2024 Event Schedule
Like a Fine Wine… Getting Better Every day
Sunset WINE SAIL: Celebrating Women Winemakers @ Wine Wise
DETAILS: Join presenting sponsor Wine Wise for a gorgeous scenic wine sail on board the 74-foot Sailboat, Frances as you explore five delicious quality wines from some incredible women winemakers with Sommelier Erica Archer. You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through Maine’s beautiful Casco Bay with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways.
Find out what makes each wine region unique in the styles of wine they produce
Discuss the major grape varieties and styles worthy of your attention
Learn what to expect from certain terms on a wine label when selecting your next bottle of wine
Learn the basics of tasting or take your wine knowledge to the next level
Enjoy your delicious box of cheeses, cured meats, fruit, nuts, crackers, etc. Due to the nature of our events, we cannot accommodate food allergies, commissions, accommodations, or substitutions during these sails. You may bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations.
PRICE: $150 per person
LINK: Wine Wise
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
(SOLD OUT) WINE SAIL: Fresh Maine Oysters @ Wine Wise
DETAILS: Join presenting sponsor Wine Wise for a gorgeous scenic wine sail on board the 74-foot Sailboat, Frances as you explore five delicious quality wines each paired with fresh Maine oysters shucked right on board, with Sommelier Erica Archer. You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through Maine’s beautiful Casco Bay with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways.
Find out what makes a wine a good match for fresh oysters
Discuss the major grape varieties and styles worthy of your attention
Learn what to expect from certain terms on a wine label when selecting your next bottle of wine
Learn the basics of tasting or take your wine knowledge to the next level
We are serving five wines and plenty of oysters. Due to the nature of our events, we are not able to accommodate food allergies, accommodations, or substitutions during these sails. But you may bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations of any kind.
PRICE: $175 per person
LINK: Wine Wise
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
(5 Seats REMAINING) WINE & FOOD SAIL: “SHEF” Mimi Weissenborn of Sur Lie @ Wine Wise
DETAILS: If these are not the best things going on in Portland this Summer, we don’t know what is. Sommelier Erica Archer has invited some of her favorite chefs in Portland to join her on a select few of our season-long wine sails to pair five delicious courses with five delicious wines. We’re so excited for “Shef” Mimi Weissenborn of Sur Lie in Portland, Gather in Yarmouth, and the soon-to-be-open Catface Cafe in Biddeford, to join us again this year during Portland Wine Week!
You’ll sail and sip five incredibly delicious wines that you'll love to have in your repertoire ... each paired with food thoughtfully prepared for you by Shef Weissenborn… all while indulging in a gorgeous scenic sail on board the 74-foot immaculate sailboat, Frances, built by her Captain and crew on Portland's waterfront. You're in for an incredible wine and food experience as you sail through Maine’s beautiful Casco Bay with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways ... all with delicious wines and paired food. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, and pair wines and describe what you smell and taste. And no doubt you will enjoy every bite and sip.
MENU: TBD
The menu will be available close to the date of the event as the chef takes inspiration from only the freshest local ingredients. Due to the nature of this event, we regret that we cannot accommodate food substitutions.
PRICE: $185
LINK: Wine Wise
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
Mimi Weissenborn | Creative Director & Executive Shef of Sur Lie and Gather Restaurant
A native Maryland crab, Shef studied at L’Academie de Cuisine and promptly decided to pursue a culinary career in New York City as a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. As the Creative Director, and later Executive Chef, at Vinateria she received a Michelin recommendation, participated in multiple chef collaborations such as New York City Food & Wine Festival, Harlem Eat Up and a gamut of James Beard Foundation dinners headlining and selling out one of her very own.
SPECIAL EVENT: WEARABLE FLORAL ARRANGEMENT AND SIPS @ VIA VECCHIA
DETAILS: Adorn yourself in flowers during this unique event at ViA VECCHiA. Hosted by Sommelier Susannah Gleason, you’ll sip on four wines while florist Morgan Wagner-Holz of Elder Farm and Forage guides the creation of a gorgeous floral headband, wrist cuff, or pocket square. Don’t wait around — tickets won’t last long. Choose whether to make a gorgeous floral headband, wrist cuff, or pocket square during booking.
ViA VECCHiA is an Italian-inspired small plates restaurant located in the heart of the Old Port in an iconic brick and ivy-covered building overlooking cobblestone streets. A destination for wine and dining, VV boasts a large wrap-around 20-seat bar surrounded by luxurious velvet booths in a warm, energetic atmosphere.
MENU: Four vibrant wines that will pair to enhance the bouquet-making experience
PRICE: $85 per person all inclusive (30 tickets available)
LINKS: ViA VECCHiA, Elder Farm and Forage
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
Susannah Gleason, Via Vecchia’s wine director, has experience in all facets of the restaurant and retail wine industries. Her focus at Via Vecchia is on helping staff and guests navigate the occasionally complex world of classic Italian wines. Susannah holds an advanced certificate in wine from WSET, and enjoys furthering her knowledge through practical experience as well as personal exploration.
We are so excited to have Morgan Wagner-Holz of Elder Farm and Forage join us for this special event. Her focus is on creating gorgeous, seasonal bouquets from blooms she cultivates herself on her farm in Windham.
(SOLD OUT) SUNSET Wine Sail: Sicily @ Wine Wise
DETAILS: Join presenting sponsor Wine Wise for a gorgeous scenic wine sail on board the 74-foot sailboat, Frances, built by her Captains and crew on Portland's waterfront, with new seats added for everyone to be seated comfortably. You'll explore a selection of five delicious quality wines from the renowned wine regions of Sicily that you'll love to have in your repertoire.
Taste and learn about a series of five delicious wines from Sicily from the distinctive, volcanic, and high elevations of Mount Etna, to Cerasuolo Vittoria, and nearby Islands and inlets, etc.
Find out what makes Sicily’s regions and sub-regions unique in their styles of wine.
Discuss the major Sicilian grape varieties and styles worthy of your attention.
Learn what to expect from certain terms on a wine label when selecting wine.
Learn the basics of tasting or take your wine knowledge to the next level.
Enjoy your delicious box of cheeses, cured meats, fruit, nuts, crackers, etc. Due to the nature of our events, we cannot accommodate food allergies, commissions, accommodations, or substitutions during these sails. You may bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations.
COST: $150 per person
LINK: Wine Wise
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
(Sold out) WINE SAIL: South Africa @ Wine Wise
DETAILS: Join Sommelier Erica Archer, CWP, WSET Advanced, in beautiful Portland, Maine, for a gorgeous scenic wine sail on board the 74-foot sailboat, Frances, built by her Captains and crew on Portland's waterfront, with new seats added for everyone to be seated comfortably. You'll explore a selection of delicious quality wines from the diverse wine regions of South Africa that you'll love to have in your repertoire.
