Wine Club Delivery
Apr
24
10:00 AM10:00

Wine Club Delivery

WINE WISE WINE CLUB

A Sommelier-Curated Wine Club for Portland + Surrounding Communities

Wine Club Members, it’s the last Wednesday of the month which means your club wines will be delivered today. We can’t wait for you to experience them. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Accept the Delivery. Someone at least 21 years old must be present with a valid ID to accept the delivery.

Recycle Your Tote with us: Your wine will be packed in an eco-friendly cardboard tote. Please return it to us for reuse.

Make the Most of Your Wine: Enjoy our tasting notes, serving, and food pairing suggestions to enhance your wine experience.


Not a Wine Club member yet?

We’d love to have you. Discover hard-to-come-by limited production wines that are handpicked by a trusted source, convenient monthly deliveries, and access to member-only perks and events.

We offer several distinct membership plans. Choose the one that is right for you depending on how many bottles of our sommelier-curated wines you’d like delivered each month, the perks you'd like to experience, and if you want tasting notes and food pairing advice or a monthly custom selection.

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Small Group Trip to Tuscany + Cinque Terre Extension
Apr
28
to May 8

Small Group Trip to Tuscany + Cinque Terre Extension

SOLD OUT
(Let us know if you’d like to be added to the waitlist)

You’ll be joining Sommelier Erica Archer on a 7-night small-group trip to Tuscany, April 28 - May 5, with exclusive visits to some of the best wineries, magnificent wines, restaurants, art, and architecture that Tuscany has to offer. We’ve also included an optional extension to CinqueTerre, May 5 - 8. Space is limited, and our small-group trips do fill up quickly. If you think you’d like to join us, we do advise booking early.

With Sommelier Erica Archer as your guide, you’ll have exclusive access to private tours, premium wine tastings, and exclusive experiences at some of the most exclusive wineries in the region.  You can’t beat the perks of having Erica as your guide—day after day of access to superb wineries, incredible wines, and glorious culinary experiences—you are in for an incredible trip.

This will be our sixth Small-Group Wine Region trip to Tuscany. Past trips have filled quickly. Do not delay in making your reservation for this trip if you’d like to join us.

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, and 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.

Must be 21 years of age or older.

YOUR TRIP INCLUDES:
7-nights accommodation
All hotel taxes
All ground transportation during the trip
Continental breakfasts daily
Welcome night wine reception
Four wine lunches
Four wine dinners
Meal taxes & gratuities
All scheduled wine tastings
Erica Archer as your professional tour guide
All admissions per itinerary
All sightseeing per itinerary

DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Airfare or travel to and from Tuscany and our starting hotel location.
Some meals are on your own. These are arranged around free time to explore the picturesque Italian villas.
Cinque Terre excursion is priced separately.

CONDITIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
This trip is guaranteed departure based on 8 attendees.

RESERVATIONS:
To reserve your trip please submit your deposit of $2,000 per person for the Tuscany trip + $1000 per person for the Cinque Terre extension. Contact Erica Archer at Wine Wise with any questions: erica.archer@winewiseevents.com, 207-619-4630. The remaining balance is due February 1, 2024.

CANCELLATIONS:
If you must cancel your trip reservation with us before 2/1/2024 there will be a $500.00 per person cancellation fee. There are no refunds after 2/1/2024 if we cannot fill your spots. We strongly urge you to consider taking travel insurance to help cover any unforeseen circumstances that may arise. For insurance information, please visit InsureMyTrip.

RESPONSIBILITY:
Wine Wise and Erica Archer accept no responsibility for any delayed departures or arrivals, missed connections, loss, damage, or injury to persons or property. We are not responsible for any extra costs incurred for required covid testing and accommodations if you test positive and cannot leave the country until you are able to test negative. We reserve the right to change the itinerary and substitute arrangements of any equal value if circumstances warrant a change.

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Wine Club Delivery
May
29
10:00 AM10:00

Wine Club Delivery

WINE WISE WINE CLUB

A Sommelier-Curated Wine Club for Portland + Surrounding Communities

Wine Club Members, it’s the last Wednesday of the month which means your club wines will be delivered today. We can’t wait for you to experience them. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Accept the Delivery. Someone at least 21 years old must be present with a valid ID to accept the delivery.

Recycle Your Tote with us: Your wine will be packed in an eco-friendly cardboard tote. Please return it to us for reuse.

Make the Most of Your Wine: Enjoy our tasting notes, serving, and food pairing suggestions to enhance your wine experience.


Not a Wine Club member yet?

We’d love to have you. Discover hard-to-come-by limited production wines that are handpicked by a trusted source, convenient monthly deliveries, and access to member-only perks and events.

We offer several distinct membership plans. Choose the one that is right for you depending on how many bottles of our sommelier-curated wines you’d like delivered each month, the perks you'd like to experience, and if you want tasting notes and food pairing advice or a monthly custom selection.

View Event →
Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Loire Valley
Jun
7
3:15 PM15:15

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Loire Valley

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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, all while indulging in a wine class! You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 some incredibly delicious quality wines from France's renowned Loire Valley that you'll love to have in your repertoire. These wines are diverse, delicious, perfect for summer, and adored by wine newbies and connoisseurs.

  • Taste and learn about these delicious wines that you'll be thrilled to have in your repertoire

  • Find out what makes each region and sub-region unique in the styles of wine they produce

  • Discuss the major grape varieties and some up-and-coming contenders worthy of your attention

  • Learn what to expect from certain terms on a wine label when selecting your next 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 are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Piedmont, Italy
Jun
7
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Piedmont, Italy

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from the diverse wine regions of Italy’s renowned Piedmont region that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious wines from Piedmont, Italy that you’ll thoroughly while sailing and seeing in the sight on the coast of Maine and love having in your repertoire.

  • Discover classic and emerging wines, varieties, and styles found in the Piedmont region.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine + Fresh Maine Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine
Jun
8
12:00 PM12:00

Wine + Fresh Maine Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE & OYSTER SAIL!

You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through Maine’s beautiful Casco Bay with scenic views of lighthouses, islands, and waterways … all while indulging in an incredible selection of five wines paired with fresh Maine oysters. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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. It does not get much better than this.

  • Taste and learn about five delicious wines that pair great with fresh Maine oysters.

  • 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. You are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations of any kind.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious Whites
Jun
8
3:15 PM15:15

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious Whites

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 white wines from around the world that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious white wines you’ll thoroughly enjoy and love to have in your repertoire.

  • Discover classic and emerging white wine regions, varieties, and styles.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Mediterranean
Jun
8
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Mediterranean

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality reds from countries and wine regions around The Mediterranean that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious wines from all around The Mediterranean from countries such as Greece, Mediterranean France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Lebanon, etc.

  • Discover some incredible gems, emerging and classic, that you’ll love to have in your repertoire.

    Learn a few things to expect from wines made in these Mediterranean countries and climates.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Napa + Sonoma
Jun
9
3:15 PM15:15

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Napa + Sonoma

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 Napa & Sonoma, California, that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from the renowned and diverse sub-regions within Napa & Sonoma.

  • Find out what makes each of the Napa and Sonoma wine regions 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 are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: California's Central Coast
Jun
9
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: California's Central Coast

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from the diverse wine regions of California’s Central Coast that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

The Central Coast in California covers the long stretch of coastline from San Francisco Bay south to Santa Barbara and some of California's most famous wine regions outside Napa and Sonoma. The climate and topography vary enormously across this immense region bringing a beautiful diversity of grapes grown and wines produced. We can’t think of a better way to showcase this than through a diverse line-up of wines poured while sailing in Casco Bay.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from the diverse regions of California’s Central Coast, such as Edna Valley, Paso Robles, Monterrey, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz Mountains, etc.

  • Find out what makes each Central Coast 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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Portland Wine Week, June 10-16, 2024
Jun
10
to Jun 16

Portland Wine Week, June 10-16, 2024

Must be 21 years of age or older.

Kickoff summer with a week of wine in gorgeous, coastal Portland Maine during Portland Wine Week, June 10-16, 2024!

Crafted as a boutique experience for wine enthusiasts of all types—from the casual wine lover to the serious oenophile—this week of world-class wine, learning experiences, and award-winning food will launch you into summer with style. Activities will include incredible opening day events, wine dinners, sails, tastings, educational classes and seminars, special menus and wine lists at local restaurants; and other happenings that feature wine, food, art, and fun.

Visit portlandwineweek.me and see the events schedule as it comes together in the coming weeks.

Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with partner sponsor Bangor Savings.

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Chef Series Wine + Food Sail with Paolo Laboa of Solo Italiano
Jun
12
3:15 PM15:15

Chef Series Wine + Food Sail with Paolo Laboa of Solo Italiano

Must be 21 years of age or older.

This event is part of Portland Wine Week, June 10-16, 2024

WINE & CHEF SAILS ARE BACK!

If these are not the best thing going on in Portland in the 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 to join us to help us kick off our Portland Wine Week schedule!

You’ll be joining Sommelier Erica Archer of Wine Wise and Chef Paolo Laboa of Solo Italiano for a gorgeous scenic wine sail on board the 74-foot sailboat, Frances, built by her Captains and crew on Portland's waterfront. You’ll sail and sip five incredibly delicious Italian wines that you'll love to have in your repertoire ... each paired with tastes of Italy prepared for you by Executive Chef Paolo Laboa, a native of Genoa, Italy. 

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 while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with 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 learn a lot about Italian food and local Maine produce from Paolo.

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.

  • Taste and learn about Italian wines that you'll love to have in your repertoire each paired with incredible food from Chef Laboa, five wines, and food pairings in all.

  • Find out what makes each region unique in the styles of wine they produce

  • Learn about the fresh Maine produce and authentic Italian ingredients chef uses in each dish

  • Discuss the major Italian grape varieties and regions—classic and up-and-coming contenders 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

The menu will be available close to the date of the event as chef takes his inspiration from only the freshest local ingredients. Due to the nature of this event, we regret that we cannot accommodate food substitutions.

Your Chef
Paolo Laboa’s journey started in his mother's kitchen, where he learned the secrets of real Genovese cooking, the pinnacle of Northern Italian cuisine. Every ingredient Chef Paolo touches is fresh from the farm and sea to his kitchen to your table. Some of his favorite farms are Stonecipher Farm, Dandelion Springs Farm, Valley Farm, Olivia’s Garden for greens, vegetables, basil, and herbs, and Northspore for foraged mushrooms. Fresh fish is brought in each day through Upstream, Harbor Fish Market, or Browne Trading Co. Also sourcing other proteins like wild rabbit from Sumner Valley Farm and lamb and pork from Two Cove Farm, while dairy comes from a variety of these local farmers. “Cooking is what I love and I want each ingredient to sing. Simplicity is my goal. If there are five ingredients, I want you to taste all five of them.” Bread and pasta are all made in-house from scratch using traditional Genovese recipes. “It is very important–the food that you eat,” says Laboa.

