The selection of alcohol at Ellen’s Wine and Spirits in Ridgewood, Queens is organized differently than most other liquor stores. In the store owned by sommelier Debbie Ellen Jones, the wines and spirits are labeled with colored stickers that indicate categories such as female power, minority, and I love NY. This system helps Jones call attention to underrepresented and local producers that you might not find in other stores. The inventory at Ellen’s features New York-based, female, and minority-owned, organic, and biodynamic producers, as well as high-quality wines sourced from around the globe.
To make the stock even more accessible, it is also categorized by price, so you can walk in and go right to a quality product within your price range. Helpful information about each bottle is displayed on a tiny notecard that lets you know who the producer is, what types of grapes were used to make it, where it’s from and what it tastes like. The tasting notes are illustrated by fun emojis!
On February 3rd, join owner Debbie Ellen Jones and Amy Grindeland, co-owner and founder of Fort Hamilton Distillery, for a night of delicious cocktail tastings that will feature the flavors of New York! Using Fort Hamilton spirits, Debbie and Amy will whip up maple old-fashioned drinks and negronis. The maple old-fashioned will feature New York maple that is aged in Fort Hamilton’s used whiskey barrels to add a unique twist to a classic cocktail. Fort Hamilton Distillery is based in Brooklyn.
In addition to the New York-focused cocktails, Ellen’s Wine and Spirits will provide yummy small bites from the local Ridgewood restaurant Rolo’s and a local cheese shop. This event is free for Untapped New York Insiders. Not an Insider yet? Become a member today to gain access to free in-person and virtual experiences every month.
Nicole Saraniero is the Insider-in-Chief at Untapped New York, leading our Untapped New York Insiders membership program. Nicole graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Science in Televis