Taste and learn about some delicious wines from the renowned and diverse sub-regions of South Africa with all the varying climates, elevations, terrain, classic and emerging wines, and styles.
Find out what makes each wine region unique in the styles of wine they produce
Discuss the major grape varieties and styles worthy of your attention
Learn what to expect from certain terms on a wine label when selecting your next bottle of wine
Learn the basics of tasting or take your wine knowledge to the next level
Enjoy your delicious box of cheeses, cured meats, fruit, nuts, crackers, etc. Due to the nature of our events, we cannot accommodate food allergies, commissions, accommodations, or substitutions during these sails. You may bring your snack if you have food allergies or hesitations.
PRICE: $150 per person
LINK: Wine Wise
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
SPECIAL EVENT: WINE & OYSTER SOCIAL WITH GLIDDEN POINT @ TWELVE
DETAILS: Twelve restaurant is partnering with Glidden Point Oysters on their picturesque patio overlooking the Maine coast. Sommelier Jenn Forge, has handpicked four outstanding wines perfectly suited to complement Glidden Point’s oysters from the Damariscotta River, some of the best oysters Maine has to offer.
Enjoy these wines by the glass or indulge in a tasting flight. No reservations or tickets needed, so stop by anytime from 3 pm until close for an unbeatable view, vibrant atmosphere, delicious oysters, and refreshingly crushable wines. The ultimate start to patio season!
Outdoors on the patio (weather permitting).
WINES: 2.5 oz half-glasses / 5 oz full glasses. Also enjoy a flight of 4 half-glasses.
NV Andre Clouet ‘Silver’ Brut Nature Champagne $14/28
2023 Ameztoi, Hondarrabi Zuri, Txakoli, Spain $8/16
2021 William Fevre “Champs Royaux” Chablis, Burgundy, France $10/20
2022 Pepiere “Clos des Briords” Muscadet , Sevre et Maine, Loire Valley, France $8/16 **Flight (2.5 oz each) $40
***Wines subject to change based on availability
OYSTERS: $2 each, available a la carte. You may enjoy as many as you would like.
Glidden Point Oyster Farm, established in 1987, has cultivated a deep love for the Damariscotta River, nurturing oysters within its pristine waters. Years of practice revealed a winning combination for growing GPO oysters: the perfect synergy of location and dedicated husbandry. Tiny oyster seeds, nestled in surface cages, begin their slow growth in the river's cold embrace. Once mature, we transplant them to the riverbed where, nestled amongst the pebbles and sand, they develop their signature deep cup over a few years. Our exceptional Maine oysters are hand-harvested by divers, minimizing disruption to the delicate ecosystem. This dedication, from seed to harvest, has earned Glidden Point national recognition for producing world-class oysters. Paired with a fine wine and the touch of a talented chef, these briny gems can be transformed into a sensational culinary experience.
RESERVE: No reservations or tickets required. Though there may be a wai to get in if seats are full.
LINKS: Twelve, Glidden Point Oysters
PHONE: (207) 910-7400
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
Sommelier Jenn Forge | Born and raised in Portland, Maine, Jenn is a veteran of the city’s restaurant scene having experience in every front of the house position over the last 17 years. A local favorite bartender, Jenn’s love of wine began while working at Munjoy Hill’s highly regarded Lolita and her last position at Via Vecchia before joining the opening team at Twelve. She is a certified sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, has a degree in hospitality management, and has recently been accepted to participate in the Advanced Sommelier Course through the Court. She has also completed the WSET Advanced Level 3 course and feels that exploring both paths have been beneficial to her wine education. “First and foremost, I’m grateful to work in a restaurant where I’m surrounded by so many talented people—it’s nothing short of inspiring. I want the wine list at Twelve to be both approachable and impressive to cater to Portland’s diverse demographic. I am committed to serving every guest a delicious bottle (or glass) of wine, regardless of price point, with un-paralleled hospitality.”
WINE SAIL: France @ Wine Wise
DETAILS: Join Sommelier Erica Archer, CWP, WSET Advanced, in beautiful Portland, Maine, for a gorgeous scenic wine sail on board the 74-foot sailboat, Frances, built by her Captains and crew on Portland's waterfront, with new seats added for everyone to be seated comfortably. You'll explore a selection of delicious quality wines from the diverse wine regions of France that you'll love to have in your repertoire.
Taste and learn about some delicious wines from the renowned and diverse sub-regions of France with all the varying climates, elevations, terrain, classic and emerging wines, and styles.
Find out what makes each wine region unique in the styles of wine they produce
Discuss the major grape varieties and styles worthy of your attention
Learn what to expect from certain terms on a wine label when selecting your next bottle of wine
Learn the basics of tasting or take your wine knowledge to the next level
Enjoy your delicious box of cheeses, cured meats, fruit, nuts, crackers, etc. Due to the nature of our events, we cannot accommodate food allergies, commissions, accommodations, or substitutions during these sails. You may bring your snack if you have food allergies or hesitations.
PRICE: $150 per person
LINK: Wine Wise
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
(SOLD OUT) SPECIAL EVENT: FLORAL ARRANGEMENT AND SIPS @ VIA VECCHIA
This event is currently sold out. Checkout Wearable Floral Arrangements and Sips @ ViA VECCHiA (6/16)!
DETAILS: Let creativity bloom this Portland Wine Week! Craft your own gorgeous seasonal bouquet, guided by florist Morgan Wagner-Holz of Elder Farm and Forage, while Sommelier Susannah Gleason leads a tasting of four deliciously paired wines in the beautiful surrounds of ViA VECCHiA. Get ready to show off your unique floral design and insider wine knowledge! Don’t wait around — tickets won’t last long.
ViA VECCHiA is an Italian-inspired small plates restaurant located in the heart of the Old Port in an iconic brick and ivy-covered building overlooking cobblestone streets. A destination for wine and dining, VV boasts a large wrap-around 20-seat bar surrounded by luxurious velvet booths in a warm, energetic atmosphere.
MENU: Four vibrant wines that will pair to enhance the bouquet-making experience
PRICE: $85 per person all inclusive (30 tickets available)
LINKS: ViA VECCHiA, Elder Farm and Forage
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
Susannah Gleason, Via Vecchia’s wine director, has experience in all facets of the restaurant and retail wine industries. Her focus at Via Vecchia is on helping staff and guests navigate the occasionally complex world of classic Italian wines. Susannah holds an advanced certificate in wine from WSET, and enjoys furthering her knowledge through practical experience as well as personal exploration.
