about us
Fable Farm Fermentory is a farm-winery growing and producing aged wines, ciders, vinegars, non-alcoholic elixirs and prepared farm-to-table offerings.
FABLE FARM FAMILY
We are a collective of farmers, herbalists, chefs, winemakers, and artists who call the foothills of the Green Mountains our home. Fable is a farm-based winery, gathering space, and culinary group -offering curated and cultural experiences.
⊱On the farm: We grow vibrant, nutrient-rich crops in harmony with nature.
⊱In the fermentory: We craft living wines, ciders, and tonics from fruit, herbs, tree saps, and honey.
⊱In the kitchen: We prepare nutrient-rich, seasonal meals using wholesome ingredients sourced directly from our farm and partner farms in the Feast & Field farmer coop. No seed oils are used ever!
⊱In our orchard and barn: We nurture community, connection, and celebration—hosting public and private gatherings for all.
Alongside our beloved Feast & Field Thursdays, we host Saturday Tasting Rooms, large gatherings/celebrations, private dinners, business retreats, art events, theater productions, and live music on the farm.
EMPLOYMENT
We offer seasonal opportunities for people to come and work alongside us and learn more about farming. Internships vary in length and subject according to the season and the interests of the applicant.
Often, our interns choose to rotate between the farm and the kitchen. We offer a variety of rustic to not-so-rustic accommodations and provisions from our farms. To learn more, contact Christopher at fablefarm@gmail.com
OUR STORY
Fable Farm Fermentory is a farm-based winery producing aged wines and vinegars, among other herbal elixirs. The fermentory is part of a larger family of organizations working together to steward farmland, develop rural businesses, and promote community experiences.
We began our journey as farmers back in 2008 when we initiated our vegetable CSA venture, Fable Farm. We’ve been growing vegetables and hosting festive community galas ever since. Using our CSA pick-up day as an opportunity for community to gather around local food and drink and the farm as a venue for musicians and artists to share their art, we set out to contribute to a thriving rural culture.
Moving to Barnard, Vermont to initiate a CSA vegetable farm brought us forth into a culture and place rich with apples and cider-making lore; and our vegetable farming business provided a financial and cultural incubation for our fermentory and wine-making skills to rise up. The CSA gatherings, initially held in the backyard of an historic farmhouse in downtown Barnard, have since blossomed into a bustling marketplace, now called Feast & Field Market.
Fable Farm Fermentory is collective effort of many folks. Two of them, pictured above, are brothers Jon Piana, and Christopher Piana.
THE LAND
Establishing ourselves in Barnard, a region rich in apples and cider-making lore, laid the groundwork for our fermentory and winemaking endeavors to take root. Over time, our practices evolved from primarily annual vegetable production to a more regenerative, perennial-based approach, deepening our commitment to both the land and our craft. This evolution ultimately shaped the farming philosophy that guides every aspect of Fable Farm Fermentory today.
Nestled in the foothills of the Green Mountains at 1,700 feet, our farm overlooks the Broad Brook watershed—a mosaic of fields, forests, and gardens teeming with ecological diversity. On one side of the valley lies the historic Clark Farm (500 acres of rolling fields and forests) farmed for generations by the Clark Family and others before them, where:
⊱ Fable Farm grows most of our vegetable-fruit gardens and vineyard
⊱ Eastman Farm pastures beef cattle.
⊱ Kiss the Cow manages their dairy operation
On the other side of the Royalton Turnpike, another 350 acres house Fable Farm Fermentory and the Rumney Barn, serving as the headquarters of our agricultural cooperative to process our value added products. By sharing time and resources, we’ve built a model that benefits farmers, the community, and the land itself.
We invite you to come explore the pastoral beauty of our working farm landscape
“At first glance, it appears that Fable Farm has their hands in many things – from markets, to farming, to fermentation, to events. However, taking a small step back, it’s easy to see the harmonious fluidity between food, farm, and community which Fable Farm Fermentory wholeheartedly supports. We love their markets, truly enjoy visiting the Fermentory, and like sharing their ciders and wines with friends. Their libations are unique, and most likely different from anything your friends have tasted before. Pick up a bottle at a local market or go visit the farm yourself – both are an experience you won’t want to miss.”
— Kelby Cushman
“The reality is the Piana brothers are making some of the most fascinating and interesting ciders you will ever taste. They are exploring the outer boundaries of creativity by taking the wine process and melding it with the anything-goes craft beer and natural wine philosophies to offer exciting, pure, refreshing ciders of immense character.”
— Rick VanSickle