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, and 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 sense of humor and down-to-earth style.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). The signage from the road is not so great. Casco Bay Lines is right there as well. You'll walk down the paved road to the pier with the Whale Wall on your left and the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal on your right. Keep walking onto the Maine State Pier (past gate 5 of the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal). On the pier, to the right, you will see two sheds for two sailing companies. Please wait by the Maine Sailing Adventures/Frances shed.

What else?

  1. Please put your Wine Sail in your calendar to arrive before the boarding time. 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.

  3. Please forward our Get Ready for Your Wine Sail page to everyone attending with you so that everyone is adequately prepared and on time... or early!! 

  4. We receive many of the same questions very frequently. 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.

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


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Sparkling Wines
Jun
12
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Sparkling Wines

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

This Wine Sail is part of Portland Wine Week, June 10 - 16, 2024.

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 sparkling wines from diverse wine regions and styles from around the world that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • 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 are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Pacific Northwest
Jun
13
3:15 PM15:15

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Pacific Northwest

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

This Wine Sail is part of Portland Wine Week, June 10 - 16, 2024.

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from the diverse wine regions of The United State’s Pacific Northwest that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • 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 favorite wines we’ve discovered lately.

  • Discover classic and emerging wines, varieties, and styles 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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Greece
Jun
13
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Greece

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

This Wine Sail is part of Portland Wine Week, June 10 - 16, 2024.

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Amber, Orange + Rosé Wines
Jun
14
3:15 PM15:15

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Amber, Orange + Rosé Wines

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

This Wine Sail is part of Portland Wine Week, June 10-16, 2024

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality amber, orange, and rosé wines from around the world that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious amber, orange, and rosé wines from around the world that you’ll love

  • Find out how color in wines occurs and what information can be assessed from a wine’s color.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Spain
Jun
14
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Spain

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

This Wine Sail is part of Portland Wine Week, June 10 - 16, 2024.

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: France
Jun
15
12:00 PM12:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: France

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 France; such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire Valley, Savoie, Rhone Valley, etc.

  • Find out what makes each French 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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: South Africa
Jun
15
3:15 PM15:15

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: South Africa

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

This Wine Sail is part of Portland Wine Week, June 10 - 16, 2024.

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Sicily
Jun
15
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Sicily

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

This Wine Sail is part of Portland Wine Week, June 10-16, 2024.

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Chef Series Wine + Food Sail with Mimi Weissenborn of Sur Lie | 12:00 - 2:00
Jun
16
12:00 PM12:00

Chef Series Wine + Food Sail with Mimi Weissenborn of Sur Lie | 12:00 - 2:00

Must be 21 years of age or older.

This event is part of Portland Wine Week, June 10-16, 2024

Shef Mimi Weissenborn and Owner Krista Cole of Sur Lie.

WINE & CHEF SAILS ARE BACK!

If these are not the best thing going on in Portland in the 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.

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.

Your Chef
A native Maryland crab, Mimi 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor and down-to-earth style.

Where do we meet?

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). The signage from the road is not so great. Casco Bay Lines is right there as well. You'll walk down the paved road to the pier with the Whale Wall on your left and the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal on your right. Keep walking onto the Maine State Pier (past gate 5 of the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal). On the pier, to the right, you will see two sheds for two sailing companies. Please wait by the Maine Sailing Adventures/Frances shed.

What else?

  1. Please put your Wine Sail in your calendar to arrive before the boarding time. 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.

  3. Please forward our Get Ready for Your Wine Sail page to everyone attending with you so that everyone is adequately prepared and on time... or early!! 

  4. We receive many of the same questions very frequently. 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.

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


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Wine + Fresh Maine Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine
Jun
16
3:15 PM15:15

Wine + Fresh Maine Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE & OYSTER SAIL!

This Wine Sail is part of Portland Wine Week, June 10 - 16, 2024.

You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through Maine’s beautiful Casco Bay with scenic views of lighthouses, islands, and waterways … all while indulging in an incredible selection of five wines paired with fresh Maine oysters. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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. It does not get much better than this.

  • Taste and learn about five delicious wines that pair great with fresh Maine oysters

  • 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. You are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations of any kind.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Celebrating Women Winemakers
Jun
16
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Celebrating Women Winemakers

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

This Wine Sail is part of Portland Wine Week, June 10 - 16, 2024.

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from some incredible women winemakers that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from around the world made by women who are at the topping of the lists for making incredible wines.

  • Find out what makes each featured European 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Italy
Jun
21
3:15 PM15:15

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Italy

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 renowned wine regions of Italy that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from Italy, such as Alto Adige, Friuli, Liguria, Piedmont, Sicily, Sardinia, Tuscany, Umbria, Veneto, etc.

  • Find out what makes Italy’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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious European Wines
Jun
21
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious European Wines

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from wine-renowned European countries that you'll love to have in your repertoire

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from Europe’s classic and up-and-coming wine regions in countries such as Austria, Croatia, France, Italy, Georgia, Greece, Slovenia, Spain, etc.

  • Find out what makes each featured European 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Pinot Noir
Jun
22
12:00 PM12:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Pinot Noir

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 five delicious quality Pinot Noir wines from renowned regions of the world that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about five beautiful Pinot Noirs from regions such as Burgundy, Carneros, Santa Rita Hills, Russian River Valley, Germany, The Loire, Central Otago, New Zeland, etc...

  • Find out what makes each Pinot Noir wine region unique in the styles of wine they produce

  • Discuss the major and trending 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Italian Whites
Jun
22
3:15 PM15:15

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Italian Whites

Must be 21 years of age or older.

Must be 21 years of age or older.

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality white wines from Italy.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious white wines from Italy—including some incredible gems from the stellar vintages and emerging and classic varieties and regions that you’ll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Learn a few things to expect from wines made in these Italian regions and grape varieties.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: France
Jun
22
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: France

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 France; such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire Valley, Savoie, Rhone Valley, etc.

  • Find out what makes each French 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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Club Delivery
Jun
26
10:00 AM10:00

Wine Club Delivery

WINE WISE WINE CLUB

A Sommelier-Curated Wine Club for Portland + Surrounding Communities

Wine Club Members, it’s the last Wednesday of the month which means your club wines will be delivered today. We can’t wait for you to experience them. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Accept the Delivery. Someone at least 21 years old must be present with a valid ID to accept the delivery.

Recycle Your Tote with us: Your wine will be packed in an eco-friendly cardboard tote. Please return it to us for reuse.

Make the Most of Your Wine: Enjoy our tasting notes, serving, and food pairing suggestions to enhance your wine experience.


Not a Wine Club member yet?

We’d love to have you. Discover hard-to-come-by limited production wines that are handpicked by a trusted source, convenient monthly deliveries, and access to member-only perks and events.

We offer several distinct membership plans. Choose the one that is right for you depending on how many bottles of our sommelier-curated wines you’d like delivered each month, the perks you'd like to experience, and if you want tasting notes and food pairing advice or a monthly custom selection.

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Corporate Event: Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine
Jun
27
6:30 PM18:30

Corporate Event: Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine

We’re booked for a private Wine Sail tonight!

interested in booking a private Wine Sail for your team? Read our recommendations based on group size.

Must be 21 years of age or older.

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about delicious sommelier-curated wines

  • Find out what makes each wine and region unique in the styles of wine they produce

  • Discuss the major and emerging 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Portugal + Spain
Jun
28
3:15 PM15:15

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Portugal + Spain

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 Spain that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from Iberian Portugal + Spain as we explore indigenous grape varieties grown in varying climates, elevations, terrain, and classic and emerging wines and styles.

  • Find out what makes each wine region unique in the styles of wine they produce

  • Discuss the major and emerging Portuguese and 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: California
Jun
28
6:30 PM18:30

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: California

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 California wine regions that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from the diverse regions of California, such as Central Coast, Napa, Mendocino, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Santa Rita Hills, Sonoma, etc.

  • Find out what makes each California 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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Spain
Jun
29
12:00 PM12:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Spain

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: European Whites
Jun
29
3:15 PM15:15

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: European Whites

Must be 21 years of age or older.

This Wine Sail is part of Portland Wine Week, June 10 - 16, 2024.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 mineral-driven European white wines that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious white wines from Europe’s classic and up-and-coming wine regions in countries such as Austria, Croatia, France, Italy, Greece, Slovenia, Spain, etc.

  • Discover classic and emerging white wine regions, grape varieties, and wine-making styles that deliver these kinds of wines.

  • Discuss the major and emerging 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Mediterranean
Jun
29
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Mediterranean

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality reds from countries and wine regions around The Mediterranean that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious wines from all around The Mediterranean from countries such as Greece, Mediterranean France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Lebanon, etc.

  • Discover some incredible gems, emerging and classic, that you’ll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Learn a few things to expect from wines made in these Mediterranean countries and climates.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Chef Series Wine + Food Sail: Spain in Maine with Chefs Sansonetti + Lopez
Jun
30
12:00 PM12:00

Chef Series Wine + Food Sail: Spain in Maine with Chefs Sansonetti + Lopez

Must be 21 years of age or older.

WINE & CHEF SAILS ARE BACK!

If these are not the best thing going on in Portland in the 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.

Today two James Beard Nominated and Finalist Chefs, Damian Sansonetti and Ilma Lopez Co-Owners of Chaval and The Ugly Duckling, come on board to prepare five delicious courses of Spanish cuisine inspired by the produce of local Maine farmers, harvesters, and purveyors, created to pair with five delicious wine from Spain.

You're in for an incredible wine, food, and sailing experience as you sail through Maine’s pristine Casco Bay with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste. And no doubt, you will taste and learn a lot about the incredible food Chefs Sansonetti and Lopz have prepared for you.

We recommend getting your tickets soon if you’d like to join us. These events sell out quickly!

Menu TBA
The menu will be available close to the date of the event as the chefs take inspiration from only the freshest local ingredients. Due to the nature of this event, we regret that we cannot accommodate food substitutions.

Your Chefs

Chef Damian Sansonetti, a Pittsburgh native, grew up exploring fresh, local ingredients, making pasta with his grandmothers, curing meats with his grandfather, and assisting his father in the family kitchen. 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. Training rigorously under Chef Olivier Muller, Sansonetti became chef de banquet at Daniel and then sous chef under Jean Francois Bruel. Promoted to executive chef of Bar Boulud in 2008, Sansonetti was named a 2009 StarChefs.com Rising Star and, in 2022, a finalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef, Northeast. Now ensconced in the burgeoning food scene of Portland, Maine, Sansonetti’s partnered with his wife, Pastry Chef Ilma Lopez (a 2014 StarChefs.com Rising Star Pastry Chef and nominated in 2018 for a James Beard Award as Outstanding Pastry Chef), to open their Italian fine dining restaurant Piccolo and in 2017 Chaval. 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Greece
Jun
30
3:15 PM15:15

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Greece

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Tuscany
Jun
30
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Tuscany

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 renowned wine sub-regions of Tuscany, Italy, that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about five delicious wines from Tuscany, such as Carmignano, Chianti Classico, Montalcino, Maremma, San Gimignano, etc.

  • Find out what makes Tuscany’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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Pacific Northwest
Jul
5
3:15 PM15:15

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Pacific Northwest

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from the diverse wine regions of The United State’s Pacific Northwest that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • 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 favorite wines we’ve discovered lately.