We are so excited to have Morgan Wagner-Holz of Elder Farm and Forage join us for this special event. Her focus is on creating gorgeous, seasonal bouquets from blooms she cultivates herself on her farm in Windham.
(SOLD OUT) WINE DINNER: 7-Course LOPEZ DE HEREDIA LIBRARY WINES @ CHAVAL
DETAILS: Get ready to be dazzled during this exclusive wine dinner featuring the Rioja wines of Lopez de Heredia, paired with delicious 7 courses from acclaimed culinary duo, Chef Damian Sansonetti and Chef Ilma Lopez of Chaval. Lopez de Heredia is recognized as one of the all-time greatest Rioja producers, a legendary winemaking family that has been making wine the same way since it began in 1877, now in the hands of 4th generation winemaker Mercedes Lopez de Heredia. Not only will you have the opportunity to taste a portfolio of these incredible wines (which also happen to be one of the Chefs’ favorites), you’ll savor them with delicious dishes inspired by Spanish flavors and flair, featuring regional and local ingredients, with an exquisite touch. Seating is limited to only 10 people seated in their intimate private dining room.
FEATURED WINES:
2011 R. Lopez De Heredia, Viña Gravonia, Rioja Crianza Blanco, Spain
2010 R. Lopez De Heredia, Viña Tondonia, Rioja Reserva Blanco, Spain
2012 R. Lopez De Heredia, Viña Bosconia, Rioja Reserva, Spain
2007 R. Lopez De Heredia, Viña Tondonia, Rioja Reserva, Spain
2006 R. Lopez De Heredia, Viña Tondonia, Rioja Reserva, Spain
2005 R. Lopez De Heredia, Viña Tondonia, Rioja Reserva, Spain
2001 R. Lopez De Heredia, Viña Tondonia, Rioja Reserva, Spain
RESERVE: Via email reservations@chavalmaine.com
PRICE: $199 plus tax and gratuity
LINKS: Chaval, Ugly Duckling
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
BIOS:
Before Chef Damian Sansonetti was the acclaimed chef de cuisine at the uber-French Bar Boulud in New York, co-owner Damian Sansonetti grew up savoring his mother's and grandmother's cooking from handmade pasta to grilled fish to learning how to cure meat and make sausages with his grandfather. A career in food was practically his birthright. After graduating from the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute, Sansonetti worked at Nantucket’s Brant Point Grill and Pittsburgh’s Steelhead Grill, moving to New York to open Heartbeat in the W Hotel. Sansonetti met Daniel Boulud while working at Shallots in Midtown and eventually took a position at Boulud’s DB Bistro Moderne. Sansonetti was a 2022 finalist for the James Beard Award, Best Chef Northeast.
Chef Ilma Lopez has worked in some of the most demanding and rewarding kitchens in the industry, such as DB Bistro, Corton, Tailor, El Bulli, Café Boulud, and Le Bernardin. When she left New York City to the quieter reaches of Maine, Lopez found a new terrain she couldn’t resist. Arriving with a mastery of colors, flavors, textures, and spices—and a seasoned ability to work under pressure—Lopez makes classic dishes her own, with attention to micro-detail and thoughtful twists. For her work, Lopez earned a 2014 StarChefs Coastal New England Rising Star Pastry Chef Award, Has been a multiple-time James Beard top-Chef finalist, and you may have seen her name in the September issue of Bon Appetit Magazine highlighting her incredible talents when naming Portland, Maine as their pick for Restaurant City of The Year. You can find her daily at their new bakeshop and luncheonette The Ugly Duckling.
(SOLD OUT) SUNSET WINE SAIL: Spain @ Wine Wise
DETAILS: Join presenting sponsor Wine Wise for a gorgeous scenic wine sail on board the 74-foot sailboat, Frances, built by her Captains and crew on Portland's waterfront, with new seats added for everyone to be seated comfortably. You'll explore a selection of delicious quality wines from the diverse wine regions of Spain that you'll love to have in your repertoire.
Taste and learn about some delicious wines from the renowned and diverse sub-regions of Spain with all of its varying climates, elevations, terrain, classic and emerging wines, and styles.
Find out what makes each Spanish wine region unique in the styles of wine they produce
Discuss the major and emerging Spanish grape varieties and styles worthy of your attention
Learn what to expect from certain terms on a wine label when selecting your next bottle of wine
Learn the basics of tasting or take your wine knowledge to the next level
Enjoy your delicious box of cheeses, cured meats, fruit, nuts, crackers, etc. Due to the nature of our events, we cannot accommodate food allergies, commissions, accommodations, or substitutions during these sails. You may bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations.
PRICE: $150 per person
LINK: Wine Wise
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
Special Event: Brut Nature Release Party @ Cellardoor Winery Tasting Room
DETAILS: Be among the first to taste the 2021 vintage of Brut Nature Rosé, an exclusive estate-grown sparkling wine made in Lincolnville, Maine. To celebrate the release, Cellardoor Winery is hosting a party at its gorgeous downtown Portland tasting room. Enjoy a complimentary pour of the delightfully dry sparkling rosé alongside delicious hors d’oeuvres as you mingle with fellow wine enthusiasts. Curious about cold climate viticulture? Winemakers Aaron and CC Peet will be in attendance ready to answer your questions.
Cellardoor Winery's facility is located in Lincolnville, Maine, and uses fruit from their Estate Vineyard and premier appellations in Washington, California, and New York states.
WINE: The 2021 Brut Nature Rose is a co-ferment of Lincolnville estate-grown L’Acadie blanc, Frontenac blanc, and Marquette. Following primary fermentation, the wine was aged in stainless steel tanks for 8 months prior to bottling the base wine with yeast and sugar for a Traditional Method bottle fermentation. Following completion of bottle fermentation, the wine was aged on the lees for an additional 20 months before disgorging the yeast and corking. Cellardoor finished the wine with zero sugar for a delicious, dry brut nature sparkling rose.
PRICE: Admission is free and includes one complimentary glass of Brut Nature Rose per guest. Additional wine pours are $12 per glass (excluding gratuity).
LINK: Cellardoor Winery
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
(SOLD OUT) WINE SAIL: Amber, Orange, + Rosé @ WINE WISE
DETAILS: Join presenting sponsor Wine Wise for a gorgeous scenic wine sail on board the 74-foot Sailboat, Frances as you explore five delicious quality Orange & Rosé wines with Sommelier Erica Archer. You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through Maine’s beautiful Casco Bay with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways.
