Halloween, Mac & Cheese and an Extra Hour of Sleep!

Well, here we are again. I can't believe it's already our third Halloween at our new location in Kent.

The Halloween festivities are this Saturday, the clocks go back Sunday morning, and somehow we're already looking at November.

I'm still trying to figure out what happened to September.

Last year we had the fire pit going, the pumpkins were out, and we were enjoying one of those wonderful fall evenings that remind us why we love being in Kent.

And this year is looking pretty good too!

Kent has a wonderful Halloween traditions that fill the town with costumes, kids, animals, families and plenty of creativity. It's one of those small-town traditions that Monica and I really enjoy.

So we're firing up the pit again this Saturday!

We'll also have our mac & cheese and soup available for tasting. Because standing around a fire with something warm to eat on a cool October evening sounds like a pretty good idea to us.

And don't forget, daylight saving time ends early Sunday morning. We get an extra hour of sleep, although I'm not sure everyone with a dog will get to enjoy it.

Fortunately, Bandit is a sleeper. He might actually appreciate the extra hour more than we do.

So before we start talking turkey, holiday shopping and everything else coming our way, let's enjoy Halloween.

Come see us in Kent this Saturday. Enjoy the costumes and decorations, go dance at 45 on Main, warm up with us by the fire and have a taste of what we're cooking.

Todd, Monica and Bandit

Trick or Treat? How About a Little Cheese?

Meet our Halloween cheese, Mimolette!

Yes, it's really that orange. And no, thankfully it doesn't taste like pumpkin. Leave that to your lattes.

Mimolette is a French cow's milk cheese from northern France, traditionally associated with Lille. Its bright orange color comes from annatto, a natural coloring derived from the seeds of the achiote tree.

And here's one of my favorite things about its history.

Back in the 17th century, France was looking for a way to replace Dutch Edam, which had become difficult to import during a period of trade restrictions and conflict.

So what did the French do?

They made their own.

And, of course, they made it orange to distinguish it from the Dutch original.

I love that. When the French couldn't get the cheese they wanted, they simply decided to make it themselves. Vive la France!

As Mimolette ages, it develops a firm texture and wonderful nutty, slightly caramel-like flavors. The older it gets, the more concentrated those flavors become.

And that rough, cratered rind?

That's part of the aging process, traditionally involving tiny cheese mites that help create its distinctive surface.

Yes, mites. On the rind, not in your cheese.

Although you never know what a hungry mite might do.

Who knew?

We decided to give these two a little personality for Halloween. Judging by their expressions, I'm not sure I'd trust either one around an unattended cheese board.

Stop by 109 Cheese this weekend and have a taste of Mimolette.

No tricks. Just cheese. Maybe.

Saturday at 109 Wine — It's About the People

What's special about 109 Wine? The people. Not just our staff, but our customers too.

We've always believed that a good wine shop is as much about the conversations as it is about the bottles on the shelves. And this week's white wine is a perfect example.

We've all been out to dinner, discovered a wonderful wine and had one of those evenings where everything just came together. The food, the company, the conversation and, of course, the wine.

Sometimes the bottle becomes part of the memory.

So the next time that happens, think of us. Take a picture of the label and bring it in. We'll do our best to track it down so you can enjoy it again at home.

After all, what's better than opening a bottle that brings back a great evening?

That's exactly how Château Musar Jeune found its way into 109 Wine. A customer asked us to bring it in, we did, and we've really enjoyed it ourselves.

Sometimes we introduce our customers to new wines. And sometimes our customers introduce us to something wonderful. That's one of the parts of this business we love most.

Château Musar Jeune 2023 — Bekaa Valley, Lebanon

Château Musar has been making wine in Lebanon since 1930. The Jeune wines are made to be enjoyed relatively young, but this 2023 white has had a few years to develop. We think that little bit of age has added another dimension, giving the wine more depth and expression.

It's aromatic and has a little more personality than you might expect. I love it with goat cheese, roasted vegetables, grilled fish or a simple chicken dinner.

If you've never tried a wine from Lebanon, here's a wonderful opportunity.

Icardi Surìsjvan Nebbiolo 2021 — Piemonte, Italy

Nebbiolo is the grape behind Barolo and Barbaresco, two of Italy's most celebrated wines. But you don't have to open an expensive bottle of either to appreciate what makes this grape so interesting.

Icardi's Surìsjvan has lovely cherry and floral notes, a little earthiness and enough tannin to shine with fall dinner plans.