  • Discover classic and emerging wines, varieties, and styles 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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Napa + Sonoma
Jul
5
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Napa + Sonoma

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 Napa & Sonoma, California, that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from the renowned and diverse sub-regions within Napa & Sonoma.

  • Find out what makes each of the Napa and Sonoma wine regions 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 are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine + Fresh Maine Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine
Jul
6
12:00 PM12:00

Wine + Fresh Maine Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE & OYSTER SAIL!

You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through Maine’s beautiful Casco Bay with scenic views of lighthouses, islands, and waterways … all while indulging in an incredible selection of five wines paired with fresh Maine oysters. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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. It does not get much better than this.

  • Taste and learn about five delicious wines that pair great with fresh Maine oysters.

  • 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. You are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations of any kind.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Rosé
Jul
6
3:15 PM15:15

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Rosé

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality rosé wines from around the world that you'll love to have in your repertoire. These wines are diverse, delicious, perfect for summer, and adored by wine newbies and connoisseurs.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious rosé wines from around the world that you’ll absolutely love

  • Find out how color in wines occurs and what information can be assessed from a wine’s color.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Piedmont, Italy
Jul
6
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Piedmont, Italy

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from the diverse wine regions of Italy’s renowned Piedmont region that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious wines from Piedmont, Italy that you’ll thoroughly while sailing and seeing in the sight on the coast of Maine and love having in your repertoire.

  • Discover classic and emerging wines, varieties, and styles found in the Piedmont region.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Chef Series Wine + Food Sail with Chefs Sansonetti + Lopez
Jul
7
12:00 PM12:00

Chef Series Wine + Food Sail with Chefs Sansonetti + Lopez

Must be 21 years of age or older.

WINE & CHEF SAILS ARE BACK!

If these are not the best thing going on in Portland in the 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.

Today two James Beard Nominated and Finalist Chefs, Damian Sansonetti and Ilma Lopez Co-Owners of Chaval and The Ugly Duckling, come on board to prepare five delicious courses inspired by the produce of local Maine farmers, harvesters, and purveyors, created to pair with five delicious wines.

You're in for an incredible wine, food, and sailing experience as you sail through Maine’s pristine Casco Bay with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste. And no doubt, you will taste and learn a lot about the incredible food Chefs Sansonetti and Lopz have prepared for you.

We recommend getting your tickets soon if you’d like to join us. These events sell out quickly!

Menu TBA
The menu will be available close to the date of the event as the chefs take inspiration from only the freshest local ingredients. Due to the nature of this event, we regret that we cannot accommodate food substitutions.

Your Chefs

Chef Damian Sansonetti, a Pittsburgh native, grew up exploring fresh, local ingredients, making pasta with his grandmothers, curing meats with his grandfather, and assisting his father in the family kitchen. 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. Training rigorously under Chef Olivier Muller, Sansonetti became chef de banquet at Daniel and then sous chef under Jean Francois Bruel. Promoted to executive chef of Bar Boulud in 2008, Sansonetti was named a 2009 StarChefs.com Rising Star and, in 2022, a finalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef, Northeast. Now ensconced in the burgeoning food scene of Portland, Maine, Sansonetti’s partnered with his wife, Pastry Chef Ilma Lopez (a 2014 StarChefs.com Rising Star Pastry Chef and nominated in 2018 for a James Beard Award as Outstanding Pastry Chef), to open their Italian fine dining restaurant Piccolo and in 2017 Chaval. 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: South Africa
Jul
7
3:15 PM15:15

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: South Africa

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Sicily
Jul
7
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Sicily

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Chef Series Wine + Food Sail with Chef Chris Gould of Central Provisions
Jul
12
3:00 PM15:00

Chef Series Wine + Food Sail with Chef Chris Gould of Central Provisions

Must be 21 years of age or older.

WINE & CHEF SAILS ARE BACK!

If this is not the most exclusive, luxurious dinner reservation you have all summer, we don’t know what is! Sommelier Erica Archer has invited some of her favorite, highly-awarded chefs in Portland to join her on a select few of our season-long wine sails to pair five amazing courses with five delicious wines.

Today, Chef Chris Gould, chef and owner of the nationally-recognized and James Beard Award nominee for Best New Restaurant, Central Provisions will come on board to prepare five delicious courses of his signature cuisine inspired by the produce of local Maine farmers, harvesters, and purveyors, created to pair with five delicious wines pairings.

You're in for an incredible wine, food, and sailing experience as you sail through Maine’s pristine Casco Bay with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste. And no doubt, you will taste and learn a lot about the incredible food Chef Gould has prepared for you.

We recommend getting your tickets soon if you’d like to join us. These events sell out quickly!

Menu TBD
The menu will be available close to the date of the event as the chefs take inspiration from only the freshest local ingredients. Due to the nature of this event, we regret that we cannot accommodate food substitutions.

About Your Chef

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, ME. When asked to return the following summer, he said yes, but only as a cook on the line. He spent the following summer on the line working sauté. When it came to deciding where to go for college, his chef Steve Stone pointed him toward The Balsams Hotel in Northern New Hampshire. The Balsams had an accredited ACF (American Culinary Foundation) apprenticeship program where Chef Chris 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, Chris landed in Boston in 2006 and started working at Clio Restaurant as a garde manger cook; within a year he was chef tournant including taking on the position of sashimi assistant at Uni Sashimi Bar. In 2009, he helped Chef Ken Oringer and Chef Jamie Bissonnette open Coppa Enoteca as the opening sous chef. Later that year Chef Oringer had Chris return to Uni Sashimi Bar as his chef de cuisine where he spent the next three years. He also met his wife and business partner, Paige Gould at Clio and in October 2012 the two moved to Portland, ME. 

Chris and Paige spent two years making Central Provisions a reality, and in February 2014 they opened the doors to national acclaim, including being nominated for best new restaurant in the nation by the James Beard Foundation. Three years later they opened their second Portland restaurant, Tipo specializing in Neapolitan pizzas, pasta, and small plates.

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, and 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 sense of humor and down-to-earth style.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Portugal + Spain
Jul
12
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Portugal + Spain

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 Spain that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from Iberian Portugal + Spain as we explore indigenous grape varieties grown in varying climates, elevations, terrain, and classic and emerging wines and styles.

  • Find out what makes each wine region unique in the styles of wine they produce

  • Discuss the major and emerging Portuguese and 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine + Fresh Maine Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine
Jul
13
12:00 PM12:00

Wine + Fresh Maine Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE & OYSTER SAIL!

You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through Maine’s beautiful Casco Bay with scenic views of lighthouses, islands, and waterways … all while indulging in an incredible selection of five wines paired with fresh Maine oysters. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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. It does not get much better than this.

  • Taste and learn about five delicious wines that pair great with fresh Maine oysters.

  • 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. You are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations of any kind.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: European Whites
Jul
13
3:15 PM15:15

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: European Whites

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 mineral-driven European white wines that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious white wines from Europe’s classic and up-and-coming wine regions in countries such as Austria, Croatia, France, Italy, Greece, Slovenia, Spain, etc.

  • Discover classic and emerging white wine regions, grape varieties, and wine-making styles that deliver these kinds of wines.

  • Discuss the major and emerging 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: California's Central Coast
Jul
13
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: California's Central Coast

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from the diverse wine regions of California’s Central Coast that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

The Central Coast in California covers the long stretch of coastline from San Francisco Bay south to Santa Barbara and some of California's most famous wine regions outside Napa and Sonoma. The climate and topography vary enormously across this immense region bringing a beautiful diversity of grapes grown and wines produced. We can’t think of a better way to showcase this than through a diverse line-up of wines poured while sailing in Casco Bay.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from the diverse regions of California’s Central Coast, such as Edna Valley, Paso Robles, Monterrey, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz Mountains, etc.

  • Find out what makes each Central Coast 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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine + Fresh Maine Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine
Jul
14
12:00 PM12:00

Wine + Fresh Maine Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE & OYSTER SAIL!

You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through Maine’s beautiful Casco Bay with scenic views of lighthouses, islands, and waterways … all while indulging in an incredible selection of five wines paired with fresh Maine oysters. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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. It does not get much better than this.

  • Taste and learn about five delicious wines that pair great with fresh Maine oysters.

  • 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. You are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations of any kind.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Amber, Orange + Rosé Wines
Jul
14
3:15 PM15:15

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Amber, Orange + Rosé Wines

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality amber, orange, and rosé wines from around the world that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious amber, orange, and rosé wines from around the world that you’ll love

  • Find out how color in wines occurs and what information can be assessed from a wine’s color.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: France
Jul
14
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: France

Must be 21 years of age or older.

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 France; such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire Valley, Savoie, Rhone Valley, etc.

  • Find out what makes each French 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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious European Wines
Jul
19
3:15 PM15:15

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious European Wines

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from wine-renowned European countries that you'll love to have in your repertoire

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from Europe’s classic and up-and-coming wine regions in countries such as Austria, Croatia, France, Italy, Georgia, Greece, Slovenia, Spain, etc.

  • Find out what makes each featured European 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Celebrating Women Winemakers
Jul
19
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Celebrating Women Winemakers

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from some incredible women winemakers that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from around the world made by women who are at the topping of the lists for making incredible wines.

  • Find out what makes each featured European 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Spain
Jul
20
12:00 PM12:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Spain

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: California
Jul
20
3:15 PM15:15

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: California

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 California wine regions that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from the diverse regions of California, such as Central Coast, Napa, Mendocino, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Santa Rita Hills, Sonoma, etc.

  • Find out what makes each California 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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Italy
Jul
20
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Italy

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 renowned wine regions of Italy that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from Italy, such as Alto Adige, Friuli, Liguria, Piedmont, Sicily, Sardinia, Tuscany, Umbria, Veneto, etc.

  • Find out what makes Italy’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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Chef Series Wine + Food Sail with Chefs Sansonetti + Lopez
Jul
21
12:00 PM12:00

Chef Series Wine + Food Sail with Chefs Sansonetti + Lopez

Must be 21 years of age or older.

WINE & CHEF SAILS ARE BACK!

If these are not the best thing going on in Portland in the 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.

Today two James Beard Nominated and Finalist Chefs, Damian Sansonetti and Ilma Lopez Co-Owners of Chaval and The Ugly Duckling, come on board to prepare five delicious courses inspired by the produce of local Maine farmers, harvesters, and purveyors, created to pair with five delicious wines.

You're in for an incredible wine, food, and sailing experience as you sail through Maine’s pristine Casco Bay with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste. And no doubt, you will taste and learn a lot about the incredible food Chefs Sansonetti and Lopz have prepared for you.

We recommend getting your tickets soon if you’d like to join us. These events sell out quickly!

Menu TBA
The menu will be available close to the date of the event as the chefs take inspiration from only the freshest local ingredients. Due to the nature of this event, we regret that we cannot accommodate food substitutions.