Taste and learn about a series of five delicious orange and rosé wines from around the world that you’ll love
Find out where the color of orange and rosé wine comes from
Discuss the major grape varieties and styles worthy of your attention.
Learn what to expect from certain terms on a wine label when selecting your next bottle of wine
Learn the basics of tasting or take your wine knowledge to the next level
Enjoy your delicious box of cheeses, cured meats, fruit, nuts, crackers, etc. Due to the nature of our events, we cannot accommodate food allergies, commissions, accommodations, or substitutions during these sails. You may bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations.
PRICE: $150 per person
LINK: Wine Wise
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
(SOLD OUT) WINE HAPPY HOUR: Fizz Friday: Sip, Savor, and Sparkle @ Angoor Wine Bar
DETAILS: Add some sparkle to your Friday at one of Portland’s newest wine bars during Portland Wine Week! Local wine aficionado Laura Zimmerman of Crush will be in attendance to guide you through flights of delightful sparkling wine, from Prosecco to Cava to Champagne, while you sample miniature gourmet cheese and charcuterie boards from The Cheese Shop on the outdoor patio (weather permitting).
This event is limited to 30 people. A $10 gift card will her offered per person to be used that day or a future visit at Angoor!
Angoor, meaning “grape” in Hindi, is a new “self-pour” wine bar in Portland, where guests can explore wine regions of the world through two, four, and six-ounce servings from a selection of 32–48 rotating wines.
PRICE: $50 per person
LINKS: Angoor Wine Bar
PHONE: For questions, please call: 978-509-4104
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
Laura Zimmerman | Originally hailing from Philadelphia, Laura Zimmerman has been living and working in Maine for twenty-two years. A veteran of the hospitality industry, Laura has been a sales representative with Crush Distributors since its inception in 2009, helping bring the company into the forefront of the New England distributor market. Her experiences meeting producers and their families, learning about different winemaking traditions across the globe, and all the unforgettable moments she's collected over the years remind her every day that it's about more than what's in the bottle.
(7 Spaces) SUNSET WINE SAIL: Greece @ Wine Wise
DETAILS: Join presenting sponsor Wine Wise for a gorgeous scenic wine sail on board the 74-foot sailboat, Frances, built by her Captains and crew on Portland's waterfront, with new seats added for everyone to be seated comfortably. You'll explore a selection of delicious quality wines from the renowned wine regions of Greece that you'll love to have in your repertoire.
Taste and learn about five delicious wines from Greece’s mainland, peninsula, and islands.
Find out what makes Greece’s regions and sub-regions unique in their styles of wine.
Discuss the major grape varieties and styles worthy of your attention.
Learn what to expect from certain terms on a wine label when selecting wine.
Learn the basics of tasting or take your wine knowledge to the next level.
Enjoy your delicious box of cheeses, cured meats, fruit, nuts, crackers, etc. Due to the nature of our events, we cannot accommodate food allergies, commissions, accommodations, or substitutions during these sails. You may bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations.
PRICE: $150 per person
LINK: Wine Wise
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
SPECIAL EVENT: Classics Redefined x PortoVino Glass Pour Takeover @ Leeward
DETAILS: Make your reservations for a magnificent night of incredible Italian food, delicious wines, and wonderful people. Tess Drumheller of PortoVino, Dyane Lacerda of Wicked, and Paige Buehrer, Wine Director at Leeward, are pouring wines redefining classic Italian wine regions, available by the glass or half glass. Enjoy 2024 James Beard Award-Nominated, Best Chef Northeast, Jake Steven's incredible cuisine along side these wines hand-selected to elevate your dining experience (who knew it could get even better!)
WINE:
2019 i Custodi 'Imbris' Etna Bianco Superiore, Contrada Caselle, Sicily, Italy, Carricante
2022 Società Agricola il Sasso Valpolicella Classico DOC, Veneto, Italy, Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella
2021 Bakkanali Toscana Rosso IGT, Tuscany, Italy, Sangiovese
and/or other surprises
PRICE: price varies per half glasses, glasses, and bottles
LINK: Leeward
PHONE: 207-808-8623
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
Sommelier Paige Buehrer | Paige is the extremely talented wine director and general manager at Leeward! Thanks to Paige, Leeward will be pouring some truly exciting wines during their Portland Wine Week event, you don’t want to miss it!
Dyane Lacerda, Wicked Wines | Wicked Wines is a mid-coast based distributor of responsibly farmed wines from independent producers. Dyane has been working for this company as a sales representative for five years. Being in the wine business has inspired her to learn about geography, geology, agriculture, history, and cuisine. She loves the experience of the perfect wine and food pairing and sharing that knowledge for others to enjoy.
Chef/Owner Jake Stevens is nominated for the 2024 Best Chef Northeast by the James Beard foundation. In 2022 Leeward restaurant snagged their nomination for Best New Restaurant, and the again that year as one of America’s Best new restaurants by the New York Times. And many many more very deserved accolades. Make your reservations today!
Tess Drumheller, PortoVino | A New Yorker with New England roots, started working with wine importers 14 years ago, focusing on traditional, farming-forward, low-intervention wine curation. Tess became PortoVino's Northeast territory manager in 2020 after several years dedicated to growing their distribution and market share in NYC.
For nearly 2 decades, PortoVino [@portovino_imports] has been traveling Italy's backroads to create a portfolio of compelling wines that both excite and express unique areas and growers. In 2020, with the same care and attention to detail, a small German and Austrian portfolio was added; in 2023 came the launch of a French portfolio. PortoVino represents iconic traditional growers and the edgy outliers. All are family wineries that don't use synthetic chemicals in the vineyards and follow a minimal intervention approach in the cellar.
WEEKLONG: THE FUTURE (OF WINE) IS FEMALE @ FRIENDS & FAMILY
DETAILS: Join Friends & Family Thursday - Sunday* for a celebration of female and nonbinary winemakers! Each day will feature a special bottle from some of their favorite producers, each showcasing a different region, growing style, or winemaker journey. This is your chance to savor some truly rare and delicious selections, all available by the glass and by the bottle. All of the wines will also be clearly marked and available for purchase so that you can take your favorite bottles home with you. *Note Friends & Family is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Sommelier Cecily Upton will be one of the fabulous sommeliers participating in the Grand Opening Women in Wine Dinner: Who Paired it Better? Sponsored by Bangor Savings @ Falmouth Country Club (6/10).
This is an un-ticketed event. Reservations not required; walk-ins welcome.
PRICE: $15/glass, bottle prices vary
PHONE: (207) 536-4022
LINKS: Friends & Family
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
(6 Spaces) Wine Sail: Pacific Northwest @ Wine Wise
DETAILS: Join presenting sponsor Wine Wise for a gorgeous scenic wine sail on board the 74-foot Sailboat, Frances as you explore five delicious quality wines from the Pacific Northwest with Sommelier Erica Archer. You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through Maine’s beautiful Casco Bay with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways.