Grilled meats, pork, a slowly simmered beef stew or mushroom risotto would all be right at home with this wine. And I'd start the evening with a piece of well-aged Gouda or Parmigiano Reggiano.

Two wines, two very different personalities, and plenty to talk about.

Gary will be pouring both wines at 109 Wine in Ridgefield this Saturday from 12–5 PM.

Stop in, say hello and have a taste.

After all, the tasting's on us. And we love talking about cheese, wine and stuff.

Bandit's Corner

My Gotcha Day. January 20, 2026.

Hey everybody!

I've been doing a little reminiscing. That's a big word for a little dog, but I've got a pretty good memory, as you all know.

January 20th was the day my whole life changed.

I remember meeting these two humans in Kentucky. Todd and Monica, although I didn't know their names yet. I remember smelling them, getting close and somehow just knowing.

These are my people.

I'd never had a forever home before, but something about them felt like home right away.

Now, this is where things get crazy.

They put me in this really cool car. Beds, pillows, bones, toys. I mean, seriously, this was already looking pretty good.

Then we drove.

And drove.

And drove some more.

We ended up in Kansas City at a place belonging to someone I now know as Aunt Michelle. And there was Ziva, a yellow Labrador!

Cool. Nice house. New friend. I could get used to this.

Next morning? Back in the car.

Now we're in Manhattan, Kansas, meeting Grandma Mildred and more family.

Okay, I'm thinking this must be home.

Nope.

A week later, we're back at Aunt Michelle's for an overnight visit.

Wait a minute. Didn't we already do this?

Then back on the road again.

What the heck?

Another night, another hotel. Mom and Dad said something about me being a "service dog in training." Maybe a room upgrade?

Training for what? I've been servicing these people with kisses and snuggles since the day we met.

Anyway, the room smelled funny.

Next morning, back in the comfy car.

At this point I had one very important question.

IS THE CAR MY HOME???

Well, later that day we finally arrived in Connecticut.

A house! A yard! Places to explore! Room to run around like a complete lunatic!

And people who seemed perfectly happy to let me be a puppy with the zoomies.

Okay. Now we're talking.

Turns out the car wasn't my home after all.

It was just how my new family was taking me there.

And here's the really crazy part.

November 14th I'll be ONE YEAR OLD!

One whole year. Can you believe it?

I've got a home, a family, friends, a boat, road trips, a cheese shop to visit and more people who love me than I ever could have imagined when I was that little puppy in Kentucky.

And I want to say something to all of you who have become part of my world.

To everyone who visits me at 109, stops to say hello, gives me a little love or just puts up with my occasional puppy nonsense—thank you.

To my girl Friday, Pam, and my buddy Echo, thanks for the fun, the visits and all the love.

And to everyone who cares about me, Mom, Dad and our whole 109 family, you mean more to us than you probably know.

Bandit thought of the week: Sometimes you don't know where you're going. Sometimes you don't even know where home is. But when you're with the right people, you'll figure it out together.

And sometimes it takes a few thousand miles.

Love you all,

Bandit Monkey Brown

Platter orders can be placed online making it super easy!

Place your orders for all of the family events and gatherings!

We have some big news!

We are bringing WKNDDRVR to Ridgefield

The walls of 109 Wine will be a continuation of what we have build in Kent. Our fist show opening will be November 12th at 6pm with local artist Thom Montinari. Come have a little cheese and wine and meet Thom and see his work. Bring a vintage car!

There's still time to get out and drive! breathe, eat cheese, get home,

drink wine and repeat if needed.

Organic /Biodynamic / Sustainable

It's what we strive for in all our shops.

The less ingredients the better!

Come visit us and see!

Come visit us at WKNDDRVR and let's talk about cars, detailing, automotive art and so much more.

Do you need a Rally / Pit stop? We have great parking, bathrooms and food! Let us help you coordinate a great driving event. Any questions about the gallery?

Email Us

Come have lunch and sit in the gallery and enjoy!

We are now carrying CarPro and Griot's Garage automotive cleaning and maintenance products in our gallery

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In our gallery now, work from

Chuck Queener

Steve Klucik

Bryan McCarthy

Lans Christensen

Sean Smith

Ridgefield Cheese shop Phone 203 438 5757

Kent Cheese shop and Gallery phone 860 592-0366

Wine shop phone 203 438 5767

Thank you for supporting and believing in us and your continued encouragement.

Monica, Todd & Bandit Brown