We began growing wine grapes in 1997 in the old agricultural region of Falmouth, Maine called Hurricane Valley. (The valley was created by a strong hurricane in the 1600s that pushed up one of the feeder creeks to the Piscataqua River and roared down the valley, toppling oaks and maples and allowing the local settlers to create fields from forest without as much work.) Hurricane Valley today is home to a dairy farm, Wilshore Farm, a nursery and berry/vegetable farm, Winslow Farms, as well as Maine Coast Vineyards, created on the site of an old chicken farm.
Our family has worked hard for 11 years on our 14 acre property experimenting with grape varieties and wine-making techniques to bring great wine, that goes perfectly with our local foods, to market. Maine is not Tuscany, it is not Bordeaux or California. It is an environment where we live and enjoy the cold and wintery days as well as the joyous, warm, blue-sky days of summer. Where the explosion of color in autumn makes everything seem just right with the world.
The wines of Maine Coast Vineyards are in keeping with this beauty and greatness of our state. They are wines to accompany lobster bakes, and fresh goat cheese, haddock chowder and "pier fries." They are made for enjoyment with all the bounty of our state from grapes grown right here.