Taste and learn about a series of five delicious wines of the Pacific Northwest that you’ll thoroughly enjoy and love having in your repertoire. We’ll be pouring two of our most favorite wines that we’ve discovered lately.
Discover classic and emerging wines, varieties, and styles found in these regions.
Discuss the major grape varieties and styles worthy of your attention
Learn what to expect from certain terms on a wine label when selecting wine.
Learn the basics of tasting or take your wine knowledge to the next level.
Enjoy our delicious selection of cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruit, crackers, etc… presented in your own individual box. We are not able to accommodate food allergies or substitutions during these sails. But you may bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations of any kind.
PRICE: $150 per person
LINK: Wine Wise
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
WEEKLONG: TASTE OF MAINE TERROIR @ CELLARDOOR WINERY Portland
DETAILS: Join Cellardoor Winery for "A Taste of Maine Terroir" in their Portland tasting room during Portland Wine Week. Sample the preset flight and experience Maine-grown and crafted wines. For nearly twenty years, the Cellardoor team, spearheaded by Winemakers Aaron and CC Peet, has pioneered the cultivation of cold-hardy grape varieties for Maine's distinctive maritime climate. The challenge of growing grapes in Maine is also what makes Cellardoor's vineyard unique. They believe the spirit of meeting those challenges, and the unique environment and climate of Maine, is present in every sip.
Cellardoor Winery's winemaking facility and vineyard is located in Lincolnville, Maine. Each wine is made using fruit from their Estate Vineyard and from premier appellations in Washington, California, and New York states. From the 5.5 acre estate vineyard, Cellardoor grows Marquette, Frontenac blanc, and Frontenac gris grapes, developed by the University of Minnesota viticulture programs in the 1980s and 1990s; as well as L'Acadie blanc grapes, developed in Ontario, Canada in the 1950s.
This is an un-ticketed event! Reservations not required; walk-ins welcome.
HOURS:
Thursday 3:00 - 7:00 PM
Friday 12:00 - 7:00 PM
Saturday 12:00 - 7:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 - 5:00 PM
PRICE: $20 tasting flight / $12 glasses of wine. Tax and gratuity not included.
LINK: Cellardoor Winery
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
(2 SPACES) WINE LUNCH: OCCHIPINTI @ CENTRAL PROVISIONS
Details: Join the incredible team at Central Provisions for a highly exclusive (only 20 seats!), four-course wine luncheon featuring the wines of Arianna Occhipinti, each paired with delicious food from acclaimed Chef Chris Gould and his culinary team. Winemaker Arianna Occhipinti’s name graces just about every women winemaker list in the world. She began her foray into wine at the age of 16 with an introduction by her uncle Giusto Occhipinti, whose COS wines are undisputedly amongst the best of Sicily. Over the years she has climbed to stratospheric fame. Her wines are made with a focus on a quality expression of the terroir of each vineyard made in small lots, making them difficult to come by but highly sought after. Wine Director Victoria Barthelmes will guide you through each incredible wine pour.
WINES:
2021 Occhipinti, SP68 Bianco, Terre Siciliane (60% Zibibbo,40% Albanello)
From certified organic vines, averaging more than 20 years old and planted on chalky, sandy soils. The bunches are harvested by hand, destemmed, and co-fermented spontaneously with native yeasts in concrete tanks. Maceration lasts approximately two weeks. The wine is aged in concrete tanks for six months and bottled unfiltered.2020 Occhipinti, Vino di Contrada BB Bombolieri, Terre Siciliane (100% Frappato)
This wine shows a slightly more saturated hue with dark fruit flavors of black cherry and fresh plum. I like the impeccable balance of the BB (from the Contrada Bombolieri with sandy soils and stones), which is more accessible and primary next to the Contrada PT and without the earthy overtones you get in the Contrada FL. Sulfur use is minimal.2020 Occhipinti, Vino di Contrada PT Pettineo, Terre Siciliane (100% Frappato)
A few miles away from Bombolieri and Fossa di Lupo, the 0.9-hectare “Pettineo” plot features the oldest Frappato vines (60 years) in Vittoria. They grow on 25 inches of fine orange sand over tufa (a porous limestone) and are a mix of alberello and guyot training. This site is the first of the three to be harvested. Arianna finds a forward fruitiness and fine, smooth tannins in this wine, loaded with flavors of sweet and sour cherries, orange peel, ash, and tobacco. With regards to Arianna’s other two single-vineyard Frappatos, PT is the most juicy, bright, and fruit-driven.2020 Occhipinti, Siccagno, Sicilia DOC (100% Nero d'Avola)
From multiple, certified organic parcels with vines averaging 35 years old, planted on red-sandy, limestone soils and trained in alberello and guyot. The bunches are hand-harvested and destemmed with the berries left whole. Fermentation is spontaneous with native yeasts in 20-hectoliter concrete tanks and with approximately 30 days of maceration and only gentle extraction. The wine is aged for 22 months in 25-hectoliter Slavonian oak barrels and is bottled without fining or filtration. Sulfur use is minimal. "Siccagno" is the local dialect for "totally dry.” Chili pepper, wet tobacco, and black cherries collide on the nose while the palate can be characterized by dark licorice, tart dark cherry, ashy charcoal, and fresh potting soil.
TICKETS: 20 tickets available
PRICE: $200 per person (plus tip and service)
LINK: Central Provisions
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
Chef Chris Gould began his culinary career at the age of 15 as a summer dishwasher and prep cook at the Bethel Inn in Bethel, Maine. He spent the following summer on the line working sauté and then enrolled in The Balsams’ accredited American Culinary Foundation apprenticeship program where he trained under several Certified Master Chefs and Bakers such as Chef Roland Henin, Chef Phil Learned, and Chef Steve James. After graduating from The Balsams in 2006, Chris landed in Boston working at Clio Restaurant as a Garde Manager cook; within a year he was chef tournant, also taking on the position of sashimi assistant at Uni. In 2009, he was the opening sous chef at Chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette's Coppa Enoteca. Later that year, Chef Oringer asked Chris to return to Uni as his chef de cuisine, where he spent the next three years. He met his future wife and business partner, Paige Gould at Clio and in October 2012, the two moved to Portland, Maine. Chris and Paige spent two years making Central Provisions a reality, and in February 2014, they opened the doors to national acclaim, including a nomination for Best New Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation. Three years later, they opened Tipo restaurant, specializing in Neapolitan pizzas, pasta, and small plates.
