Dare Bottleshop’s Wines And Provisions Enhance Those Take-A-Breath Moments
Dare Bottle Shop & Provisions at 11 Housatonic Street in Lenox, Massachusetts is purpose built to take those moments when you’re the most content, most happy and most relaxed and make them even better. The open and airy shop offers a wide selection of high quality and uncommon wines, as well as artisanal pantry supplies. Armed with their thoughtfully curated goods, owners Mary and Ben Daire are trying to help customers slow things down a little.
“Life is just flying by,” said Mary Daire. “We have too few of these precious moments when time stops, when you’re relaxing with family and friends. We are trying to provide the accompaniments to those moments.”
Mary was born and raised in Pittsfield. Shortly after she finished undergrad her sister Molly Lyon was purchasing the Lenox restaurant Spagalina, now Frankie’s. It was then that Mary met Ben, a French, Michelin-trained chef who had been wowing area diners for some time. They hit it off and not long after, Mary found herself selling her car and flying to France where she and Ben spent the next five years. While there, Mary got her masters in business, became fully fluent in French; they both sharpened their expertise in food and wine. Mary says being able to study wine and work in the industry in Provence was a dream and gave her and Ben insight into the craft that influences their approach at Dare.
They came back stateside and the industrious couple founded the wine export agency, Melusine Wines, through which they bring lesser-known wines from unique low-intervention wineries to the United States. Now those are the wines they’re championing at Dare.
At the same time Ben Daire started his tenure in the kitchen at Alta Wine Bar in Lenox, and Mary got yet another degree, this time in teaching, and began teaching French at Pittsfield High School. But after starting a family, the crazy hours of working in kitchens wasn’t working for Ben anymore. The Daire’s initially thought to open their own restaurant but the pandemic shifted their thinking. They decided to lean into their love of sharing the stories of wine and their desire to help educate their community about flavors and pairings even connoisseurs may not have had the chance to try.
“We think it’s really fun to try a bottle that’s a little different,” said Mary Daire. “To try something that hasn’t made it onto the distribution scene yet.”
Now, along with selling their bespoke selection of vino and provisions like canned fish, pastas, sauces, oil, and fresh bread from nearby Creature Bread, Dare is also putting on events. Tastings at the bottle shop aren’t just sales pitches but thoughtfully presented lessons on what’s new and noteworthy. Their connections to the wine business allows the Daire’s to present elusive bottles you'd be hard pressed to find on your own.
“We like to say, open your palate and your mind will follow,” Mary Daire said.
Along with monthly wine tastings and classes, Dare will also soon be hosting its first Spring Market on May 21, an open house to bring the community into the spacious shop and share the spotlight with other local provayers.
“Lenox is such a great village to be a part of,” Mary Daire said. “Along with everything else opening the shop has given us this amazing opportunity to get to know our community better."
The Daires say their emphasis is on stories. They hope the stories that give each bottle of wine its unique character will enhance the story of the moment you enjoy it. It's warm, welcoming and calm here. The only dare is to try something new.
Dare Bottle Shop and Provisions
11 Housatonic Street, in Lenox, MA.
(413) 551-7394
Open Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m
Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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