Your Chefs

Chef Damian Sansonetti, a Pittsburgh native, grew up exploring fresh, local ingredients, making pasta with his grandmothers, curing meats with his grandfather, and assisting his father in the family kitchen. 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. Training rigorously under Chef Olivier Muller, Sansonetti became chef de banquet at Daniel and then sous chef under Jean Francois Bruel. Promoted to executive chef of Bar Boulud in 2008, Sansonetti was named a 2009 StarChefs.com Rising Star and, in 2022, a finalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef, Northeast. Now ensconced in the burgeoning food scene of Portland, Maine, Sansonetti’s partnered with his wife, Pastry Chef Ilma Lopez (a 2014 StarChefs.com Rising Star Pastry Chef and nominated in 2018 for a James Beard Award as Outstanding Pastry Chef), to open their Italian fine dining restaurant Piccolo and in 2017 Chaval. 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Greece
Jul
21
3:15 PM15:15

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Greece

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Tuscany
Jul
21
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Tuscany

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 renowned wine sub-regions of Tuscany, Italy, that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about five delicious wines from Tuscany, such as Carmignano, Chianti Classico, Montalcino, Maremma, San Gimignano, etc.

  • Find out what makes Tuscany’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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Sparkling Wines
Jul
26
3:15 PM15:15

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Sparkling Wines

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 sparkling wines from diverse wine regions and styles from around the world that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • 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 are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Mediterranean
Jul
26
6:30 PM18:30

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Mediterranean

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality reds from countries and wine regions around The Mediterranean that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious wines from all around The Mediterranean from countries such as Greece, Mediterranean France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Lebanon, etc.

  • Discover some incredible gems, emerging and classic, that you’ll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Learn a few things to expect from wines made in these Mediterranean countries and climates.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Club Delivery
Jul
31
10:00 AM10:00

Wine Club Delivery

WINE WISE WINE CLUB

A Sommelier-Curated Wine Club for Portland + Surrounding Communities

Wine Club Members, it’s the last Wednesday of the month which means your club wines will be delivered today. We can’t wait for you to experience them. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Accept the Delivery. Someone at least 21 years old must be present with a valid ID to accept the delivery.

Recycle Your Tote with us: Your wine will be packed in an eco-friendly cardboard tote. Please return it to us for reuse.

Make the Most of Your Wine: Enjoy our tasting notes, serving, and food pairing suggestions to enhance your wine experience.


Not a Wine Club member yet?

We’d love to have you. Discover hard-to-come-by limited production wines that are handpicked by a trusted source, convenient monthly deliveries, and access to member-only perks and events.

We offer several distinct membership plans. Choose the one that is right for you depending on how many bottles of our sommelier-curated wines you’d like delivered each month, the perks you'd like to experience, and if you want tasting notes and food pairing advice or a monthly custom selection.

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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Italy
Aug
2
3:00 PM15:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Italy

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 renowned wine regions of Italy that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from Italy, such as Alto Adige, Friuli, Liguria, Piedmont, Sicily, Sardinia, Tuscany, Umbria, Veneto, etc.

  • Find out what makes Italy’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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious European Wines
Aug
2
6:00 PM18:00

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious European Wines

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from wine-renowned European countries that you'll love to have in your repertoire

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from Europe’s classic and up-and-coming wine regions in countries such as Austria, Croatia, France, Italy, Georgia, Greece, Slovenia, Spain, etc.

  • Find out what makes each featured European 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Piedmont, Italy
Aug
3
12:00 PM12:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Piedmont, Italy

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from the diverse wine regions of Italy’s renowned Piedmont region that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious wines from Piedmont, Italy that you’ll thoroughly while sailing and seeing in the sight on the coast of Maine and love having in your repertoire.

  • Discover classic and emerging wines, varieties, and styles found in the Piedmont region.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious Whites
Aug
3
3:00 PM15:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious Whites

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 white wines from around the world that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious white wines you’ll thoroughly enjoy and love to have in your repertoire.

  • Discover classic and emerging white wine regions, varieties, and styles.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Napa + Sonoma
Aug
3
6:00 PM18:00

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Napa + Sonoma

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 Napa & Sonoma, California, that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from the renowned and diverse sub-regions within Napa & Sonoma.

  • Find out what makes each of the Napa and Sonoma wine regions 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 are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Chef Series: Sicilian Wine & Food Sail with Chef Nick Bianco of Tipo
Aug
4
12:00 PM12:00

Chef Series: Sicilian Wine & Food Sail with Chef Nick Bianco of Tipo

Must be 21 years of age or older.

WINE & CHEF SAILS ARE BACK!

We’re so thrilled to welcome Chef Nick Bianco of Tipo to another Sicilian Wine & Food Sail again this summer! Having been classically trained as a chef in Sicily, he is an extremely talented chef that you might remember from either 2023’s Sicilian Wine & Food Sail or as one of the five chefs invited to cook at the 2023 Portland Wine Week Grand Opening Women in Wine Dinner, sponsored by Bangor Savings. Chef Bianco brings an unmistakable devotion for cuisine to the restaurant industry here –  after all, his earliest memories cooking are from his grandmother’s Brooklin, Maine kitchen. He’s so fun to have on the boat and you’ll be captivated learning about the time-honored, traditional Italian methods he uses. 

On top of all that, you’re in for an incredible wine, food, and sailing experience as you sail through Maine’s pristine Casco Bay with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste. And no doubt, you will taste and learn a lot about the incredible food Chef Bianco has prepared for you.

We recommend getting your tickets soon if you’d like to join us. These events sell out quickly!

Menu TBA

The menu will be available close to the date of the event as Chef takes his inspiration from only the freshest local ingredients. Due to the nature of this event, we regret that we cannot accommodate food substitutions.

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 sense of humor.


View Event →
Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Loire Valley
Aug
4
3:00 PM15:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Loire Valley

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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, all while indulging in a wine class! You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 some incredibly delicious quality wines from France's renowned Loire Valley that you'll love to have in your repertoire. These wines are diverse, delicious, perfect for summer, and adored by wine newbies and connoisseurs.

  • Taste and learn about these delicious wines that you'll be thrilled to have in your repertoire

  • Find out what makes each region and sub-region unique in the styles of wine they produce

  • Discuss the major grape varieties and some up-and-coming contenders worthy of your attention

  • Learn what to expect from certain terms on a wine label when selecting your next 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 are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Celebrating Women Winemakers
Aug
4
6:00 PM18:00

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Celebrating Women Winemakers

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from some incredible women winemakers that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from around the world made by women who are at the topping of the lists for making incredible wines.

  • Find out what makes each featured European 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Pacific Northwest
Aug
9
3:00 PM15:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Pacific Northwest

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from the diverse wine regions of The United State’s Pacific Northwest that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • 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 favorite wines we’ve discovered lately.

  • Discover classic and emerging wines, varieties, and styles 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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Spain
Aug
9
6:00 PM18:00

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Spain

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: California
Aug
10
12:00 PM12:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: California

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 California wine regions that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from the diverse regions of California, such as Central Coast, Napa, Mendocino, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Santa Rita Hills, Sonoma, etc.

  • Find out what makes each California 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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: South Africa
Aug
10
3:00 PM15:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: South Africa

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Sicily
Aug
10
6:00 PM18:00

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Sicily

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine + Fresh Maine Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine
Aug
11
12:00 PM12:00

Wine + Fresh Maine Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE & OYSTER SAIL!

You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through Maine’s beautiful Casco Bay with scenic views of lighthouses, islands, and waterways … all while indulging in an incredible selection of five wines paired with fresh Maine oysters. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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. It does not get much better than this.

  • Taste and learn about five delicious wines that pair great with fresh Maine oysters.

  • 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. You are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations of any kind.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Amber, Orange + Rosé Wines
Aug
11
3:00 PM15:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Amber, Orange + Rosé Wines

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality amber, orange, and rosé wines from around the world that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious amber, orange, and rosé wines from around the world that you’ll love

  • Find out how color in wines occurs and what information can be assessed from a wine’s color.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: France
Aug
11
6:00 PM18:00

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: France

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 France; such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire Valley, Savoie, Rhone Valley, etc.

  • Find out what makes each French 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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: European Whites
Aug
16
3:00 PM15:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: European Whites

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 mineral-driven European white wines that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious white wines from Europe’s classic and up-and-coming wine regions in countries such as Austria, Croatia, France, Italy, Greece, Slovenia, Spain, etc.

  • Discover classic and emerging white wine regions, grape varieties, and wine-making styles that deliver these kinds of wines.

  • Discuss the major and emerging 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Mediterranean
Aug
16
6:00 PM18:00

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Mediterranean

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality reds from countries and wine regions around The Mediterranean that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious wines from all around The Mediterranean from countries such as Greece, Mediterranean France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Lebanon, etc.

  • Discover some incredible gems, emerging and classic, that you’ll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Learn a few things to expect from wines made in these Mediterranean countries and climates.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine + Fresh Maine Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine
Aug
17
12:00 PM12:00

Wine + Fresh Maine Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE & OYSTER SAIL!

You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through Maine’s beautiful Casco Bay with scenic views of lighthouses, islands, and waterways … all while indulging in an incredible selection of five wines paired with fresh Maine oysters. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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. It does not get much better than this.

  • Taste and learn about five delicious wines that pair great with fresh Maine oysters

  • 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. You are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations of any kind.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Greece
Aug
17
3:00 PM15:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Greece

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Tuscany
Aug
17
6:00 PM18:00

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Tuscany

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 renowned wine sub-regions of Tuscany, Italy, that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about five delicious wines from Tuscany, such as Carmignano, Chianti Classico, Montalcino, Maremma, San Gimignano, etc.

  • Find out what makes Tuscany’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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Chef Series Wine + Food Sail with Chefs Sansonetti + Lopez
Aug
18
12:00 PM12:00

Chef Series Wine + Food Sail with Chefs Sansonetti + Lopez

Must be 21 years of age or older.

WINE & CHEF SAILS ARE BACK!

If these are not the best thing going on in Portland in the 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.

Today two James Beard Nominated and Finalist Chefs, Damian Sansonetti and Ilma Lopez Co-Owners of Chaval and The Ugly Duckling, come on board to prepare five delicious courses inspired by the produce of local Maine farmers, harvesters, and purveyors, created to pair with five delicious wines.

You're in for an incredible wine, food, and sailing experience as you sail through Maine’s pristine Casco Bay with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste. And no doubt, you will taste and learn a lot about the incredible food Chefs Sansonetti and Lopz have prepared for you.

We recommend getting your tickets soon if you’d like to join us. These events sell out quickly!

Menu TBA
The menu will be available close to the date of the event as the chefs take inspiration from only the freshest local ingredients. Due to the nature of this event, we regret that we cannot accommodate food substitutions.

