Hank Zona - The Grapes Unwrapped
@hankzona.bsky.social
Plant-based beverages. Wine & spirits event professional, educator, consultant, writer, media-ing on almost anything related to wine and spirits including food, art, music, culture (high, low and in between brow), travel. More interesting stuff on IG
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The Best Restaurants in Newark, New Jersey
A legendary diner, a Portuguese butcher, and a tavern with a destination-worthy burger
ny.eater.com
My latest for Eater, an extensive food map of the often maligned but resilient and culturally ascendant city of Newark, NJ. 🍽️ #Foodsky #WritingCommunity #Newark #NewJersey #Eater
ny.eater.com/maps/the-bes...
ny.eater.com/maps/the-bes...
Reposted by Hank Zona - The Grapes Unwrapped
💕 Can we please make this a thing? A vastly superior option to fighting crowds or online traffic to buy unnecessary stuff that was never its non-sale price, anyway.
I abhor #BlackFriday, the day after we mark our gratitude for what we have. Celebrate #NoirFriday instead, as I have for a dozen years. Gather friends and family and open a few Pinot Noirs. It'll be the best deal of the day. Here is one from two of my favorite wine folks. #wine #winewriter #Winesky
November 28, 2025 at 3:10 PM
💕 Can we please make this a thing? A vastly superior option to fighting crowds or online traffic to buy unnecessary stuff that was never its non-sale price, anyway.
I abhor #BlackFriday, the day after we mark our gratitude for what we have. Celebrate #NoirFriday instead, as I have for a dozen years. Gather friends and family and open a few Pinot Noirs. It'll be the best deal of the day. Here is one from two of my favorite wine folks. #wine #winewriter #Winesky
November 28, 2025 at 3:02 PM
I abhor #BlackFriday, the day after we mark our gratitude for what we have. Celebrate #NoirFriday instead, as I have for a dozen years. Gather friends and family and open a few Pinot Noirs. It'll be the best deal of the day. Here is one from two of my favorite wine folks. #wine #winewriter #Winesky
Thank you, Jesus! Happy Thanksgiving! #Thanksgiving #Thanksgivingsky
November 28, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Thank you, Jesus! Happy Thanksgiving! #Thanksgiving #Thanksgivingsky
Reposted by Hank Zona - The Grapes Unwrapped
this book comes out on Tuesday and I'm proud of it -- I think it's a good read. admittedly, it has fewer pornographic film titles in it than "Devil House" did, but that's a high bar to clear. buy a copy at your local or get it here: thisyearbook.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:05 AM
this book comes out on Tuesday and I'm proud of it -- I think it's a good read. admittedly, it has fewer pornographic film titles in it than "Devil House" did, but that's a high bar to clear. buy a copy at your local or get it here: thisyearbook.com
The Thanksgiving Day Parade isn't the same without Bullwinkle...or me.
November 27, 2025 at 5:52 PM
The Thanksgiving Day Parade isn't the same without Bullwinkle...or me.
In the hierarchy of what I am thankful for, #wine is not tops on the list, but it's up there, because of my reasons why. It's in my latest Substack. I am thankful to those who read it. #Winesky #WritingCommunity
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
I Am Thankful For Wine
There's more to it, of course.
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:13 PM
In the hierarchy of what I am thankful for, #wine is not tops on the list, but it's up there, because of my reasons why. It's in my latest Substack. I am thankful to those who read it. #Winesky #WritingCommunity
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
Did you Nouveau? Did you know? Do you go in for Bojo? Some thoughts in my latest Substack. #wine #winewriter #Winesky #Beaujolais #BeaujolaisNouveau
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
There's Got To Be A Morning After (Beaujolais Nouveau Day)
...or is it 'Ruined It For All Other Beaujolais Day'?
