Online rare wine auction opens December 1; Intimate benefit dinner on December 4
Vermont Business Magazine As the holiday season begins and kitchens across Vermont warm up with great food and wine, 5th Quarter Butcher + Provisions (Waitsfield) and The Local: Wine + Beer (Middlesex / Waitsfield) are teaming up to give back with a weeklong online auction and a one-night-only benefit dinner. 100% of proceeds will directly benefit Community Harvest of Central Vermont.
The centerpiece of the fundraiser is an online auction running December 1–7, featuring an extraordinary lineup of rare and vintage wines generously donated from the private cellar of Mad River local Larry Consenstein. Additional bottles and high-value bundles will be available from Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Mad River Distillers, Wunderkammer, and Freak Folk, along with Mad River Glen, Hotel Vermont, Jasper Hill Farms, Hen of the Wood, Barr Hill and Zero Gravity.
The auction provides an accessible way for wine enthusiasts from Vermont and beyond to contribute to the critical work of feeding Vermonters this holiday season.
Complementing the online auction is an intimate ticketed dinner on Thursday, December 4, held in The Tasting Room at The Local’s Middlesex shop. Inspired by the generosity of Consenstein—who has donated more than a case of rare wines from his personal cellar—the evening will feature a five-course meal prepared by Chef Josh Turka, owner of 5th Quarter Butcher + Provisions. The beverage pairings will be donated by Vermont Wine Merchants, showcasing a prestige lineup of fine wines, while Master Sommelier David Keck will present one special bottle from Consenstein’s collection after each course for a live auction among attendees.
A limited number of tickets for the dinner are still available for purchase here. This prestige event is made possible by the contributions and partnership of local businesses including Hen of the Wood, Provisions International, Snug Valley Farm, Woods Mountain Fish, Killeen Crossroads Farm, Seacrest Foods, Clear Water Filtration, Morse Block Deli and The Goose Chase Cake Design.
“We’re continually grateful for the support we feel from this community. In a year when many Vermonters are facing ongoing uncertainty, we want to do our best to pay it forward by supporting the important work of the Community Harvest of Central Vermont,” said Josh Turka of 5th Quarter Butcher + Provisions.
Sam Rosenberg, owner of The Local, added, “These events bring together amazing people, exceptional food and wine, and a shared commitment to making sure more Vermont families can gather around full tables this holiday season.”
All funds raised through both the online auction and the benefit dinner will be donated to the Community Harvest of Central Vermont (CHCV) which recovers surplus, fresh food from local farms through volunteer efforts and then distributes to both homes with limited access to healthy food, and community kitchens throughout the state. CHCV connects volunteers with more than 30 charitable food sites and 50 farm and food businesses to provide local, nutritious food to nearly 17,000 Central Vermont residents each year while reducing food waste, improving nutrition and building community awareness around the local food system.
For more information about the online auction, purchasing tickets to the dinner, or joining the fundraising efforts, please contact 5th Quarter Butcher + Provisions [[email protected]] or The Local: Wine + Beer [[email protected]].
About 5th Quarter Butcher + Provisions:
Located in the heart of the Mad River Valley, 5th Quarter Butcher + Provisions is known across Vermont and around New England as a whole animal butcher shop and purveyor of high-quality, locally sourced meats, housemade sausage, specialty food and expert customer service. In 2025, 5th Quarter expanded its wholesale and retail butcher brand into a full-service specialty food destination.
About The Local:
The Local: Wine & Beer in Middlesex, VT offers a carefully curated selection of wine and beer with a focus on small producers and sustainably grown vineyards. The shop provides an intimate and personalized shopping experience, helping customers discover wines that perfectly complement their tastes and meals. The Tasting Room at The Local offers a unique space for dinners, hosting winemakers, private events, and more.
Waitsfield, VT – November 24, 2025 – 5th Quarter Butcher + Provisions
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