Most People Have No Idea One Of The Best Wineries In America Is In A Maine Farmhouse

Sure, you can hop on a flight and tour wine country in California. But, you'd spend a ton of money, increase your carbon footprint and be 3,200 miles away from your beloved state of Maine. If that's not bad enough, you'd be missing out on the small winery that Food & Wine magazine named to its list of best ciders in America. Delicious cider and sparkling wine with a beautiful Maine farmhouse... this place might just be heaven for wine lovers.

You'll find Oyster River Winegrowers in Warren, Maine. It's far enough out of the way to make it a hidden gem, but on-the-beaten-path enough to make it an easy enough day trip from Rockland.

Food & Wine called their Wildman Cider one of the best in America, claiming that it's "bursting with an unexpected mix of citrusy and spicy flavors."

You can't disagree with a source like Food & Wine, but what makes this place so special?

It could be the grapes! The fruit used in their Chaos sparkling wine are French-American hybrids and they're planted densely together.

Or, it could be that for the first seven seasons of operation they relied solely on horse power to cultivate the vineyards. That and their own hands, of course.

The farm uses no chemical pesticides or fertilizers, relying instead on plant-based teas and rock minerals to keep plants healthy.

The harvest is always done by hand and the operation here is a small one.

A walk around the farm and the farmhouse will reveal just how intentional the operation is.

In addition to creating some seriously fantastic wines and ciders, Oyster River Winegrowers is just a fun place to spend some time. They host pizza nights throughout the summer and have been known to throw a pretty sweet corned beef supper.

Tastings take place on the farm during the season which lasts between May and October.

You can also find their wines locally in Maine, throughout New England and in various places from California to DC.

But, being local means you have the added benefit of catching the Oyster River Farm Express, the farm's horse and wagon delivery service conducting door-to-door drop-offs for things like their locally-made wine, cheese, and bread and local vegetables, fruit, eggs, and meat.

There's a lot to love about this hidden gem in Maine. Get in touch with them directly to learn more and be sure to plan for a pizza night with them next summer!

Oyster River Winegrowers is located at 929 Oyster River Rd., Warren, Maine. You can find them throughout the United States in these stores. Or, you can join their wine club here. Learn more on their website or on Facebook. Owner Brian Smith also does consulting on all things vineyard. Get in touch with him if you have specific questions.

This isn't the only great winery in Maine. Check out this beauty in Lincolnville for one of the best-known wineries in the state.