Sommelier Victoria Barthelmes curates the wine program at Central Provisions and Tipo Restaurant. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, she focused the beginning of her career in New York City at Lincoln Ristorante under Chef Richard Capizzi and Johnathan Beno. While at Lincoln, Victoria was an integral part of the team that also produced the pastry program offered at the Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center, and elaborate wedding cakes for the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Upon moving to Maine in 2015, she began purchasing wine as a General Manager for a cafe and market in Cape Elizabeth. When she joined the team at Tipo, she worked her way up to General Manager and eventually took over the wine director role for both of the Goulds’ restaurants. She earned her first-level degree with the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2023.
SUNSET WINE SAIL: Sparkling Wines @ Wine Wise
DETAILS: Join presenting sponsor Wine Wise for a gorgeous scenic wine sail on board the 74-foot Sailboat, Frances as you explore some delicious sparkling wines from around the world with Sommelier Erica Archer. You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through Maine’s beautiful Casco Bay with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways.
Taste and learn about a series of five delicious sparkling wines from around the world, including, of course, Champagne, France that you’ll love having in your repertoire.
Discover classic and emerging sparkling wine regions, styles, and producers that this exciting and growing category of sparkling wines has to offer.
Discuss the major styles of sparkling wines (e.g., pet-nat, Charmant, and Methode Champagnoise) worthy of your attention.
Learn what to expect from certain terms on a sparkling wine label when selecting your next glass or bottle.
Learn the basics of tasting or take your wine knowledge to the next level
Enjoy your delicious box of cheeses, cured meats, fruit, nuts, crackers, etc. Due to the nature of our events, we cannot accommodate food allergies, commissions, accommodations, or substitutions during these sails. You may bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations.
PRICE: $150 per person
LINK: Wine Wise
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
(2 seats remaining) WINE DINNER: 4-Course SAMSARA WINE DINNER with Joan Szkutak @ CHAVAL
DETAILS: Indulge in a fabulous French-inspired cuisine with a New England flair, paired fine with wines from SAMsARA–considered one of the top Syrah producers in California. Owner Joan Szkutak will present the wines and her share insights into her highly exclusive wines and sustainable winemaking process. As you sip and explore each small-batch wine, enjoy delicious dishes made from local ingredients prepared by Chaval’s acclaimed owners, Chefs Damian Sansonetti and Pastry Chef Ilma Lopez. Seats are extremely limited. Book your table before it’s too late!
PRICE: $129 plus tax and gratuity
LINKS: Chaval
RESERVE: Via email reservations@chavalmaine.com
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
BIOS:
Before Chef Damian Sansonetti was the acclaimed chef de cuisine at the uber-French Bar Boulud in New York, co-owner Damian Sansonetti grew up savoring his mother's and grandmother's cooking from handmade pasta to grilled fish to learning how to cure meat and make sausages with his grandfather. A career in food was practically his birthright. After graduating from the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute, Sansonetti worked at Nantucket’s Brant Point Grill and Pittsburgh’s Steelhead Grill, moving to New York to open Heartbeat in the W Hotel. Sansonetti met Daniel Boulud while working at Shallots in Midtown and eventually took a position at Boulud’s DB Bistro Moderne. Sansonetti was a 2022 finalist for the James Beard Award, Best Chef Northeast.
Chef Ilma Lopez has worked in some of the most demanding and rewarding kitchens in the industry, such as DB Bistro, Corton, Tailor, El Bulli, Café Boulud, and Le Bernardin. When she left New York City to the quieter reaches of Maine, Lopez found a new terrain she couldn’t resist. Arriving with a mastery of colors, flavors, textures, and spices—and a seasoned ability to work under pressure—Lopez makes classic dishes her own, with attention to micro-detail and thoughtful twists. For her work, Lopez earned a 2014 StarChefs Coastal New England Rising Star Pastry Chef Award, Has been a multiple-time James Beard top-Chef finalist, and you may have seen her name in the September issue of Bon Appetit Magazine highlighting her incredible talents when naming Portland, Maine as their pick for Restaurant City of The Year. You can find her daily at their new bakeshop and luncheonette The Ugly Duckling.
Joan Szkutak | Hailing from Maine, SAMsARA Wine Co. owner, began her career as engineer in the corporate world before she translated her talents into a boutique winery owner. Using low-intervention methods, SAMsARA produces limited releases of Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache and Chardonnay from carefully selected micro-sites around Santa Barbara.
(SOLD OUT) WINE DINNER: 5-COURSE CANTELE OF PUGLIA WITH FRED MULLINS @ ISA BISTRO
DETAILS: Get whisked away to southern Italy with Isa Bistro during a delicious five-course dinner highlighting the wines of Cantele. Chef Isaul Perez will create bistro-style fare to complement this beautiful lineup of wines that showcases the native grapes of Puglia, Italy. A James Beard 2023 Semi-Finalist, Isaul’s unique style combines his Mexican heritage with extensive experience cooking French and Italian cuisine. His wife and fellow co-owner, Sommelier Suzie Perez and Fred Mullins of Vias Imports will guide you through five delicious wines of Cantele.
WINES: Experience the Estate’s Verdeca, Chardonnay, Rosato, Negramaro, and Primitivo varieties.
MENU: Chef Perez will post the menu on their website one month prior to the event.
PRICE: $150 per person includes food and wine pairings (tax and gratuity not included).
LINK: Isa Bistro
RESERVE: Call 207-808-8533. Online reservations are available from 5/12 onward. Please have a credit card number ready to hold your reservation. A cancellation fee of $30 per person will be applied if canceling within 24 hours of the event.
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
Chef Isaul Perez & Sommelier Suzie Perez
Suzie has extensive industry experience in Maine, Washington DC., and New York City, both serving, bartending, and managing. She has extensive wine knowledge and continues to hone her baking skills. Her love of the business, and her husband, have brought her home to finally open the place they have talked about for years! Isaul has worked in New York City for years, cooking primarily French and Italian cuisine. His Mexican heritage combined with his years of experience gives the Isa menu a unique twist.
Fred Mullin
With over 25 years’ experience dedicated to the study of Italian wine, Fred Mullins is an engaging and knowledgeable speaker with great insight and perspective. "I’ve sat in quite a few seats in the business of wine from being a partner in a small artisan importer, a wine director for retail shops and restaurants, a portfolio manager, and now a sales manager for VIAS Imports. I’ve been lucky enough to work with and alongside some of the best and brightest in the world of wine. It's the passion for wine that drives me. The drive goes far beyond enjoying wine... it's really about being able to share my experiences and knowledge with others. My focus through the years has always been on devoting as much time and effort as I am able to the discipline that is wine. The culture of wine is an ever-shifting landscape that requires not only knowledge but the ability to relate your expertise while being objective and open-minded.”
