6:30-8:30 PM (6:15 Boarding) | Maine State Pier | Portland, Maine

Must be 21 years of age or older.

🐠 WINE & RAW BAR SAILS

You’re in for an unforgettable wine and raw bar experience aboard the immaculate 74-foot tall ship Frances as you sail through the stunning waters of Casco Bay. With panoramic views of Maine’s lighthouses, islands, and historic coastline, you’ll indulge in five delicious raw bar courses—featuring pristine seafood and high-quality wine pairings selected by Sommelier Erica Archer to elevate every bite.

Each course showcases the freshest seafood imaginable—harvested just hours before from Maine’s working waterfront—prepared with just the right touch. Savor a curated selection of the season’s finest delicacies: scallops, freshly shucked oysters, little neck clams, Jonah crab claws, and crudos such as Atlantic fluke, salmon, or black sea bass.

Join us for an incredible experience that brings together exceptional wines, fresh Maine seafood, and a scenic coastal sail you’ll be thinking about long after the last course. Is your mouth watering yet?

🗓️ 2025 Wine & Raw Bar Sail Dates:

• Sunday, June 22, Wine & Raw Bar Sail | 12:00–2:00 PM

• Sunday, July 6, Sunset Wine & Raw Bar Sail | 6:30–8:30 PM

• Sunday, August 24, Wine & Raw Bar Sail | 12:00–2:00 PM

• Sunday, August 31, Sunset Wine & Raw Bar Sail | 6:00–8:00 PM

On Board, You'll:

• Indulge in five delicious raw bar courses—featuring pristine seafood and high-quality wine pairings selected by Sommelier Erica Archer.

• Savor a curated selection of Maine’s finest seafood, such as scallops, freshly shucked oysters, little neck clams, Jonah crab claws, and crudos such as Atlantic fluke, salmon, or black sea bass—prepared with just the right touch.

• Discover what styles of wine are an excellent match for expertly-prepared raw seafood.

• Gain valuable insights into wine by understanding how regional influences shape styles and quality.

• Build confidence in selecting and pairing wines and describing your tasting notes like a pro.

• Discuss major grape varieties and styles worthy of your attention.

• Learn what to expect from specific 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.

Please Note: We are serving five wines and five raw seafood courses. Due to the nature of our events, we are unable to accommodate food allergies, dietary restrictions, or substitutions. If you have food concerns, you’re welcome to bring your own snack.

Your Sommelier
Archer is a true oenophile, having obtained high levels of certification in her field. In 2010, she was awarded the Wine Spirit and Education Trust Level Three Advanced Certification in Wines and Spirits (with merit), became a Sommelier in the American Court of Master Sommeliers, and received her Certified Wine Professional award from the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, California. Erica is the principal of Wine Wise, a wine education and events service. She is skilled at creating truly creative and memorable wine experiences that take guests beyond a typical tasting with her intimate understanding of what makes each wine unique. And she’ll do it with her trademark down-to-earth style.

Where do we meet?
We are sailing on The Frances at Maine Sailing Adventures on the Maine State Pier, 56 Commercial Street, Portland, ME 04101 (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street).

Cancellations, rescheduling requests, no-shows, and weather policies:
Please see our policies on the Get Ready for Your Wine Sail or FAQ page.

What else?

1. Please put your Wine Sail on your calendar to arrive 20 minutes before departure so you do not miss the boarding call. Please heed our advice and allow plenty of time to drive into Portland and find parking. It is no fun missing the boat because of late arrivals.

2. Please review our Get Ready for Your Wine Sail page and forward it to everyone attending with you so that everyone is adequately prepared and on time—or early!! We cannot hold the boat for any late arrivals. 

3. We receive many of the same questions. We have taken the time to write thorough answers to frequently asked questions on our FAQ page. Please look there for immediate answers to many questions.