Maine Wineries

With its harsh winter climate, one would not think of the State of Maine as a producer of wine. Because of this it should come as no surprise that there are no federally designated American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in Maine. But don’t tell that to the nearly 20 wineries that make Maine their home.

Maine’s wine industry was established in 1983 when Bartlett Winery opened its doors to make fruit wines. The realities of Maine’s harsh winter climate mean that fruit-based wine, hard cider, and mead are very common offerings from Maine wineries. Many are, however, making grape-based wines from hybrid grape varieties suitable to Maine’s climate. For some of Maine’s wineries the grapes are estate grown, while others source their grapes from elsewhere.