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
Pinned
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...
Good mail delivery today! Excited to dig into this by one of the smartest music writers anywhere and one of the best voices here on this site. First glance--really cool premise and layout. Of course. @themountaingoats.bsky.social #MountainGoats
December 3, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Good mail delivery today! Excited to dig into this by one of the smartest music writers anywhere and one of the best voices here on this site. First glance--really cool premise and layout. Of course. @themountaingoats.bsky.social #MountainGoats
What I find amusing about the Nuzzi and/or Lizza criticism is that mining material from past relationships and throwing people under the bus is not something new with the literati. It's intellectual low-hanging fruit, cheap and easy, sure, but not uncommon with some writers. #WritingCommunity
December 3, 2025 at 2:19 PM
What I find amusing about the Nuzzi and/or Lizza criticism is that mining material from past relationships and throwing people under the bus is not something new with the literati. It's intellectual low-hanging fruit, cheap and easy, sure, but not uncommon with some writers. #WritingCommunity
I have to resolve a concert conflict. Do I go see Yo La Tengo on their sold out annual Hannukah NYC residency or the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center performing the Brandenburg Concertos? #livemusicisbetter #Musicsky #musiclover
December 3, 2025 at 12:32 PM
I have to resolve a concert conflict. Do I go see Yo La Tengo on their sold out annual Hannukah NYC residency or the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center performing the Brandenburg Concertos? #livemusicisbetter #Musicsky #musiclover
I find pre-printed #Christmas cards w nothing at all handwritten pretty lazy and impersonal. If its the thought that counts, the thought is 'obligatory.' This one was troubling because I have no idea who it's from AND it features their cat with wording like "purr-fect holiday."
December 3, 2025 at 12:11 PM
I find pre-printed #Christmas cards w nothing at all handwritten pretty lazy and impersonal. If its the thought that counts, the thought is 'obligatory.' This one was troubling because I have no idea who it's from AND it features their cat with wording like "purr-fect holiday."
It is #GivingTuesday. Consider donating your time, not just money. Volunteerism is down all over, and while money is critical to keep the motors running, too many organizations are in desperate need of drivers to move their efforts forward.
December 2, 2025 at 2:25 PM
It is #GivingTuesday. Consider donating your time, not just money. Volunteerism is down all over, and while money is critical to keep the motors running, too many organizations are in desperate need of drivers to move their efforts forward.
I need to choose one layer cake:
chocolate cake with orange buttercream
or
pistachio saffron cake with pistachio buttercream
chocolate cake with orange buttercream
or
pistachio saffron cake with pistachio buttercream
December 1, 2025 at 1:27 PM
I need to choose one layer cake:
chocolate cake with orange buttercream
or
pistachio saffron cake with pistachio buttercream
chocolate cake with orange buttercream
or
pistachio saffron cake with pistachio buttercream
America's pastime.
November 30, 2025 at 12:31 PM
America's pastime.
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