Your Chefs

Chef Damian Sansonetti, a Pittsburgh native, grew up exploring fresh, local ingredients, making pasta with his grandmothers, curing meats with his grandfather, and assisting his father in the family kitchen. 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. Training rigorously under Chef Olivier Muller, Sansonetti became chef de banquet at Daniel and then sous chef under Jean Francois Bruel. Promoted to executive chef of Bar Boulud in 2008, Sansonetti was named a 2009 StarChefs.com Rising Star and, in 2022, a finalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef, Northeast. Now ensconced in the burgeoning food scene of Portland, Maine, Sansonetti’s partnered with his wife, Pastry Chef Ilma Lopez (a 2014 StarChefs.com Rising Star Pastry Chef and nominated in 2018 for a James Beard Award as Outstanding Pastry Chef), to open their Italian fine dining restaurant Piccolo and in 2017 Chaval. 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious European Wines
Aug
18
3:00 PM15:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious European Wines

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from wine-renowned European countries that you'll love to have in your repertoire

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from Europe’s classic and up-and-coming wine regions in countries such as Austria, Croatia, France, Italy, Georgia, Greece, Slovenia, Spain, etc.

  • Find out what makes each featured European 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Piedmont, Italy
Aug
18
6:00 PM18:00

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Piedmont, Italy

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from the diverse wine regions of Italy’s renowned Piedmont region that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious wines from Piedmont, Italy that you’ll thoroughly while sailing and seeing in the sight on the coast of Maine and love having in your repertoire.

  • Discover classic and emerging wines, varieties, and styles found in the Piedmont region.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Pinot Noir
Aug
23
3:00 PM15:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Pinot Noir

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 five delicious quality Pinot Noir wines from renowned regions of the world that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about five beautiful Pinot Noirs from regions such as Burgundy, Carneros, Santa Rita Hills, Russian River Valley, Germany, The Loire, Central Otago, New Zeland, etc...

  • Find out what makes each Pinot Noir wine region unique in the styles of wine they produce

  • Discuss the major and trending 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Pacific Northwest
Aug
23
6:00 PM18:00

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Pacific Northwest

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from the diverse wine regions of The United State’s Pacific Northwest that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • 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 favorite wines we’ve discovered lately.

  • Discover classic and emerging wines, varieties, and styles 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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Rosé
Aug
24
12:00 PM12:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Rosé

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality rosé wines from around the world that you'll love to have in your repertoire. These wines are diverse, delicious, perfect for summer, and adored by wine newbies and connoisseurs.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious rosé wines from around the world that you’ll absolutely love

  • Find out how color in wines occurs and what information can be assessed from a wine’s color.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: European Whites
Aug
24
3:00 PM15:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: European Whites

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 mineral-driven European white wines that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious white wines from Europe’s classic and up-and-coming wine regions in countries such as Austria, Croatia, France, Italy, Greece, Slovenia, Spain, etc.

  • Discover classic and emerging white wine regions, grape varieties, and wine-making styles that deliver these kinds of wines.

  • Discuss the major and emerging 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Mediterranean
Aug
24
6:00 PM18:00

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Mediterranean

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality reds from countries and wine regions around The Mediterranean that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious wines from all around The Mediterranean from countries such as Greece, Mediterranean France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Lebanon, etc.

  • Discover some incredible gems, emerging and classic, that you’ll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Learn a few things to expect from wines made in these Mediterranean countries and climates.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Wine Club Delivery
Aug
28
10:00 AM10:00

Wine Club Delivery

WINE WISE WINE CLUB

A Sommelier-Curated Wine Club for Portland + Surrounding Communities

Wine Club Members, it’s the last Wednesday of the month which means your club wines will be delivered today. We can’t wait for you to experience them. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Accept the Delivery. Someone at least 21 years old must be present with a valid ID to accept the delivery.

Recycle Your Tote with us: Your wine will be packed in an eco-friendly cardboard tote. Please return it to us for reuse.

Make the Most of Your Wine: Enjoy our tasting notes, serving, and food pairing suggestions to enhance your wine experience.


Not a Wine Club member yet?

We’d love to have you. Discover hard-to-come-by limited production wines that are handpicked by a trusted source, convenient monthly deliveries, and access to member-only perks and events.

We offer several distinct membership plans. Choose the one that is right for you depending on how many bottles of our sommelier-curated wines you’d like delivered each month, the perks you'd like to experience, and if you want tasting notes and food pairing advice or a monthly custom selection.

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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: France
Aug
30
3:00 PM15:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: France

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 France; such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire Valley, Savoie, Rhone Valley, etc.

  • Find out what makes each French 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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Sparkling Wines
Aug
30
6:00 PM18:00

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Sparkling Wines

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 sparkling wines from diverse wine regions and styles from around the world that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • 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 are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine + Fresh Maine Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine
Aug
31
12:00 PM12:00

Wine + Fresh Maine Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE & OYSTER SAIL!

You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through Maine’s beautiful Casco Bay with scenic views of lighthouses, islands, and waterways … all while indulging in an incredible selection of five wines paired with fresh Maine oysters. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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. It does not get much better than this.

  • Taste and learn about five delicious wines that pair great with fresh Maine oysters.

  • 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. You are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations of any kind.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Portugal + Spain
Aug
31
3:00 PM15:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Portugal + Spain

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 Spain that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from Iberian Portugal + Spain as we explore indigenous grape varieties grown in varying climates, elevations, terrain, and classic and emerging wines and styles.

  • Find out what makes each wine region unique in the styles of wine they produce

  • Discuss the major and emerging Portuguese and 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious European Wines
Aug
31
6:00 PM18:00

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious European Wines

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from wine-renowned European countries that you'll love to have in your repertoire

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from Europe’s classic and up-and-coming wine regions in countries such as Austria, Croatia, France, Italy, Georgia, Greece, Slovenia, Spain, etc.

  • Find out what makes each featured European 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Wine + Fresh Maine Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine
Sep
1
12:00 PM12:00

Wine + Fresh Maine Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE & OYSTER SAIL!

You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through Maine’s beautiful Casco Bay with scenic views of lighthouses, islands, and waterways … all while indulging in an incredible selection of five wines paired with fresh Maine oysters. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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. It does not get much better than this.

  • Taste and learn about five delicious wines that pair great with fresh Maine oysters.

  • 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. You are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations of any kind.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Spain
Sep
1
2:00 PM14:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Spain

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Napa + Sonoma
Sep
1
4:45 PM16:45

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Napa + Sonoma

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 Napa & Sonoma, California, that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from the renowned and diverse sub-regions within Napa & Sonoma.

  • Find out what makes each of the Napa and Sonoma wine regions 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 are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious Whites
Sep
6
4:45 PM16:45

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious Whites

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 white wines from around the world that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious white wines you’ll thoroughly enjoy and love to have in your repertoire.

  • Discover classic and emerging white wine regions, varieties, and styles.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: South Africa
Sep
7
1:30 PM13:30

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: South Africa

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious European Wines
Sep
7
4:45 PM16:45

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious European Wines

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from wine-renowned European countries that you'll love to have in your repertoire

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from Europe’s classic and up-and-coming wine regions in countries such as Austria, Croatia, France, Italy, Georgia, Greece, Slovenia, Spain, etc.

  • Find out what makes each featured European 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Chef Series Wine + Food Sail with Chefs Sansonetti + Lopez
Sep
8
11:00 AM11:00

Chef Series Wine + Food Sail with Chefs Sansonetti + Lopez

Must be 21 years of age or older.

WINE & CHEF SAILS ARE BACK!

If these are not the best thing going on in Portland in the 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.

Today two James Beard Nominated and Finalist Chefs, Damian Sansonetti and Ilma Lopez Co-Owners of Chaval and The Ugly Duckling, come on board to prepare five delicious courses inspired by the produce of local Maine farmers, harvesters, and purveyors, created to pair with five delicious wines.

You're in for an incredible wine, food, and sailing experience as you sail through Maine’s pristine Casco Bay with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste. And no doubt, you will taste and learn a lot about the incredible food Chefs Sansonetti and Lopz have prepared for you.

We recommend getting your tickets soon if you’d like to join us. These events sell out quickly!

Menu TBA
The menu will be available close to the date of the event as the chefs take inspiration from only the freshest local ingredients. Due to the nature of this event, we regret that we cannot accommodate food substitutions.

Your Chefs

Chef Damian Sansonetti, a Pittsburgh native, grew up exploring fresh, local ingredients, making pasta with his grandmothers, curing meats with his grandfather, and assisting his father in the family kitchen. 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. Training rigorously under Chef Olivier Muller, Sansonetti became chef de banquet at Daniel and then sous chef under Jean Francois Bruel. Promoted to executive chef of Bar Boulud in 2008, Sansonetti was named a 2009 StarChefs.com Rising Star and, in 2022, a finalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef, Northeast. Now ensconced in the burgeoning food scene of Portland, Maine, Sansonetti’s partnered with his wife, Pastry Chef Ilma Lopez (a 2014 StarChefs.com Rising Star Pastry Chef and nominated in 2018 for a James Beard Award as Outstanding Pastry Chef), to open their Italian fine dining restaurant Piccolo and in 2017 Chaval. 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Greece
Sep
8
2:00 PM14:00

Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Greece

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Mediterranean
Sep
8
4:45 PM16:45

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Mediterranean

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality reds from countries and wine regions around The Mediterranean that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious wines from all around The Mediterranean from countries such as Greece, Mediterranean France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Lebanon, etc.

  • Discover some incredible gems, emerging and classic, that you’ll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Learn a few things to expect from wines made in these Mediterranean countries and climates.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Italian Wine Sail Weekend | Chef Series Sunset Wine & Food Sail with Chef Paolo ​Laboa of Solo Italiano
Sep
13
4:45 PM16:45

Italian Wine Sail Weekend | Chef Series Sunset Wine & Food Sail with Chef Paolo ​Laboa of Solo Italiano

Must be 21 years of age or older.

This event is part of Portland Wine Week, June 10-16, 2024

Part of our Italian Wine Sail Weekend! Each of our six wine sails taking place September 13-15, will focus on a different Italian region or style of wines. We hope to see you there!

WINE & CHEF SAILS ARE BACK!

If these are not the best thing going on in Portland in the 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 to join us to help us kick off our Portland Wine Week schedule!

You’ll be joining Sommelier Erica Archer of Wine Wise and Chef Paolo Laboa of Solo Italiano for a gorgeous scenic wine sail on board the 74-foot sailboat, Frances, built by her Captains and crew on Portland's waterfront. You’ll sail and sip five incredibly delicious Italian wines that you'll love to have in your repertoire ... each paired with tastes of Italy prepared for you by Executive Chef Paolo Laboa, a native of Genoa, Italy. 

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 while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with 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 learn a lot about Italian food and local Maine produce from Paolo.

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.

  • Taste and learn about Italian wines that you'll love to have in your repertoire each paired with incredible food from Chef Laboa, five wines, and food pairings in all.

  • Find out what makes each region unique in the styles of wine they produce

  • Learn about the fresh Maine produce and authentic Italian ingredients chef uses in each dish

  • Discuss the major Italian grape varieties and regions—classic and up-and-coming contenders 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

The menu will be available close to the date of the event as chef takes his inspiration from only the freshest local ingredients. Due to the nature of this event, we regret that we cannot accommodate food substitutions.

