Visitors to Bar Harbor will find themselves on the Downeast Maine Wine Trail, with a variety of day trips, tastings and winery tours within driving distance. According to the Visit Maine website, the state is "surprisingly fertile territory for growing grapes," although most wineries use apples, pears and berries to produce fruit wines. Tourists from out of state should be aware that shipping wine from Maine is restricted by law.
Bar Harbor Cellars
Bar Harbor Cellars offers "a full selection of dry European varietals and aromatic fruit wines" and promises a wine for every palate. Originally a micro-brewery, the winery uses recycled grain from its beermaking facility as compost for its vineyard. Bar Harbor Cellars offers complementary wine tastings daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guests can expect to taste a range of flavors, including Bluedonnay created from Maine blueberries, in a relaxed environment.
Bar Harbor Cellars
854 State Highway 3
Bar Harbor, Maine 04609
207-288-3907
barharborcellars.com
Shalom Orchard Organic Farm and Winery
A 35-minute drive north from Bar Harbor, Shalom Orchard offers fruit and honey wines crafted from its own produce. Both the farming and winemaking operations are certified organic. Visitors can take advantage of special events such as cider making, apple blossom season and cooking demonstrations featuring local produce. Shalom Orchard also advertises nearby lakes, hiking trails and mountains for the outdoor enthusiast.
Shalom Orchard Organic Farm and Winery
Route 200, 158 Eastbrook Road
Franklin, ME 04634
207-565-2312
shalomorchard.com
Bartlett Maine Estate Winery
Situated northeast of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, Bartlett Maine Estate Winery bills itself as "home to the best, most sophisticated fruit wines in the country for more than 20 years." A range of red, white, aperitif and dessert wines are available. The winery's tasting room is open from June to October, although tastings can be arranged in advance during the off-season.
Bartlett Maine Estate Winery
161 Chicken Mill Pond Rd
Gouldsboro, ME 04607-3213
(207) 546-2408
bartlettwinery.com
Farther afield
The remaining wineries on the Down East Maine Wine Trail are Winterport and Sow's Ear. Winterport promises "multiple award winning fruit wines, handcrafted in small batches." Sow's Ear advertises a range of dry fruit wines -- including rhubarb and choke cherry -- to pair with local cuisine.
Winterport Winery
279 South Main Street
Winterport, ME 04496
207-223-4500
winterportwinery.com
Sow's Ear Winery
303 Coastal Rd (Route 176)
Brooksville, ME 04617
207-326-4649
Tags: fruit wines, Harbor Cellars, Shalom Orchard, Bartlett Maine, Bartlett Maine Estate, Estate Winery