Sissle & Daughters
Mary Chapman and Will Sissle have built something genuinely special on Washington Avenue. A cheesemonger, grocer, and wine bar that operates with the conviction that cheese and wine are most interesting when they tell a story together. Cut-to-order selections, thoughtfully curated bottles, coffee and pastries in the morning, wine by the glass in the afternoon: […]
Lambs Maine
Lambs wears its identity openly- cocktails, natural wine, and beer in a neighborhood bar on the Fore River in South Portland that has quietly become one of the most interesting rooms in the Portland area. The tinned fish selection is a particular touch of personality, and the outdoor space stretches to 105 seats in the […]
Uncle Dean’s Natural Market
The anchor of the natural food community in central Maine, Uncle Dean’s has been Waterville’s go-to source for organic and local provisions for years. Their wine selection reflects the same values as the rest of the store: thoughtfully chosen, honest in origin, and supported by regular in-store tastings that give customers the chance to learn […]
Blue Hill Wine Shop
With over 3,000 bottles and two decades of building trust in the Blue Hill community, Max Treitler and Mary Alice Hurvitt have created something rare- a destination wine shop that feels genuinely personal. Their Thursday & Friday wine bar brings the selection to life, inviting conversation over glasses that range from the approachable to the […]
The Wine Seller
One of Midcoast Maine’s most trusted wine destinations, The Wine Seller has been a fixture on Rockland’s Main Street since 1999. Their thoughtfully curated selection spans the globe without losing sight of the grower. Regular free tastings make it a gathering place as much as a retailer, and a recent move to a larger space […]
The Annual Saamuri Natural Wine Salon
Kosta recently reflected on a standout moment from his trip to Georgia with Saamuri Wine Bar and their highly anticipated annual event in Tbilisi- the Saamuri Natural Wine Salon. The festival celebrates organic and natural winemaking, typically taking place in early May at Tbilisi’s iconic creative co-working space, Fabrika.
Punk Rock and Urban Winemaking Culture
The most exciting story in Georgian wine is not the 8,000 years of wine making tradition. It’s how this tradition remains relevant and unfolds in the modern urban environment.
Traveling to Georgia with Saperavi Brothers
Kosta recently traveled to Georgia as a guide for Haley Fortier, the owner of haley.henry Wine Bar and Nathálie Wine Bar, and Mike Dupuy of Streetcar. These two Boston-based friends of Georgian wines were officially introduced to the Georgian wine scene.
“Why Georgians Are the Original Natty Wine Freaks”
Long before natural wine became a movement, Georgians were already doing it.
Substrate
Substrate is a staple in Charlotte’s Optimist Park neighborhood, pouring thoughtful wine, vermouth, and amaro in a relaxed, no-pretense setting. Their menu leans into tiny fish, free saltines, and outside food always welcome- a refreshingly unpretentious approach to natural and low-intervention wine. Since opening, Substrate has become a cult favorite among Charlotte’s wine-forward crowd for […]