Your Chef
Paolo Laboa’s journey started in his mother's kitchen, where he learned the secrets of real Genovese cooking, the pinnacle of Northern Italian cuisine. Every ingredient Chef Paolo touches is fresh from the farm and sea to his kitchen to your table. Some of his favorite farms are Stonecipher Farm, Dandelion Springs Farm, Valley Farm, Olivia’s Garden for greens, vegetables, basil, and herbs, and Northspore for foraged mushrooms. Fresh fish is brought in each day through Upstream, Harbor Fish Market, or Browne Trading Co. Also sourcing other proteins like wild rabbit from Sumner Valley Farm and lamb and pork from Two Cove Farm, while dairy comes from a variety of these local farmers. “Cooking is what I love and I want each ingredient to sing. Simplicity is my goal. If there are five ingredients, I want you to taste all five of them.” Bread and pasta are all made in-house from scratch using traditional Genovese recipes. “It is very important–the food that you eat,” says Laboa.

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, and 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 sense of humor and down-to-earth style.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). The signage from the road is not so great. Casco Bay Lines is right there as well. You'll walk down the paved road to the pier with the Whale Wall on your left and the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal on your right. Keep walking onto the Maine State Pier (past gate 5 of the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal). On the pier, to the right, you will see two sheds for two sailing companies. Please wait by the Maine Sailing Adventures/Frances shed.

What else?

  1. Please put your Wine Sail in your calendar to arrive before the boarding time. 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.

  3. Please forward our Get Ready for Your Wine Sail page to everyone attending with you so that everyone is adequately prepared and on time... or early!! 

  4. We receive many of the same questions very frequently. 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.

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


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Italian Wine Sail Weekend in Portland, Maine: Italian Reds
Sep
14
1:30 PM13:30

Italian Wine Sail Weekend in Portland, Maine: Italian Reds

Must be 21 years of age or older.

Part of our Italian Wine Sail Weekend! Each of our six wine sails taking place September 13-15, will focus on a different Italian region or style of wines. We hope to see you there!

Must be 21 years of age or older.

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality reds from Italy.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious red wines from Italy—including some incredible gems from the stellar vintages and emerging and classic varieties and regions that you’ll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Learn a few things to expect from wines made in these Italian regions and grape varieties.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Italian Wine Sail Weekend! Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Sicily
Sep
14
4:45 PM16:45

Italian Wine Sail Weekend! Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Sicily

Must be 21 years of age or older.

Part of our Italian Wine Sail Weekend! Each of our six wine sails taking place September 13-15, will focus on a different Italian region or style of wines. We hope to see you there!

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Italian Wine Sail Weekend! Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Tuscany
Sep
15
11:00 AM11:00

Italian Wine Sail Weekend! Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Tuscany

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

Part of our Italian Wine Sail Weekend! Each of our six wine sails taking place September 13-15, will focus on a different Italian region or style of wines. We hope to see you there!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 renowned wine sub-regions of Tuscany, Italy, that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about five delicious wines from Tuscany, such as Carmignano, Chianti Classico, Montalcino, Maremma, San Gimignano, etc.

  • Find out what makes Tuscany’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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Italian Wine Sail Weekend! Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Italian Whites
Sep
15
2:00 PM14:00

Italian Wine Sail Weekend! Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Italian Whites

Must be 21 years of age or older.

Part of our Italian Wine Sail Weekend! Each of our six wine sails taking place September 13-15, will focus on a different Italian region or style of wines. We hope to see you there!

Must be 21 years of age or older.

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality white wines from Italy.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious white wines from Italy—including some incredible gems from the stellar vintages and emerging and classic varieties and regions that you’ll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Learn a few things to expect from wines made in these Italian regions and grape varieties.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Italian Wine Weekend! Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Piedmont, Italy
Sep
15
4:45 PM16:45

Italian Wine Weekend! Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Piedmont, Italy

Must be 21 years of age or older.

Part of our Italian Wine Sail Weekend! Each of our six wine sails taking place September 13-15, will focus on a different Italian region or style of wines. We hope to see you there!

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from the diverse wine regions of Italy’s renowned Piedmont region that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious wines from Piedmont, Italy that you’ll thoroughly while sailing and seeing in the sight on the coast of Maine and love having in your repertoire.

  • Discover classic and emerging wines, varieties, and styles found in the Piedmont region.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Pacific Northwest
Sep
20
4:45 PM16:45

Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Pacific Northwest

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from the diverse wine regions of The United State’s Pacific Northwest that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • 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 favorite wines we’ve discovered lately.

  • Discover classic and emerging wines, varieties, and styles 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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Fall Foliage Wine + Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine
Sep
21
1:30 PM13:30

Fall Foliage Wine + Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE & OYSTER SAIL!

You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through beautiful Casco Bay in Maine’s most colorful season with scenic views of lighthouses, islands, and waterways … all while indulging in an incredible selection of five wines paired with fresh Maine oysters. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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. It does not get much better than this.

  • Taste and learn about five delicious wines that pair great with fresh Maine oysters

  • 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. You are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations of any kind.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Pinot Noir
Sep
21
4:45 PM16:45

Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Pinot Noir

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 five delicious quality Pinot Noir wines from renowned regions of the world that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about five beautiful Pinot Noirs from regions such as Burgundy, Carneros, Santa Rita Hills, Russian River Valley, Germany, The Loire, Central Otago, New Zeland, etc...

  • Find out what makes each Pinot Noir wine region unique in the styles of wine they produce

  • Discuss the major and trending 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Chef Series Wine + Food Sail with Chefs Sansonetti + Lopez
Sep
22
11:00 AM11:00

Chef Series Wine + Food Sail with Chefs Sansonetti + Lopez

Must be 21 years of age or older.

WINE & CHEF SAILS ARE BACK!

If these are not the best thing going on in Portland in the 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.

Today two James Beard Nominated and Finalist Chefs, Damian Sansonetti and Ilma Lopez Co-Owners of Chaval and The Ugly Duckling, come on board to prepare five delicious courses inspired by the produce of local Maine farmers, harvesters, and purveyors, created to pair with five delicious wines.

You're in for an incredible wine, food, and sailing experience as you sail through Maine’s pristine Casco Bay with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste. And no doubt, you will taste and learn a lot about the incredible food Chefs Sansonetti and Lopz have prepared for you.

We recommend getting your tickets soon if you’d like to join us. These events sell out quickly!

Menu TBA
The menu will be available close to the date of the event as the chefs take inspiration from only the freshest local ingredients. Due to the nature of this event, we regret that we cannot accommodate food substitutions.

Your Chefs

Chef Damian Sansonetti, a Pittsburgh native, grew up exploring fresh, local ingredients, making pasta with his grandmothers, curing meats with his grandfather, and assisting his father in the family kitchen. 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. Training rigorously under Chef Olivier Muller, Sansonetti became chef de banquet at Daniel and then sous chef under Jean Francois Bruel. Promoted to executive chef of Bar Boulud in 2008, Sansonetti was named a 2009 StarChefs.com Rising Star and, in 2022, a finalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef, Northeast. Now ensconced in the burgeoning food scene of Portland, Maine, Sansonetti’s partnered with his wife, Pastry Chef Ilma Lopez (a 2014 StarChefs.com Rising Star Pastry Chef and nominated in 2018 for a James Beard Award as Outstanding Pastry Chef), to open their Italian fine dining restaurant Piccolo and in 2017 Chaval. 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Fall Foliage Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Loire Valley
Sep
22
2:00 PM14:00

Fall Foliage Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Loire Valley

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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, all while indulging in a wine class! You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 some incredibly delicious quality wines from France's renowned Loire Valley that you'll love to have in your repertoire. These wines are diverse, delicious, perfect for summer, and adored by wine newbies and connoisseurs.

  • Taste and learn about these delicious wines that you'll be thrilled to have in your repertoire

  • Find out what makes each region and sub-region unique in the styles of wine they produce

  • Discuss the major grape varieties and some up-and-coming contenders worthy of your attention

  • Learn what to expect from certain terms on a wine label when selecting your next 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 are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: France
Sep
22
4:45 PM16:45

Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: France

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 France; such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire Valley, Savoie, Rhone Valley, etc.

  • Find out what makes each French 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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Wine Club Delivery
Sep
25
10:00 AM10:00

Wine Club Delivery

WINE WISE WINE CLUB

A Sommelier-Curated Wine Club for Portland + Surrounding Communities

Wine Club Members, it’s the last Wednesday of the month which means your club wines will be delivered today. We can’t wait for you to experience them. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Accept the Delivery. Someone at least 21 years old must be present with a valid ID to accept the delivery.

Recycle Your Tote with us: Your wine will be packed in an eco-friendly cardboard tote. Please return it to us for reuse.

Make the Most of Your Wine: Enjoy our tasting notes, serving, and food pairing suggestions to enhance your wine experience.


Not a Wine Club member yet?

We’d love to have you. Discover hard-to-come-by limited production wines that are handpicked by a trusted source, convenient monthly deliveries, and access to member-only perks and events.

We offer several distinct membership plans. Choose the one that is right for you depending on how many bottles of our sommelier-curated wines you’d like delivered each month, the perks you'd like to experience, and if you want tasting notes and food pairing advice or a monthly custom selection.

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Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Cabernet Sauvignon
Sep
27
4:45 PM16:45

Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Cabernet Sauvignon

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through beautiful Casco Bay, in Maine’s most colorful season, with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways, and fall foliage colors in the backdrop … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality Cabernet Sauvignon wines from renowned regions of the world that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about five beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon from around the world.

  • Find out what makes each Cabernet Sauvignon-producing wine region unique in the styles of wine they produce

  • Discuss the major and trending 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Fall Foliage Wine + Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine
Sep
28
1:30 PM13:30

Fall Foliage Wine + Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE & OYSTER SAIL!

You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through beautiful Casco Bay in Maine’s most colorful season with scenic views of lighthouses, islands, and waterways … all while indulging in an incredible selection of five wines paired with fresh Maine oysters. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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. It does not get much better than this.

  • Taste and learn about five delicious wines that pair great with fresh Maine oysters.

  • 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. You are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations of any kind.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: France
Sep
28
4:45 PM16:45

Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: France

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through Maine’s beautiful Casco Bay, in Maine’s most colorful season, with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways, and the fall colors of the leaves in the background … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 France; such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire Valley, Savoie, Rhone Valley, etc.

  • Find out what makes each French 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 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Italian Reds
Oct
4
3:00 PM15:00

Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Italian Reds

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality reds from Italy.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious red wines from Italy—including some incredible gems from the stellar vintages and emerging and classic varieties and regions that you’ll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Learn a few things to expect from wines made in these Italian regions and grape varieties.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Napa + Sonoma
Oct
5
3:00 PM15:00

Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Napa + Sonoma

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 Napa & Sonoma, California, that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from the renowned and diverse sub-regions within Napa & Sonoma.

  • Find out what makes each of the Napa and Sonoma wine regions 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 are welcome to bring your own snack if you have food allergies or hesitations.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Chef Series Wine + Food Sail with Chefs Sansonetti + Lopez
Oct
6
12:00 PM12:00

Chef Series Wine + Food Sail with Chefs Sansonetti + Lopez

Must be 21 years of age or older.

