An #Instameet tour of our Slate Quarry
Earlier this month we invited four Instagrammers on an exclusive tour of our slate quarry in upstate New York. The photographers — @danielseunglee, @ginnymae, @jungletimer, & @liz_devine — had the opportunity to explore and photograph the grounds of the quarry and mill and get a first hand look at how we source and manufacture our cheese boards. The bulk of the photos seen here were taken with mobile phones.
En route to the quarry, the Instagrammers stopped off at nearby Consider Bardwell Farm, Vermont's oldest cheesemaking co-op and producer of award winning Manchester and Dorset cheeses.
Consider Bardwell Farm was founded in 1864 by Consider Stebbins Bardwell himself; Jersey cows striking a pose; the Instagram crew pays a visit to the farm's baby goats (@danielseunglee; @jungletimer; @brooklynslate).
@jungletimer strikes a pose in the barn; Consider Bardwell produces a number of award winning cheeses, including Manchester and Dorset cheeses, pictured here; goats ready for their close up (@danielseunglee; @jungletimer; @liz_devine).
The landscape transitions to vivid oranges and yellows on the drive from Brooklyn to upstate New York. @ginnymae takes in the fall foliage (@ginnymae).
At the quarry, the Instagrammers took a trip down to the quarry pit and traced the stone's path up to the cutting mill. Founded in 1897, the quarry has been in continuous operation ever since. Our family has been operating the quarry since the 1940's.
@danielseunglee descending into the quarry; the Instagrammers striking a pose in the quarry pit; the road leading up to the cutting mill (@liz_devine; @brooklynslate; @liz_devine).
Odd shaped pieces of slate; the mill is lined with shelves of old tools and stone; slate is split by hand before being cut down into more manageable sizes (@ginnymae; @danielseunglee; @danielseunglee).
A wall of raw stone in the quarry pit; the finished product (@danielseunglee).
Following the trip to the quarry, the Instagram crew enjoyed some downtime before cocktail hour and a farm to table dinner produced by Brooklyn Slate's resident chef Keiko Connor. The family style meal highlighted regional fare from Consider Bardwell Farm, Vermont Creamery, Castleton Crackers, and Vermont Salumi.
Relaxing (and Instagramming) before dinner; the table is set, featuring a centerpiece vase from Farmhouse Pottery; the view for the evening's meal (@jungletimer; @danielseunglee; @liz_devine).
Cocktail hour kicks off with The Quarryman, featuring WhistlePig 10 Year Straight Rye Whiskey, lemon juice, ginger syrup, and bitters; a cheese plate featuring cheeses from Vermont Creamery and Consider Bardwell Farm (@ginnymae).
Pan-seared beets with carrots, pistachio, and whipped goat cheese; Fleisher's pork blade roast with rosemary, garlic, and lemon; dinner is served (@liz_devine; @ginnymae; @liz_devine).
The weekend concluded the next morning with a trip to Rathbun's Maple Sugar House Restaurant, a breakfast spot and maple syrup producer nestled in the foothills of the Champlain Valley. Rathbun's has developed a reputation for incomparable staples like pancakes and french toast, complimented by their maple syrup produced right in back of the restaurant.
A busy morning at Rathbun's; @liz_devine pours on the maple syrup; apple cider pancakes, among other favorites (@liz_devine; @jungletimer; @brooklynslate).
Maple sap lines run throughout the property; @jungletimer in a swirl of fall foliage; maple syrup samples on display in the sugar shack; the entrance to the sugar shack, which has been producing maple syrup for four decades (@ginnymae; @liz_devine; @brooklynslate).
Enjoying the turning leaves and cool autumn weather before heading back to New York City (@liz_devine; beanie by Syrup Souvenir Shop).
Liz Devine (@liz_devine) is NYC based, established in Oregon. She finds herself wandering towards oceans, palm trees, and good music. She is happiest when she is summering. • lizdevine.com
Daniel Seung Lee (@danielseunglee) is a portrait and travel photographer based in New York City. His perspective on everyday life & the people he interacts with is unlike anyone I know, allowing him to create work that is at once subtle and breathtaking. He also has great hair. • danielseunglee.com
Virginia Mae (@ginnymae) is a food, travel and lifestyle photographer based in New York City. An avid storyteller from an early age, her passion for photography was born when a kindly neighbor gifted her a 35mm film camera as a child. She's since travelled around the world and behind the scenes at some of the most revered kitchens in the industry • virginiamae.com
Lisa Weatherbee (@jungletimer) is a portrait and lifestyle photographer based in NYC. Lover of animals, vacations and snacks. • lweatherbeephotography.com