Weeklong: Entree Special with Wine Pairing @ Knotted Apron
DETAILS: Chef Ryan Hickman will be preparing a Pan Roasted Duck Breast with Farro, Fava Beans and Rhubarb. Owner Kate Hickman will be pouring glasses of 2020 The Vice House Pinot Noir from Napa Valley, California and bottles of 2022 Clementine Carter Grenache from Sta. Rita Hills, California. Seating available both indoors & outdoors, weather permitting.
WINE DETAILS: The Vice Wine is a Napa Valley luxury wine brand made in small batches. Each batch is crafted from single grape varietals sourced from hand selected vineyards that best express the grape varietal and the region that it comes from. The Vice Wine is a result of passionate labor, sustainable farming, a long expertise of the wine industry and a current understanding of the consumer’s wine trend. The Vice Wine is about as personal of a brand as it gets. Everything is done entirely by the founders.
Rhône varietals grown in Santa Barbara Wine Country are the focus of Clementine Carter, particularly Grenache and my new love Mourvèdre. Grenache is a crazy challenging grape to farm. Big clusters, big berries, thick skins. Farming Grenache is all about nuance. Finding the right zone with the correct balance to elevate the sexy, elegant, finessed tingles beautiful wine can impart. I have had the privilege of working with almost every Grenache vineyard in Santa Barbara County searching for the ones that resonate with me and my goals - to deliver a pure wine experience with pure intention.
PRICES:
Duck Breast with Glass of The Vice Pinot Noir = $54 (tax and gratuity excluded)
Vice Pinot Noir Glass a la carte = $17.00 (tax and gratuity excluded)
Clementine Carter Grenache Bottle = $90.00 (tax and gratuity excluded)
LINK: Knotted Apron
PHONE: 207-805-1523
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
Chef/Owner Ryan Hickman | Like many aspiring chefs Ryan started his career as a young dishwasher before soon being summoned to the line. Ryan worked as a line cook at restaurants throughout New England before moving to Portland to train under Chef Larry Matthews Jr. of Back Bay Grill, eventually becoming the Sous Chef. Ryan learned the importance of scratch cooking and quality local ingredients, two pillars that became the backbone of his cooking style. In the years following Chef Ryan ventured to California to explore the growing farm to table movement, eventually settling in Lake Tahoe. Two years later Ryan found his way back east to Arrow’s restaurant in Ogunquit with Chef ’s Mark Gair and Clark Fraiser. In 2014 Chef Ryan helped open and helm the kitchen at Pine Point Grill in Scarborough, bringing seasonal menus and culinary expertise to an area not known for its dining. When the restaurant sold in 2019, Chef Ryan ventured out on his own.
In 2020 Chef Ryan opened the doors to The Knotted Apron with his loving fiancé and co-owner Kate Harvey. His passion for simple, well executed and seasonal food is fully expressed in his first role as Chef-Owner where he continues to make his dreams come true one plate at a time.
General Manager/Owner Kate Hickman | Kate Hickman is the Co-Owner & Manager of The Knotted Apron, and very begrudgingly allowed herself an ‘about me’. Kate attributes her love of restaurants to her Grammy Edna, a waitress at Boston’s famed Copley Plaza Hotel. Edna was one of the first women to work as part of the wait staff in the illustrious oval room, a position normally reserved for men, during WWII. Grammy Edna diligently taught Kate how to polish silverware, take orders and set the table. From a young age dinners at home was treated like an occasion, with Kate taking orders and even making drinks!
Kate officially entered the industry at 16, serving as a bus girl at The Rosa in Portsmouth, NH. By 18 Kate had started serving and bartending, the beginning of an extensive career that covered every role in the restaurant world that doesn’t involve cooking food. Kate moved to Portland in 2017 where she started a career with Prentice Hospitality working at Evo Old Port and the Chebeague Island Inn. With decades of industry experience under her belt, Kate made a lifelong dream of having her own restaurant come true.
WEEKLONG: 2020 Cantele Amativo @ ISA BISTRO
DETAILS: Take a journey to Puglia via Portland, Maine, with this delightful weeklong wine showcase featuring the 2020 Cantele Amativo, a unique Negroamaro and Primitivo blend. Enjoy this big, complex, balanced, and bold red with a delicious dish from Isa Bistro’s eclectic and seasonally inspired menu. Sommelier Suzie Perez recommends the Marinated Bistro Steak as the perfect pairing for an indulgent dinner — or savor the earthy, aromatic wine as an aperitif. The choice is yours!
HOURS: Isa Bistro is closed on Tuesdays.
PRICE: $19 a glass (plus tax and gratuity)
LINK: Isa Bistro
RESERVE: Call 207-808-8533. Online reservations will be available from 5/12 onward. Please have a credit card number ready to hold your reservation. A cancellation fee of $30 per person will be applied if canceling within 24 hours of the event.
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
Chef Isaul Perez & Sommelier Suzie Perez
Suzie has extensive industry experience in Maine, Washington DC., and New York City, both serving, bartending, and managing. She has extensive wine knowledge and continues to hone her baking skills. Her love of the business, and her husband, have brought her home to finally open the place they have talked about for years! Isaul has worked in New York City for years, cooking primarily French and Italian cuisine. His Mexican heritage combined with his years of experience gives the Isa menu a unique twist.
WEEKLONG: Glass Pours & Nightly Tapas Pairings @ Local 188
DETAILS: Local 188 will be celebrating their 25th year as a Portland institution! They’ll be offering 1/2 & full glass pours of hand-selected wines paired with the chef's choice nightly tapas special! Enjoy the eclectic, cozy atmosphere of Local 188 while you experience the delicious locally sourced menu paired perfectly with wines from the world.
WINES
Each $6.5 half-glass / $13 glass / $47 bottle + (tax and gratuity)
2022 Gramona, Gessami, Penedes, Spain (Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer)
2022 Domaine Maestracci, Corse Calvi Blanc "E Prove", Corsica, France (Vermentinu)
2021 Celler Cecilio, “Black Slate Gratallops” Priorat, Spain (Garnatxa Negra, Cariñena, Syrah)
2022 Vidigal, Vinho Verde, Portugal for $6 a glass… a fun summer wine special for the week!
LINK: Local 188
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
(SOLD OUT) WINE & FOOD SAIL: with Paolo Laboa of Solo Italiano @ Wine Wise
DETAILS: If these are not the best things going on in Portland this Summer, we don’t know what is. Sommelier Erica Archer has invited some of her favorite chefs in Portland to join her on a select few of our season-long wine sails to pair five delicious courses with five delicious wines. We’re so excited for Chef Paolo Laboa of Solo Italiano to join us to help us kick off our Portland Wine Week schedule!
