About us

In 2006, two aspiring classical musicians deeply in love were wed: Judd Burton (myself), a French hornist, and Xiaoguo Zhu, a violinist. Xiaoguo had always told me her family was in the cashmere/wool sweater and knitwear business in Wenzhou, China. My American mind instinctually conjured up the worst possible images of large sweatshops cranking out sweaters! Upon my first trip to Wenzhou, however, I quickly realized my preconceived notions couldn't have been further from the truth. The Zhu family workshop, established in 1987, is a small family business with fewer than 50 employees built on the ideas of community and fair treatment of its workers. They specialize in making premium 100% cashmere and wool sweaters and knitwear. I discovered no "sweatshop," but instead, most workers were working from the comfort of their own homes, happily making sweaters and scarves! It was quite beautiful and touching. Throughout the years, the Zhu family business had been very successful in exporting sweaters and knitwear all over Europe and Asia, from Italy, Russia, Australia, and Japan. In 1999, Xiaoguo's mother, Yueqiu, opened a small boutique knitting shop where she could showcase her art of creating hand-knit wool and cashmere wearables.

Fast forward a few years to my time playing the French horn in the U.S. military bands. It was during my time in the service that I met Nathan Gale, a trumpeter (and expert finance guru), and his wife, also a trumpeter, Kristen Gale. A quick and lasting friendship developed between us that has now spanned a few decades. The idea of doing business together or coordinating on some venture was always a topic of discussion but never really materialized.

In 2021, Xiaoguo and I, through the reflective year of Covid, both realized that it would be a shame not to carry on the business in some way that her family in Wenzhou had built. We sat down together, or rather Zoomed, and discussed our ideas with the Gales. Thus, the establishment of Burton & Gale, a small online boutique offering small selections of sustainable, soft, premium 100% cashmere and wool products, along with 100% handmade cashmere knitwear made by our family's own hands.