WINE & CHEF SAILS ARE BACK!

If these are not the best thing going on in Portland in the 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.

Today two James Beard Nominated and Finalist Chefs, Damian Sansonetti and Ilma Lopez Co-Owners of Chaval and The Ugly Duckling, come on board to prepare five delicious courses inspired by the produce of local Maine farmers, harvesters, and purveyors, created to pair with five delicious wines.

You're in for an incredible wine, food, and sailing experience as you sail through Maine’s pristine Casco Bay with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste. And no doubt, you will taste and learn a lot about the incredible food Chefs Sansonetti and Lopz have prepared for you.

We recommend getting your tickets soon if you’d like to join us. These events sell out quickly!

Menu TBA
The menu will be available close to the date of the event as the chefs take inspiration from only the freshest local ingredients. Due to the nature of this event, we regret that we cannot accommodate food substitutions.

Your Chefs

Chef Damian Sansonetti, a Pittsburgh native, grew up exploring fresh, local ingredients, making pasta with his grandmothers, curing meats with his grandfather, and assisting his father in the family kitchen. 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. Training rigorously under Chef Olivier Muller, Sansonetti became chef de banquet at Daniel and then sous chef under Jean Francois Bruel. Promoted to executive chef of Bar Boulud in 2008, Sansonetti was named a 2009 StarChefs.com Rising Star and, in 2022, a finalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef, Northeast. Now ensconced in the burgeoning food scene of Portland, Maine, Sansonetti’s partnered with his wife, Pastry Chef Ilma Lopez (a 2014 StarChefs.com Rising Star Pastry Chef and nominated in 2018 for a James Beard Award as Outstanding Pastry Chef), to open their Italian fine dining restaurant Piccolo and in 2017 Chaval. 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Piedmont, Italy
Oct
6
3:00 PM15:00

Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Piedmont, Italy

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from the diverse wine regions of Italy’s renowned Piedmont region that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious wines from Piedmont, Italy that you’ll thoroughly while sailing and seeing in the sight on the coast of Maine and love having in your repertoire.

  • Discover classic and emerging wines, varieties, and styles found in the Piedmont region.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious European Wines
Oct
11
3:00 PM15:00

Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious European Wines

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, and gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from wine-renowned European countries that you'll love to have in your repertoire

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from Europe’s classic and up-and-coming wine regions in countries such as Austria, Croatia, France, Italy, Georgia, Greece, Slovenia, Spain, etc.

  • Find out what makes each featured European 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


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Fall Foliage Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Italy
Oct
12
12:00 PM12:00

Fall Foliage Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Italy

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 renowned wine regions of Italy that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from Italy, such as Alto Adige, Friuli, Liguria, Piedmont, Sicily, Sardinia, Tuscany, Umbria, Veneto, etc.

  • Find out what makes Italy’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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Fall Foliage Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Mediterranean
Oct
13
12:00 PM12:00

Fall Foliage Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Mediterranean

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

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 … all while indulging in a wine class. 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, pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality reds from countries and wine regions around The Mediterranean that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious wines from all around The Mediterranean from countries such as Greece, Mediterranean France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Lebanon, etc.

  • Discover some incredible gems, emerging and classic, that you’ll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Learn a few things to expect from wines made in these Mediterranean countries and climates.

  • 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.

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, and 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 sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event.

What else?
Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions that you may be wondering about.


View Event →
Wine Club Delivery
Oct
30
10:00 AM10:00

Wine Club Delivery

WINE WISE WINE CLUB

A Sommelier-Curated Wine Club for Portland + Surrounding Communities

Wine Club Members, it’s the last Wednesday of the month which means your club wines will be delivered today. We can’t wait for you to experience them. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Accept the Delivery. Someone at least 21 years old must be present with a valid ID to accept the delivery.

Recycle Your Tote with us: Your wine will be packed in an eco-friendly cardboard tote. Please return it to us for reuse.

Make the Most of Your Wine: Enjoy our tasting notes, serving, and food pairing suggestions to enhance your wine experience.


Not a Wine Club member yet?

We’d love to have you. Discover hard-to-come-by limited production wines that are handpicked by a trusted source, convenient monthly deliveries, and access to member-only perks and events.

We offer several distinct membership plans. Choose the one that is right for you depending on how many bottles of our sommelier-curated wines you’d like delivered each month, the perks you'd like to experience, and if you want tasting notes and food pairing advice or a monthly custom selection.

View Event →
Wine Club Delivery
Nov
27
9:00 AM09:00

Wine Club Delivery

WINE WISE WINE CLUB

A Sommelier-Curated Wine Club for Portland + Surrounding Communities

Wine Club Members, it’s the last Wednesday of the month which means your club wines will be delivered today. We can’t wait for you to experience them. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Accept the Delivery. Someone at least 21 years old must be present with a valid ID to accept the delivery.

Recycle Your Tote with us: Your wine will be packed in an eco-friendly cardboard tote. Please return it to us for reuse.

Make the Most of Your Wine: Enjoy our tasting notes, serving, and food pairing suggestions to enhance your wine experience.


Not a Wine Club member yet?

We’d love to have you. Discover hard-to-come-by limited production wines that are handpicked by a trusted source, convenient monthly deliveries, and access to member-only perks and events.

We offer several distinct membership plans. Choose the one that is right for you depending on how many bottles of our sommelier-curated wines you’d like delivered each month, the perks you'd like to experience, and if you want tasting notes and food pairing advice or a monthly custom selection.

View Event →
Wine Club Delivery
Dec
23
9:00 AM09:00

Wine Club Delivery

WINE WISE WINE CLUB

A Sommelier-Curated Wine Club for Portland + Surrounding Communities

Wine Club Members, it’s the last Wednesday of the month which means your club wines will be delivered today. We can’t wait for you to experience them. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Accept the Delivery. Someone at least 21 years old must be present with a valid ID to accept the delivery.

Recycle Your Tote with us: Your wine will be packed in an eco-friendly cardboard tote. Please return it to us for reuse.

Make the Most of Your Wine: Enjoy our tasting notes, serving, and food pairing suggestions to enhance your wine experience.


Not a Wine Club member yet?

We’d love to have you. Discover hard-to-come-by limited production wines that are handpicked by a trusted source, convenient monthly deliveries, and access to member-only perks and events.

We offer several distinct membership plans. Choose the one that is right for you depending on how many bottles of our sommelier-curated wines you’d like delivered each month, the perks you'd like to experience, and if you want tasting notes and food pairing advice or a monthly custom selection.

View Event →
Small Group Trip to Tuscany + Cinque Terre Extension
May
4
to May 14

Small Group Trip to Tuscany + Cinque Terre Extension

2 SPACES LEFT

You’ll be joining Sommelier Erica Archer on a 7-night small-group trip to Tuscany, May 4 - 11, with exclusive visits to some of the best wineries, magnificent wines, restaurants, art, and architecture that Tuscany has to offer. We’ve also included an optional extension to Cinque Terre, May 11 - 14. Space is limited, and our small-group trips do fill up quickly. If you think you’d like to join us, we do advise booking early. Read below to learn more about the incredible trip we have planned!

Join Us in Tuscany 2025

With Sommelier Erica Archer as your guide, you’ll have exclusive access to private tours, premium wine tastings, and exclusive experiences at some of the most exclusive wineries in the region.  You can’t beat the perks of having Erica as your guide—day after day of access to superb wineries, incredible wines, and glorious culinary experiences—you are in for an incredible trip.

This will be our sixth Small-Group Wine Region trip to Tuscany. Past trips have filled quickly. Do not delay in making your reservation for this trip if you’d like to join us.


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, and 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.


Trip Details

Must be 21 years of age or older.

PRICE:
€8,379.00 (Euro) per person, double occupancy

YOUR TRIP INCLUDES:
7-nights accommodation
All hotel taxes
All ground transportation during the trip
Continental breakfasts daily
Welcome night wine reception
Four wine lunches
Four wine dinners
Meal taxes & gratuities
All scheduled wine tastings
Erica Archer as your professional tour guide
All admissions per itinerary
All sightseeing per itinerary

DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Airfare or travel to and from Tuscany and our starting hotel location.
Some meals are on your own. These are arranged around free time to explore the picturesque Italian villas.
Cinque Terre excursion is priced separately at €2,900 (Euro) per person, double occupancy.


CONDITIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
This trip is guaranteed departure based on 8 attendees.

RESERVATIONS:
To reserve your trip please submit your deposit of $3,000 per person for the Tuscany trip + $1000 per person for the Cinque Terre extension. Contact Erica Archer at Wine Wise with any questions: erica.archer@winewiseevents.com, 207-619-4630. The remaining balance is due January 1, 2025.

CANCELLATIONS:
If you must cancel your trip reservation with us before 1/1/2025 there will be a $500.00 per person cancellation fee. There are no refunds after 1/1/2025 if we cannot fill your spots. We strongly urge you to consider taking travel insurance to help cover any unforeseen circumstances that may arise. For insurance information, please visit InsureMyTrip.

RESPONSIBILITY:
Wine Wise and Erica Archer accept no responsibility for any delayed departures or arrivals, missed connections, loss, damage, or injury to persons or property. We are not responsible for any extra costs incurred for required covid testing and accommodations if you test positive and cannot leave the country until you are able to test negative. We reserve the right to change the itinerary and substitute arrangements of any equal value if circumstances warrant a change.

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Greek Wine Dinner at Falmouth Country Club
Apr
19
6:00 PM18:00

Greek Wine Dinner at Falmouth Country Club

** Wine Wise customers are invited to attend even if they are not members. Price is inclusive of a seat for one person, the above-mentioned food and beverage, tax, and service. **

Join Sommelier Erica Archer and Executive Chef Tim Labonte at the beautiful Falmouth Country Club dining room, for a delicious four-course dinner highlighting the fresh spring produce of Maine farmers and fisheries, prepared in a traditional Greek style, paired with four delicious Greek wines. You can expect some succulent spring peas, morels, and lamb. Many more details will be forthcoming.

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, and 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 and sense of humor.

View Event →
Wine Club Delivery
Mar
27
10:00 AM10:00

Wine Club Delivery

WINE WISE WINE CLUB

A Sommelier-Curated Wine Club for
Portland + Surrounding Communities

Wine Club Members, it’s the last Wednesday of the month which means your club wines will be delivered today. We can’t wait for you to experience them. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Accept the Delivery. Someone at least 21 years old must be present with a valid ID to accept the delivery.

Recycle Your Tote with us: Your wine will be packed in an eco-friendly cardboard tote. Please return it to us for reuse.

Make the Most of Your Wine: Enjoy our tasting notes, serving, and food pairing suggestions to enhance your wine experience.


Not a Wine Club member yet?

We’d love to have you. Discover hard-to-come-by limited production wines that are handpicked by a trusted source, convenient monthly deliveries, and access to member-only perks and events.

We offer several distinct membership plans. Choose the one that is right for you depending on how many bottles of our sommelier-curated wines you’d like delivered each month, the perks you'd like to experience, and if you want tasting notes and food pairing advice or a monthly custom selection.

