners. In August 2019 McAmis came on board with the idea to help grow the store to multiple locations.
The shop in the Mill District in North Amherst opened during the coronavirus pandemic in November 2020, and Longmeadow followed in December 2022.
“We also have a small neighborhood shop in Northampton called Bottle-O,” Hyde said. When it comes to weddings, Provisions takes their client needs seriously.
“We love to help people find the right winesfor their weddings,” said McAmis. “The DIY wedding trend continues to grow, and people have realized they can get great wines and other beverages at great prices when sourcing it themselves. We offer free consultations and provide private tastings for couples trying to decide which wines/beverages to have for
their wedding that fit both their tastes and their budgets.”
Provisions offers everything a couple would need to make their day special — from traditional wines to something more unique.
“We have a wide range of great value wines that are crowd pleasers,” McAmis said. “While we have a bunch of traditional offerings, we love the unique and obscure and have a lot of favorite suggestions that are off the beaten path. The Mary Taylor wines are an easy pick for any party if you want something classic at a great value. The Sebastien Girost makes a fantastic, very well priced champagne that is perfect for any celebration.”
For couples — or anyone — interested in learning more and trying before they buy, Provisions has numerous options.
“We offer a wide range of classes and experiences that are geared toward all lovers of wine, spirits, beer, cider, cheese, food, etc.,” Hyde said. “These range from entry level Wine 101 and Cheese 101 type classes, to deep dives on certain regions and/or grapes, to Fine and Rare tastings, to meet the winemaker events. We love nothing more than getting to share these experiences with customers.”
Provisions also offers private tastings, both in-home and at the shop.
“We have some pre-set offerings, but also love to work with people to come up with a tailored experience focusing on an area of their choosing. We have many in-store tastings and regular open houses that feature lots of fun things to taste, including our regularly scheduled Rosé Open House, Sake Open House and Champagne Open House,” Hyde said. “We have also started doing mini offsite festivals, like the Italian Wine Festival in April, where we bring in winemakers from around the world to raise money for local nonprofits and organizations.”
In addition to sharing their knowledge of all things wine and spirits, Provisions’ staff is ready to educate customers about the specialty cheese selection.
“By offering a ‘cut to order’ cheese counter, customers can taste and learn about a cheese before they buy it,” McAmis said. “We also have a heavy focus on providing customer tastings and learning opportunities, such as weekly in-store tastings, classes, seminars and events.”
He continued, “We love helping people find exactly what they are looking for — whether they come in knowing what that is or to work with them to figure it out. If you need the perfect wine for a special dish you are making, we can help you find the wine to go with it. Need a special bottle for a special occasion? Want to make a slamming cheese board? We’d love to help!”
PROVISIONS, AT 686 BLISS ROAD IN THE LONGMEADOW SHOPS, IS OPEN MONDAY, 11A.M. - 6 P.M.; TUESDAYSATURDAY, 10 A.M. – 8 P.M. AND SUNDAY, 12-6 P.M. MORE INFORMATION ON PROVISIONS AND THEIR OTHER LOCATIONS IS AT PROVISIONSWINE.COM.