The owner and founder of The Fermented Pig, a beloved mainstay at local farmers’ markets, has died.
Josh Plante died unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 12, the artisanal meat supplier announced a day later on social media. Most of The Fermented Pig’s operations, including the recently opened Merrifield retail store, have closed “until further notice.”
“He was a passionate leader, beloved mentor, and a cherished member of the broader Vienna community,” The Fermented Pig said. “His family expresses their gratitude for your loving thoughts and prayers and request for privacy at this very difficult time.”
The Oakton Tasting Room remains open for business, according to Frank Kuhns, owner of Settle Down Easy Brewing, which contracted The Fermented Pig to operate the tasting room.
The Fermented Pig began selling bacon, sausage, charcuterie and other handcrafted, custom-made meats in the Vienna area in 2018, according to Northern Virginia Magazine, which first reported Plante’s death.
The business offers free local deliveries, catering and wholesale services. It also regularly appears at farmers’ markets around the D.C. area, including ones in Vienna, Reston, Herndon and at the Mosaic District in Merrifield.
Plante established his first brick-and-mortar location in 2022, teaming up with Settle Down Easy Brewing to open the Oakton Tasting Room in Hunter Mill Plaza. The restaurant and bar serves burgers, roasted fish, bratwurst and more, with “a big emphasis” on local producers and seasonal ingredients.
More recently, The Fermented Pig opened its first retail store on May 15 at 8213 Route 29, just outside the Mosaic District. In addition to its own products, including hot barbecue for pick-up, the store sells a variety of goods from other local businesses, such as pretzels from Reston’s Nordic Knots and baked goods from The Good Stuff Bakery.
As if that wasn’t enough, The Fermented Pig was in the midst of its another season running Ovations, the restaurant that provides buffet and picnic meals at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. The partnership began in 2021 after the park finished renovations that replaced the restaurant’s tents with permanent pavilions.
“Josh was a trusted partner of ours and a friend to many at Wolf Trap and the broader Vienna community. We join all in extending condolences to the entire Fermented Pig family,” Wolf Trap said on its Ovations website, announcing that the restaurant was closed indefinitely and that preordered picnic boxes and reservations were canceled.
Plante’s impact on the community was evident in the messages left under The Fermented Pig’s announcement of his death on Facebook. Friends, acquaintances and supporters of the business called the news “heartbreaking” and praised his advocacy for local businesses, describing him as kind, generous and enthusiastic.
Recognizing Plante’s death during the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting this morning (Tuesday), Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said the community has “lost a true culinary visionary” who affected “countless people through his love of food” and service to others.
“He quickly built a place [with the Oakton Tasting Room] for the community to gather, share stories and celebrate life,” Palchik said. “Josh Plante, a passionate leader and Vienna local, was a beloved mentor, father, cherished member of the Fairfax County culinary community, and he will be deeply missed.”
This story has been corrected after initially saying that The Oakton Tasting Room temporarily closed. Owner Frank Kuhns says Settle Down Easy Brewing is keeping it open.
