Calvert Woodley Catalog 2025 - Flipbook - Page 18
Calvert Woodley CUSTOMER APPRECIATION
Hannah Burdette &
Noah Adams
Where are you from, and when did you
move to the DC area?
We are from Little Rock, Arkansas and met at
a small liberal arts school in the state called
Hendrix College. We moved to the DC area
in 2021 after Hannah accepted an offer to
attend George Washington Law School.
Where do you live now?
When we first moved to the DMV, we got a small apartment in Arlington
near the Lyon Village neighborhood. About a year-and-a-half ago we moved
to a building right near the Van Ness metro station and discovered Calvert
Woodley!
Age: Late 20s.
What do you do for a living?
Hannah is an attorney in DC practicing antitrust law and Noah is a state
policy analyst at the American Federation of Teachers.
How and when did you become interested in wine, beer, and/or cheese?
Hannah: I spent a semester studying in Brussels, Belgium and loved learning
all about the rich history of brewing and beer culture in Belgium. I especially
liked learning about (and tasting!) Belgian abbey beers. I also spent some
time in France, where I learned that five euros can buy you a stellar bottle of
wine if you know what you’re looking for!
Noah: Like Hannah, travel is what opened my palate to more complex
flavors. In college I got the unique opportunity to sing in an international
chorus in Prague. The every-day beer there, Kozel, was delicious and
affordable, proving to me that good beer could be both. During our trip, we
also took a three-day excursion to Vienna where we attended a wine tasting
and I had the late realization that there was more to wine than just red &
white.
How and when did you discover CW?
When we moved into our current apartment, our closest metro stop
became the Van Ness stop. With CW so close by, it was only a matter of
days after moving before we stumbled in. We could immediately tell this
was a neighborhood institution. Wine, beer, cheese, delicatessen meats,
coffee – what more could we ask for?
Michael McKenzie
Where are you from, and when did you move to
the DC area?
I was born in DC, left for NYC, and returned in
2000.
Where do you live now?
My wife and I live in NW, in Crestwood DC.
Age: I am 70 plus.
What do you do for a living?
I work as an attorney.While I was in New York
City, I was involved with several large law firms, and for the last 20 years I've
been in solo practice.
How and when did you become interested in wine, beer, and, or cheese?
In college as a sophomore I began to work for the college wine society and
at the end of each Saturday I could keep the opened wine back to my dorm
room. YUMMY.
How and when did you discover CW?
When my wife worked at UDC, we had only one car and we parked at the
university and started shopping at CW. We met Ed and Michael and the CW
team. Everyone was both friendly and knowledgeable. That was in 2002.
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How does wine fit into your lifestyle?
“Should we stop by CW on our way home?” has become a frequent refrain for
us. Since we don’t have much storage space, we’re usually stopping by to buy
just the bottle that we’ll enjoy that night. Sometimes it’s a bold red that makes a
quiet night in feel cozy and rich, or maybe a bright, crisp white that turns an
ordinary dinner into something worth lingering over. Whether we’re clinking
glasses on a cozy Tuesday night or toasting to life’s biggest milestones, a great
wine has a way of making everything feel just a bit more special.
Do you have a wine/beer/cellar/collection?
Unfortunately not, as our apartment is not big enough to collect anything
much bigger than coins, but it is something we aspire to.
What are your favorite wines/beers/cheeses for everyday drinking/eating?
Noah: I like things with a little funk to them -- natural wines, saisons, and
pungent cheeses (though Hannah is even more adventurous than I with
cheeses).
Hannah: My preferences change a lot with the seasons. In the middle of
D.C. summer, I want a crisp Sancerre and a little prosciutto on the patio. In
the winter, a full-bodied Shiraz and a cozy blanket, please. Or a
Montepulciano … anytime.
Do you have a favorite "special occasion" wine/beer/cheese?
For special occasions we may be playing with a higher budget, but we still ask
for recommendations so we can try new things. We’ve got lots to learn!
What do you like best about CW?
The staff, hands down. No matter what our wine question is, the CW staff
have an answer. We can (and do) walk in with really varied pairing requests –
sometimes hyper-specific, sometimes incredibly vague. Something to pair
with pomegranate glazed chicken. Something “weird.” Something to go with
a rainy day. One time, Noah brought a fresh baked cheesecake in on the
way to a party – Bill paired it with a perfect bottle of bubbles. The team is
always excited to show us their latest find. It also helps that the selection of
products (wines, beers, cheeses, meats, coffees, liquors, etc.) is top notch and
often unique due to CW’s many direct importer relationships. Finally, we
have to give a shout out to the “cheese treasures” box – it’s often our
answer to “what’s for dinner” after a long day.
Do you have a "wine/beer/food philosophy"?
Our general philosophy for life is to take every opportunity to celebrate.
Even little things, maybe especially the little things, deserve recognition. And
what is a celebration without good food and drink?
How does wine fit into your lifestyle?
We love to cook, and we like having wine with dinner, or just to relax after
work.
Do you have a wine cellar?
Yessir, I have a wine refrigerator upstairs in the dining room and a wine cellar
downstairs in the basement.
What are your favorite wines/beers/cheeses for everyday drinking/eating?
In summer I like rosé or Chardonnay, but I tend to go with Burgundy or
Bordeaux in winter, but really, I drink all types. Of course, we must drink
Champagne to celebrate.
La Grande Dame was my go-to for special occasions. However, 3 years ago I
attended a CW sponsored Bollinger wine dinner. Now my new fav is
Grande Annee Brut.
What do you like best about CW?
The staff is really friendly and knowledgeable; its location near my house;
great selection of Bordeaux and Ben’s weekly picks.
Do you have a "wine/beer/food philosophy"?
To quote Churchill, “I love Champagne—in victory I deserve it, and in defeat
I need it.’ ”
