When it comes to leading a sustainable lifestyle, it’s easy to just pick and choose the most straightforward parts. But if lockdown has taught us anything, it’s that being mindful and voting with our wallets is the best way to support those decisions. Which is why we’re so thrilled that Fresh City has extended its commitment to local, organic and sustainable grocery options with a category very close to our hearts: alcoholic beverages.

The Fresh City Bottle Shop is an in-store boutique at 695 Bay Street that's dedicated to featuring unique Canadian producers and sourcing exceptional beverages to pair with your meals. The store’s inventory has been hand selected by Fresh City’s Director of Alcohol Curation and Master Sommelier Jen Huether, who brings the brands ‘Better Life Through Food’ ethos to every purchasing decision. 

Canada's first lady of wine brings 12 years of expertise to Bottle Shop

Huether, Canada’s first female sommelier, brings years of experience and expertise to Fresh City as well as a special attention to sustainable beverages. Every bottle has been specially chosen and curated for a quality befitting of the local and organic retailer.

The new Bottle Shop at Fresh City Farms

The Fresh City Bottle Shop highlights local producers like Southbrook Vineyards, Hidden Bench Estate Winery and Flat Rock Cellars who uphold the values of local terroir and have a vetted commitment to sustainability. Canada’s first lady of wine brings 12 years of expertise and in-depth knowledge of the country's finest certified organic, biodynamic, and vegan offerings to the curation process — so all you have to do is pick your favourite.

In addition to a robust collection of hard-to-find wine, you’ll also find an impressive showing of local beer from Burdock Brewery, cider from Tawse Winery, plus Kinsip gin, Northern Temple vodka and whisky from Nickel 9 Distillery. With such a thought-out collection you really can’t go wrong — and thanks to knowledgeable and friendly Bottle Shop staff, picking the best bottle to pair with any dinner item on your menu is simple.

Perfect pairings from the Bottle Shop at Fresh City Farms

The Fresh City Bottle Shop is adjacent to Fresh City’s Bay Street location, where you can fill your basket with organic groceries, 100 per cent Grassfed and organic meat from The Healthy Butcher, Ocean Wise seafood, artisanal breads and made-from-scratch prepared meals. Now, you can pair consciously sourced Canadian sips with supper in a way that benefits people and the planet alike.

In addition to visiting the Bottle Shop in person, shoppers can hop online to fill up their cup(s). Add red, white and specialty (skin-contact, piquette, canned) wine, as well as beer, cider and spirits to your cart along with your food order (for an additional $4.99 fee, or free with Fresh City Seasons Pass membership). All of their products are conveniently labelled — local, sustainable, certified organic, vegan and biodynamic — so you can shop for all of your individual needs.

Want to try Fresh City? Use promo code FOODISM to receive 20% off your first order (up to $100).

Head to the Bottle Shop at freshcityfarms.com/BottleShop or better still, check out Canada’s best producers under one roof at 695 Bay Street.