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Did you Nouveau? Did you know? Do you go in for Bojo? Some thoughts in my latest Substack. #wine #winewriter #Winesky #Beaujolais #BeaujolaisNouveau
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
A #wine rep friend texted about stopping by to have me taste some things. I am fortunate that when I cant make it to the store that manages my wine club, reps and winemakers will stop by my home. Anyway, we had this exchange. A new AVA in the Pine Tree State? #Winesky #wine
November 19, 2025 at 7:57 PM
My latest...yet another #Thanksgiving #wine piece. Except I also run an an almost annual pre-holiday Thanksgiving wine dinner without annoying relatives. My #1 rec--don't be a wine hump. And yes, that's my original art. #Winesky #WritingCommunity
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
Trying My Hand at the Thanksgiving Wine Suggestions Thing
My perspective is likely different than yours. No, really. It's likely similar in some ways, too.
open.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:58 PM
My latest...yet another #Thanksgiving #wine piece. Except I also run an an almost annual pre-holiday Thanksgiving wine dinner without annoying relatives. My #1 rec--don't be a wine hump. And yes, that's my original art. #Winesky #WritingCommunity
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
Of course the White House is willing to release the Amelia Earhardt files. Earhardt wasn't 15 when she was forced to go down.
November 16, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Of course the White House is willing to release the Amelia Earhardt files. Earhardt wasn't 15 when she was forced to go down.
I think her full name is Megyn R. Kelly.
November 14, 2025 at 7:41 PM
I think her full name is Megyn R. Kelly.
Yesterday was the Feast of St. Martin, a patron saint of #wine. I wrote about the legends, traditions, ties to Veterans Day, food, art, proverbs, identity theft, the basics. #Winesky #WritingCommunity #Writingsky
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
It's The Feast Day of a Patron Saint of Wine
St. Martin legends, traditions, link to Veterans Day and proverbs (one for our times perhaps).
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Yesterday was the Feast of St. Martin, a patron saint of #wine. I wrote about the legends, traditions, ties to Veterans Day, food, art, proverbs, identity theft, the basics. #Winesky #WritingCommunity #Writingsky
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
So disappointed in my alma mater. I'm done with them. @cornelluniversity.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 1:13 PM
So disappointed in my alma mater. I'm done with them. @cornelluniversity.bsky.social
Happy Halloween!
Truly, the Great Pumpkin exists. It's my 13th Annual Wine Pumpkin. A grown-up treat, no trick to it.
#Halloweensky #Winesky #wine #winewriter #pumpkin #winepumpkin #Halloween
Truly, the Great Pumpkin exists. It's my 13th Annual Wine Pumpkin. A grown-up treat, no trick to it.
#Halloweensky #Winesky #wine #winewriter #pumpkin #winepumpkin #Halloween
October 31, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Happy Halloween!
Truly, the Great Pumpkin exists. It's my 13th Annual Wine Pumpkin. A grown-up treat, no trick to it.
#Halloweensky #Winesky #wine #winewriter #pumpkin #winepumpkin #Halloween
Truly, the Great Pumpkin exists. It's my 13th Annual Wine Pumpkin. A grown-up treat, no trick to it.