You’ll sail and sip five incredibly delicious wines that you'll love to have in your repertoire each paired with food thoughtfully prepared for you by Chef Paolo Laboa… all while indulging in a gorgeous scenic sail on board the 74-foot immaculate sailboat, Frances, built by her Captain and crew on Portland's waterfront. You're in for an incredible wine and food experience as you sail through Maine’s beautiful Casco Bay with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways ... all with delicious wines and paired food. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, and pair wines and describe what you smell and taste. And no doubt you will enjoy every bite and sip.
MENU: TBD
The menu will be available close to the date of the event as the chef takes inspiration from only the freshest local ingredients. Due to the nature of this event, we regret that we cannot accommodate food substitutions.
PRICE: $185
LINK: Wine Wise
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
WEEKLONG: Rare NAMA SAKE x SMALL PLATE PAIRING @ IZAKAYA MINATO
DETAILS: Put this on your list of can’t-miss restaurants in Portland, Maine, and see what an excellent izakaya is all about: a place to sit back, sip on sake, and share delicious Japanese dishes with friends. Enjoy a 2-oz pour of rare nama (unpasteurized sake) perfectly paired with a rotating small plate all Portland Wine Week-long. Namazake is aromatic, fresh, and lively — a perfect match for the savory cuisine of Izakaya Minato.
Brewed using a similar method to beer, Sake is made of water, rice, yeast and koji, a special type of culture traditional to Japanese fermentation. Most sake is typically pasteurized twice, so this is an exclusive opportunity to experience a highly limited nama, which translates to “raw” or “fresh,” that is almost never available in Maine.
PRICE: $13 for a 2oz pour of sake and a small paired dish (tax and gratuity not included)
LINK: Izakaya Minato
RESERVE: Limited reservations for parties of 4 or more only. Reservations open on 5/11. Limited tables and bar seating available for walk-in guests. Please call (207) 613-9939 or email info@izakayaminato.com to request a reservation.
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
WEEKLONG: Premium Wine Pairings @ Twelve
DETAILS: Join Sommelier Jenn Forge and Chef Colin Wyatt for an unforgettable one-week-only offering in celebration of Portland Wine Week. Jenn will be pouring premium wine pairings, including some world-renowned wines, from tête de cuvée champagne to grand cru wines and everything in between, each selected to enhance and complement Chef Wyatt’s delicious four-course prix fixe menu made from local, seasonal ingredients. Twelve’s House and Elevated wine pairing offerings will also be available this week.
Walk-in availability is extremely limited and reservations for Twelve fill up fast. If you wish to participate in the Premium Wine Pairing event, an early reservation is strongly encouraged.
PRICE: $240 per person (does not include tax, gratuity, or supplemental items)
PHONE: 207-910-7400
LINK: Twelve
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
Sommelier Jenn Forge | Born and raised in Portland, Maine, Jenn is a veteran of the city’s restaurant scene, gaining experience in every front of the house position over the last 17 years. A local favorite bartender, Jenn’s love of wine began while working at Munjoy Hill’s highly regarded Lolita and at ViA VECCHiA, before she joined the opening team at Twelve in 2022. Jenn has a degree in hospitality management, and she is a certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, which recently accepted her application to participate in the Advanced Sommelier Course. She has also completed the WSET Advanced Level 3 course and feels that exploring both paths has been beneficial to her wine education. “First and foremost, I’m grateful to work in a restaurant where I’m surrounded by so many talented people — it’s nothing short of inspiring. I want the wine list at Twelve to be both approachable and impressive to cater to Portland’s diverse demographic. I am committed to serving every guest a delicious bottle (or glass) of wine, regardless of price point, with unparalleled hospitality."
Chef Colin Wyatt | After twelve years working in New York’s DANIEL and Eleven Madison Park, where he led the team awarded the accolade of “The World’s Best Restaurant” in 2017, Chef Wyatt recently returned to Maine to open the doors of Twelve. A veteran Portland chef, the natural beauty, vibrant culture, and passion of Maine’s growers and creatives ultimately called him back. “Maine has always been a place I wanted to return to. As beautiful as it is, I think it’s the people that attract everyone to the state. This is why I came back and why I wanted to start this restaurant. Twelve is a way for us to be a part of this community and hopefully, add our own voice to it.”
WINE DINNER: Fierce Wining, Dining & Drag Queens @ Sur Lie
DETAILS: Let Mimi Weissenborn taste you through female winemaker Brianne Day's eclectic collection of boutique wines made from fruit sourced exclusively from a small group of Oregon grape growers.
Day Wines are distributed exclusively by Crush Distributors here in Maine, which is also a female owned business. Laura from Crush wines will be personally presenting each wine to you.
All while you enjoy a performance by Chartreuse Money, voted Portland's Best Drag Personality!
If you've never attended a wine dinner at Sur Lie, you're in for a treat! Nominated as a semi-finalist for a James Beard award for Outstanding Hospitality in 2023, Sur Lie's family style dining creates a fun and unique dining experience. You'll taste your way through four courses each paired with its own unique wine. The food will be perfectly paired by executive chef Mimi Weissenborn, a Michelin Star recommended chef who boasts most of her experience in NYC.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the family style, sharing nature of our dinner we will not be able to accommodate late arrivals, allergies or dietary restrictions.
PRICE: $150 (Tax and gratuity not included)
LINK: Sur Lie
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsors Bangor Savings and Buoy Local.
Mimi Weissenborn | Creative Director & Executive Shef of Sur Lie and Gather Restaurant
A native Maryland crab, Shef studied at L’Academie de Cuisine and promptly decided to pursue a culinary career in New York City as a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. As the Creative Director, and later Executive Chef, at Vinateria she received a Michelin recommendation, participated in multiple chef collaborations such as New York City Food & Wine Festival, Harlem Eat Up and a gamut of James Beard Foundation dinners headlining and selling out one of her very own.
Krista Cole | Owner/Director of Operations & Marketing of Sur Lie in Portland & Gather Restaurant in Yarmouth, Maine.
Krista Cole is a two-time James Beard semi-finalist. She is a semi-finalist for Outstanding Restaurateur and Sur Lie is a semi-finalist for Outstanding Hospitality. Leadership is something she takes very seriously, and feels that her most important job is to create an environment of equity, transparency, integrity and respect. She seeks team members who share her passion for the craft of hospitality and who believe in the contributions they make to their community.