31 Aug 2022

Open Winery Day Offers A Taste of Maine

Real Maine / About Us / Blog / Agritourism / Open Winery Day Offers A Taste of Maine
By the Maine Wine Guild

Save the date to explore Maine’s wineries and cideries on Saturday, September 10, 2022.

Maine wineries will open their doors for public tours and a look at the craft that goes into creating “a true taste of Maine.”

From southern Maine through northern Maine, wineries will showcase their wines and ciders, offer tours and tastings, and special events. This special event is just days before the typical harvest time, and visitors will learn about all the steps to make Maine wine using traditional and not-so-traditional products.

Take the opportunity to taste Maine’s classic fruit wines that highlight Maine blueberries, apples, and strawberries. Or explore wines made from Maine-grown hybrid cold-hardy grape varieties such as Marquette and Frontenac. If you have not toasted with a local bubbly, try a sparkling blueberry bubbly or explore the different types of ciders from Maine apple and fruit orchards.

Maine wineries and cideries are not just tucked away in Maine’s rural landscapes but are in our city centers. You can find a winery not far from where you live – and the Maine Wine Trail is a perfect way to help you locate a winery. Use the interactive version of the map, or pick up a printed passport at a local winery.

Get to know more about the ingredients, people, and skills to produce a Maine craft beverage

A visit and tour is a great way to explore and learn about a variety of Maine farm products. Before you make the trip, you can hear Tony Lyons, of Willows Awake Winery, and Amanda O’Brien, of eighteentwentywines discuss winemaking on the Harvesting Maine Podcast, episode nine.

The Maine Wine Guild, Boothby Farm, and Sweetgrass Winery shared their behind-the-scenes photos of vineyards and winemaking:
Special equipment, from stills, to barrels, and other processing tools are important for the winemaking process – each step requires care and attention for a quality product.
Wild blueberries for blueberry crush. The auger spins within the container – another helpful piece of equipment during the busy winemaking process.
Adding labels to a wine bottle at Sweetgrass winery.
Ciders, mead, and other craft beverages are made at Maine wineries. You can find a variety of choices to enjoy an authentic taste of Maine.
Fruit wine made from berries and orchard fruit are local farm ingredients in Maine wines. Depending on the recipe, you may or may not recognize the characteristic flavors that one tastes in the fresh fruit.
A bin of cranberries in the winery. Harvest season is a busy time at wineries and they can use thousands of pounds of fruits, including grapes, berries, and other ingredients from their vineyards and Maine farms.
Itasca grape cluster on the vine. Vineyards in Maine grow grape varieties that can withstand the Northeast climate, and produce a quality finished product – Maine wine.
Rob Boothby, Boothby Farm in Livermore, with a Marquette grape cluster.


Tips for learning more about Maine wine:

  • The Maine Winery Guild invites you to travel along the Maine Wine Trail throughout the year. You can start your trip at www.mainewinetrail.com.
  • Use the Wine Trail map to search locations, such as vineyards and wineries, cideries and distilleries—and their websites!
  • Visit independent retailers, and select specialty markets, grocers, and shops.
  • Ask about subscriptions, gift packs, or clubs to sample or gift different options. Some winemakers can ship direct-to-consumers, and nationwide.

Featured Members

Categories: Agritourism, Events, Support Local

,