SPONSORED BY BANGOR SAVINGS BANK.
DETAILS: After decades of second-class citizenship status in the American wine world, Northeastern U.S. wines have recently attained a new level of recognition and admiration for their high quality, distinctive terroir expression, and character. Some masters have been at it for a long time, while other recent entrants have brought new energy and perspective. This panel will bring together exceptional winemakers from across that spectrum, to explore and exhibit the delicious and horizon-broadening variety that this vast region has to offer.
The excitement is emerging from a combination of factors: shifting conditions due to the climate crisis; a younger generation less beholden to artificial boundaries separating handmade wines, ciders, and beers; an overall growing appreciation for the lighter body, higher acidity, and sometimes unconventional flavor profiles at which the Northeast excels; and winemakers of all ages increasingly informed by global trends in minimal intervention and maximal expression of place.
We’ll discuss and taste scintillating, tradition-minded expressions of Vinifera grapes, as well as hybrid varieties and even fruit other than grapes.
COST: Only $15 per person
TICKETS: RESERVE
MARGOT MAZUR
Sommelier, Wine Educator, Consultant, and Author
MORTEN HALLGREN
Winemaker at Ravines Wine Cellars of Geneva, New York
ED LUTJENS
Production manager at Bluet of Scarborough, Maine
DAN ROCHE
Winemaker at R A S Wines of Portland, Maine
BRIAN SMITH
Winemaker at Oyster River Winegrowers of Warren, Maine
MODERATOR:
Margot Mazur, sommelier, wine educator, and wine consultant in the New England area. She writes a weekly beverage newsletter focusing on American wine history and present called The Fizz. She’ll get to the heart of what makes wines from Maine, New York, Vermont, and more so irresistible and so important. On any given day, she pets 2-4 dogs.
PANELISTS:
Morten Hallgren, winemaker at Ravines Wine Cellars of Geneva, New York
Morten, a native of Copenhagen, Denmark, grew up on a 250-acre estate in Côtes de Provence. After working on a Ph.D. in Theoretical Astrophysics in the U.S., he returned to France in 1993 where he completed graduate studies in viticulture and enology. After internships and winemaking positions in Bordeaux, Texas and North Carolina, he worked as chief winemaker for Finger Lakes pioneer Dr. Konstantin Frank before founding Ravines Wine Cellars, the first Finger Lakes winery to focus on traditional dry wines, in 2002 with his wife, Lisa. Ravines currently produces approximately 25,000 cases annually, wines that consistently gain regional, national and international accolades.
Ed Lutjens, production manager at Bluet of Scarborough, Maine
After working as a cooper for many years, Ed Lutjens formally joined Bluet in 2018 and now works at the winery and in the blueberry barrens as Bluet’s production lead.
Dan Roche, winemaker at R A S Wines of Portland, Maine
After many years buying and selling wines for a small grocery chain, Dan took the leap into winemaking. Focusing on the great Maine wild blueberry, Dan is attempting to make tasty and true wines that express the beautiful fruit and land they come from.
Brian Smith, winemaker at Oyster River Winegrowers of Warren, Maine
Brian has been growing grapes organically and making wine in northern New England for 20 years. He has been the owner and winemaker at Oyster River Winegrowers since 2007.
GET YOUR TICKETS TO ALL OPENING DAY EVENTS:
9:30–11:30 am Panel Discussion & Tasting: The Past, Present and Future of Winemaking in the American Northeast $15
2–4:30 pm Five Wine Tasting Seminars: $40 - $125
5:30–9:00 pm Women in Wine Dinner, Who paired it Better?: $150
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise.