#Halloweensky #Winesky #wine #winewriter #pumpkin #winepumpkin #Halloween
My quickest and cheapest #wine related costume ever. Not sure I've reached phenolic ripeness in life, however. #Halloweensky #Winesky #winewriter
October 31, 2025 at 12:29 PM
My quickest and cheapest #wine related costume ever. Not sure I've reached phenolic ripeness in life, however. #Halloweensky #Winesky #winewriter
I try to do one contemporary/cultural themed pumpkin every year for Halloween. #Halloween #Halloween2025 #pumpkin #jackolantern #Halloweensky
October 30, 2025 at 1:39 PM
I try to do one contemporary/cultural themed pumpkin every year for Halloween. #Halloween #Halloween2025 #pumpkin #jackolantern #Halloweensky
I get too many trick or treaters to be able to give out the full size of these so kids will have to accept the fun size version. They can take two, though. #Halloween #Halloween2025 #trickortreat #Halloweensky
October 29, 2025 at 8:27 PM
I get too many trick or treaters to be able to give out the full size of these so kids will have to accept the fun size version. They can take two, though. #Halloween #Halloween2025 #trickortreat #Halloweensky
Its #NationalCatDay. Not to be confused with International Cat Day in August which I guess celebrates international breeds like Siamese, British, Japanese, Balinese, etc. Anyway, while I am not anti-cat, most of us can agree on this - don't be Shut-In Cat Guy. #wine #winewriter #Catsky #Winesky
October 29, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Its #NationalCatDay. Not to be confused with International Cat Day in August which I guess celebrates international breeds like Siamese, British, Japanese, Balinese, etc. Anyway, while I am not anti-cat, most of us can agree on this - don't be Shut-In Cat Guy. #wine #winewriter #Catsky #Winesky
Some of my previous Halloween pumpkin creations. Notice a pattern? #Winesky #Halloweensky #Pumpkinsky #wine #winewriter #Halloween #pumpkin #pumpkincarving
October 25, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Some of my previous Halloween pumpkin creations. Notice a pattern? #Winesky #Halloweensky #Pumpkinsky #wine #winewriter #Halloween #pumpkin #pumpkincarving
Not sure why a Catholic university commissioned this sculpture of Greg Allman hugging Gavin Newsom.
October 24, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Not sure why a Catholic university commissioned this sculpture of Greg Allman hugging Gavin Newsom.
I am recently back from an inspiring trip to Sicily and Sardinia so I made a couple of dishes because part of that inspiration was a reminder to enjoy and appreciate simplicity and what is right in front of you. #Cookingsky #Winesky #Travelsky #Pastasky
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
For National Pasta Day, My Omaggio to Simplicity
my recent trip to Sicily renewed my interest in Pasta alla Norma and a good bottle of wine
open.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:55 PM
I am recently back from an inspiring trip to Sicily and Sardinia so I made a couple of dishes because part of that inspiration was a reminder to enjoy and appreciate simplicity and what is right in front of you. #Cookingsky #Winesky #Travelsky #Pastasky
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
Now that its colder, I thought I'd look for the last of the stringbeans in my garden. Glad I was wearing a hat. As one friend said, with the size hat you need to wear, that's a lot of stringbeans! And there may be yet another picking pass. #homegardener #justahomecook #Gardensky #Cookingsky
October 16, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Now that its colder, I thought I'd look for the last of the stringbeans in my garden. Glad I was wearing a hat. As one friend said, with the size hat you need to wear, that's a lot of stringbeans! And there may be yet another picking pass. #homegardener #justahomecook #Gardensky #Cookingsky
There was one thing noticeably missing in my recent dining experiences in Sicily and Sardinia, and I did not mind at all-- garlic. Its overuse and misuse here in Italian-American food makes it less Italian. Some thoughts on allium abuse. #Foodsky #WritingCommunity
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
My First Observation Piece After 2 1/2 Weeks in Italy Will Likely Be Divisive.
We are over-reliant on garlic here in America.
open.substack.com
October 16, 2025 at 9:02 PM
There was one thing noticeably missing in my recent dining experiences in Sicily and Sardinia, and I did not mind at all-- garlic. Its overuse and misuse here in Italian-American food makes it less Italian. Some thoughts on allium abuse. #Foodsky #WritingCommunity
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
I got some surprising traction on this elsewhere, so I'll post it here too. My thoughts, as a part Italian-American, on #ColumbusDay, why it should and shouldn't be problematic and why Italian-Americans deserve and can do better. #WritingCommunity #Writingsky open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...
It is Problematically Columbus Day.
Why it should be and shouldn't be. Italian-American contributions should be marked, but we can do better.
open.substack.com
October 14, 2025 at 2:36 PM
I got some surprising traction on this elsewhere, so I'll post it here too. My thoughts, as a part Italian-American, on #ColumbusDay, why it should and shouldn't be problematic and why Italian-Americans deserve and can do better. #WritingCommunity #Writingsky open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...