SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. -
While some people wait in line for a cup of coffee in the morning, folks in line Friday at Cheese Traders & Wine Sellers in South Burlington were looking for something a little stronger.
"It's sort of a cult gathering that happens every year," shopper Joe Smillie said.
Heavy hitter wine lovers lined up hours before Cheese Traders & Wine Sellers opened, ready to stock up their wine cellars with deals at the annual garage sale.
Reporter Gina Bullard: Do you work out a strategy for when you go in there?
Joe Smillie: Of course and sometimes we even share it.
Even Supreme Court Justice John Dooley was ready to load up.
"Case may have a double meaning today," he noted.
At first it looked a bit like a men's club, but don't worry, the ladies were fashionably late for this pilgrimage to wine mecca.
"We like wine, too," shopper Bonnie Larsen said.
And these shoppers are not messing around, buzzing about strategies and good buys before the doors open. And when they do, it's like teenagers running to meet Justin Bieber-- do not stand in their way.
Cheese Traders & Wine Sellers brings in 50,000 bottles of vino for this seven-day blowout frenzy of a sale-- all marked down to prices any connoisseur would love.
"People go to a restaurant and they say oh look, it's only $40 for this bottle we got $100 wines for $30," Smillie said.
It's become a tradition the store and the shoppers wait for every year. And as you can imagine, this isn't your typical wine buying experience. There was actually a traffic jam in the pinot grigio aisle.
Champagne, chardonnay, merlot-- whatever poison you choose-- don't forget someone else is benefiting here. This year it's the Vermont Symphony Orchestra's SymphonyKids.
All donations are matched by the store.
"It's a wonderful opportunity to spread the word of bringing our symphony in all the schools in Vermont," said Amy Calell of the VSO.
A popping bottles sale that would make you think prohibition was just lifted.
Cheese Traders & Wine Sellers says they have already raised over $4,000 for the VSO. The garage sale will go until Sunday.
