Recently, Maine has been in the spotlight for a competitive microbrew scene but not to be overshadowed, Maine also has a budding wine movement. With all of the fine dining and craft breweries that Maine has to offer, the winery tastings and tours have taken a back seat but not anymore! The wineries in Maine are deserving of our attention, and below, we discuss the top five wine tasting tours in the state.
Maine Mead Works
A great place to start your tour, Maine Mead Works in Portland, home of the honey wine. Established in 2007, this state of the art winery uses wildflower honey, water, and their own yeast strain to produce the highly distinctive HoneyMaker. This crisp, dry and refreshing meade is just one of the many reasons to visit. Maine Meade Works offers daily tasting flights and glass pours, along with complimentary tours of the Meadery.
Sweetgrass Farm Winery and Distillery
Next stop on the wine tour is Union’s Sweetgrass Farm Winery and Distillery. Their accommodating tasting room extends to a working winery and distillery where patrons can see wine and spirit production right from the tasting bar. Sweetgrass offers a tasting menu of over 15 wines and spirits, made from Maine grown fruit and grain. Nestled on a hilltop, the winery pairs breathtaking views with top tasting wines and spirits. Sweetgrass also offers a tasting room in the heart of the Old Port, which features a wide variety of wines and includes a souvenir wine glass for a small fee.
Winterport Winery
Located in the quaint, historic village, Winterport Winery offers a selection of award-winning fruit wines. This roomy winery also features an 1100 square foot tasting room, the perfect spot to sip and sample head winemaker Michael Anderson’s tasty concoctions. Winterport Winery dub their wines with playful names that will sure to be crowd pleasers. From Applause to Taxi Cab, the fun is never ending at Winterport Winery.
Bartlett Maine Estate Winery
Opened in 1983, this Ellsworth winery is one of the top producers of quality fruit wines in the country. Bartlett Maine Estate Winery creates wonderfully complex, open palate wines that will be sure to please any wine enthusiast. Bartlett’s red wines come from local hand-raked blueberries, and their whites are pressed from apples and pears. Not only is the wine wonderful, the tasting room is housed in an exquisite, hand wrought stone building that is a destination of its own. This homegrown, locally owned business incorporates new aging techniques and blends to produce fresh and exhilarating wines.
Cellardoor Winery
Located in Lincolnville, just five minutes down the road from Camden Harbor, Cellardoor Winery’s vineyard can be found on a 68 acre, 200-year-old farm. The property features a rustic 1790’s barn and old farmhouse, and a recently constructed modernly artistic winery that sits across the street from the vineyard. Cellardoor Winery makes their wine in small, handcrafted batches with grapes sourced from premier vineyards across the country. They offer a wide range of tastings, and also feature classes and other wine related events. Our tours last stop is Cellardoor at the Villa, a second tasting room and gift shop located in Rockport. Featuring historic Victorian architecture, The Villa offers a distinguished and relaxed environment to savor and enjoy some of the state’s best wine.
After a long day of exploring and tastings, conclude your tour with a relaxing overnight stay at the Camden Harbor Inn. Located just minutes away from The Villa, our historic and charming Inn is the perfect ending to a magical day. Unwind and recap your adventure over a five-star dinner at Natalie’s, the inn’s onsite award-winning restaurant.