View Event →
Bourbon Tasting at Falmouth Country Club
Mar
7
6:00 PM18:00

Bourbon Tasting at Falmouth Country Club

** Wine Wise customers are invited to attend even if they are not members. Price is inclusive of a seat for one person, the above-mentioned food and beverage, tax, and service. **

Join us for a delicious evening of a side-by-side tasting of fine Bourbons at private Falmouth Country Club. Sommelier Erica Archer will host the evening and lead us in a discussion of key considerations in assessing quality attributes of fine bourbon. And as usual — there will likely be a highly-allocated “bonus-round” Bourbon to cap off the night. This is part of a series of Borbon tastings at FCC - each one will showcase a different line-up of Bourbons … accompanied by Executive Chef Time Labonte’s delicious charcuterie boards.

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, and 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 and sense of humor.

View Event →
Wine Club Delivery
Feb
28
10:00 AM10:00

Wine Club Delivery

WINE WISE WINE CLUB

A Sommelier-Curated Wine Club for Portland + Surrounding Communities

Wine Club Members, it’s the last Wednesday of the month which means your club wines will be delivered today. We can’t wait for you to experience them. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Accept the Delivery. Someone at least 21 years old must be present with a valid ID to accept the delivery.

Recycle Your Tote with us: Your wine will be packed in an eco-friendly cardboard tote. Please return it to us for reuse.

Make the Most of Your Wine: Enjoy our tasting notes, serving, and food pairing suggestions to enhance your wine experience.


Not a Wine Club member yet?

We’d love to have you. Discover hard-to-come-by limited production wines that are handpicked by a trusted source, convenient monthly deliveries, and access to member-only perks and events.

We offer several distinct membership plans. Choose the one that is right for you depending on how many bottles of our sommelier-curated wines you’d like delivered each month, the perks you'd like to experience, and if you want tasting notes and food pairing advice or a monthly custom selection.

View Event →
Wine Club 6-Bottle Members Semi-Annual Soirée
Feb
3
6:00 PM18:00

Wine Club 6-Bottle Members Semi-Annual Soirée

  • Falmouth, ME, 04105 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Tonight’s the night! Our Semi-Annual Wine Club Soiree for 6-bottle Wine Club members with six-month membership July-December. It will be a delicious evening of delicious food, great wine (of course), and great people. We’ll have some industry pals joining us to partake in the festivities, feed you great food, and pour you great wine.

If you are not a Wine Club member yet, January is the perfect time to join at the 6-bottle level which has extra semi-annual perks with each six-month semi-annual membership (January-June and July-December), including:

  • First access to Portland Wine Week Grand Opening Women in Wine Dinner Tickets

  • A Semi-Annual Soirée at Portland Wine Week

  • A Semi-Annual Winter Soirée

  • Semi-Annual gifts to accentuate your wine program at home

As a Wine Wine Wise Club member, we want you to feel part of something special. See all the perks for 3-bottle and 6-bottle members on the Wine Club page.

 
 
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Wine Club Delivery
Jan
31
10:00 AM10:00

Wine Club Delivery

WINE WISE WINE CLUB

A Sommelier-Curated Wine Club for Portland + Surrounding Communities

Wine Club Members, it’s the last Wednesday of the month which means your club wines will be delivered today. We can’t wait for you to experience them. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Accept the Delivery. Someone at least 21 years old must be present with a valid ID to accept the delivery.

Recycle Your Tote with us: Your wine will be packed in an eco-friendly cardboard tote. Please return it to us for reuse.

Make the Most of Your Wine: Enjoy our tasting notes, serving, and food pairing suggestions to enhance your wine experience.


Not a Wine Club member yet?

We’d love to have you. Discover hard-to-come-by limited production wines that are handpicked by a trusted source, convenient monthly deliveries, and access to member-only perks and events.

We offer several distinct membership plans. Choose the one that is right for you depending on how many bottles of our sommelier-curated wines you’d like delivered each month, the perks you'd like to experience, and if you want tasting notes and food pairing advice or a monthly custom selection.

View Event →
Virtual Wine Dinner with Chef Sansonetti of Chaval: Maine x Mediterranean Land & Sea
Jan
27
6:00 PM18:00

Virtual Wine Dinner with Chef Sansonetti of Chaval: Maine x Mediterranean Land & Sea

Join Sommelier Erica Archer and James Beard, Finalist, Best Chef Northeast, Chef Damian Sansonetti, Co-Owner of Chaval, for a delicious Virtual Wine Dinner centered on the cuisine and wines of The Mediterranean. All enjoyed from the comforts of home and the help of technology. And we’re delivering it all to your door on the afternoon of the event. 1-3 hours before our event, you’ll receive your dinner-for-two box containing your wine and food with easy instructions to reheat for our 6 pm start.

This is part of a series of Virtual Wine Dinners with Sansonetti and Archer since 2020, and perhaps we will have a guest appearance from Chef Ilma Lopez). Tonight Chef Sansonetti is bringing The Mediterranean to Maine using the produce of local Maine farmers, fishermen, harvesters, and purveyors, and we’ll pair it with beautiful wines from regions around The Mediterranean. We can’t wait to enjoy this incredible meal with you.

Menu:

First course
Maine bean hummus
Maine grains rye pitas
Olive oil & dulse 

Second course
Bouillabaisse
Maine monkfish
Clams & mussels
Braised fennel & potato
Olive oil garlic smoked tomato broth

Third course
Pork tagine
Pistachios
Charred onions
Apricots and drunken dates
Toasted cous cous

Dessert
by Chef Ilma Lopez TBA

Featured Wines:

  • 2022 Domaine Suffrine, Bandol Rosé, France

  • 2018 Parparoussis, “Taos”, Achaia, Greece

Due to the nature of this event, we regret that we cannot accommodate food substitutions.

We are excited to have you join us as we gather online from the comforts of home to discuss the featured wines and food pairings, create community, and support small businesses and local purveyors.

Price is all-inclusive of your wine-dinner-for-two, 2 bottles of wine, tax, service, download materials, event experience, and delivery. “Seating” is limited to 15 deliveries in the Greater Portland area, which includes Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland Foreside, Falmouth, Gorham, Old Orchard Beach, Portland, Scarborough, South Portland, and Westbrook.

Tell us about delivery.
We’ll deliver your box of goodies between 3:00-5:00 pm on the event day. You’ll need to be over 21 years of age with a valid ID to accept delivery.

Live outside of our Greater Portland delivery area? No problem. You may meet us for contactless curbside pick-up at Chaval at 3:00. Please make sure to put a note in the comments section at checkout that you’ll do curbside at Chaval at 3:00 sharp (we need to leave on time to make out delivery rounds and get back to our post in time).

For delivery and curbside, you can rest assured that we are exceeding all requirements for your safety and the safety of our teams in preparing, pick-up, and delivering.

Chef Damian Sansonetti, a Pittsburgh native, grew up exploring fresh, local ingredients, making pasta with his grandmothers, curing meats with his grandfather, and assisting his father in the family kitchen. 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. Training rigorously under Chef Olivier Muller, Sansonetti became chef de banquet at Daniel and then sous chef under Jean Francois Bruel. Promoted to executive chef of Bar Boulud in 2008, Sansonetti was named a 2009 StarChefs.com Rising Star and, in 2022, a finalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef, Northeast. Now ensconced in the burgeoning food scene of Portland, Maine, Sansonetti’s partnered with his wife, Pastry Chef Ilma Lopez (a 2014 StarChefs.com Rising Star Pastry Chef and nominated in 2018 for a James Beard Award as Outstanding Pastry Chef), to open their Italian fine dining restaurant Piccolo and in 2017 Chaval.

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 twice semi-finalist James Beard “Best Pastry Chef” (national), and you may have seen her name in an issue of Bon Appetit Magazine highlighting her incredible talents when naming Portland, Maine as their pick for ‘Restaurant City of The Year’. Their new restaurant, The Ugly Duckling, will open in early 2023.

Sommelier Erica Archer is a Maine native and 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, and 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 and sense of humor.

Where do we meet?
On your computer screen at 6 pm on the day of the event. You’ll download the Zoom app and access our event through a link that we will send you.

What do we need?
Set your dinner table with a fork, knife, spoon, napkin, water, and a wine glass per person. You’ll also need a corkscrew, an ice bucket if you want to keep your wine chilled, the downloaded materials for this event, and a computer with internet access, sound, and video capability. Be sure to download the ZOOM app before this event, as that is the platform we will be using so that we can all see and hear each other.

Cancellations/Reschedules/No Shows
Because of our size and the need to purchase the wine and food to accommodate the number of tickets sold, we will be able to refund you only if we can re-sell your tickets (minus the $20.00 credit card transactions we have to pay) OR reschedule you to a different event (there is no credit card transaction fee in this case). There are no refunds or reschedules for no-shows or if we cannot resell your tickets. Makes sense, right?

View Event →
Bourbon Tasting at Falmouth Country Club
Jan
25
6:00 PM18:00

Bourbon Tasting at Falmouth Country Club

Bourbon tastings at Falmouth Country Club are back for the 2024 Winter season for Falmouth Country Club members and their guests! Join us for a delicious evening of a side-by-side tasting of fine Bourbons. Sommelier Erica Archer will host the evening and lead us in a tasting of five quality Bourbons and a discussion of key considerations in assessing the quality attributes of fine Bourbon. There will likely be a highly allocated “bonus-round” sixth Bourbon to cap off the night. This is part of a series of Borbon tastings at FCC - each one will showcase a different line-up of Bourbons … accompanied by delicious charcuterie boards. Please reach Falmouth Country Club directly to secure your seats.

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, and 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 and sense of humor.

View Event →
Wine Club Delivery
Dec
20
10:00 AM10:00

Wine Club Delivery

WINE WISE WINE CLUB

A Sommelier-Curated Wine Club for
Portland + Surrounding Communities

Wine Club Members, it’s the last Wednesday of the month which means your club wines will be delivered today. We can’t wait for you to experience them. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Accept the Delivery. Someone at least 21 years old must be present with a valid ID to accept the delivery.

Recycle Your Tote with us: Your wine will be packed in an eco-friendly cardboard tote. Please return it to us for reuse.

Make the Most of Your Wine: Enjoy our tasting notes, serving, and food pairing suggestions to enhance your wine experience.


Not a Wine Club member yet?

We’d love to have you. Discover hard-to-come-by limited production wines that are handpicked by a trusted source, convenient monthly deliveries, and access to member-only perks and events.

We offer several distinct membership plans. Choose the one that is right for you depending on how many bottles of our sommelier-curated wines you’d like delivered each month, the perks you'd like to experience, and if you want tasting notes and food pairing advice or a monthly custom selection.

View Event →
Wine Club Delivery
Nov
20
10:00 AM10:00

Wine Club Delivery

WINE WISE WINE CLUB

A Sommelier-Curated Wine Club for
Portland + Surrounding Communities

Wine Club Members, it’s the last Wednesday of the month which means your club wines will be delivered today. We can’t wait for you to experience them. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Accept the Delivery. Someone at least 21 years old must be present with a valid ID to accept the delivery.

Recycle Your Tote with us: Your wine will be packed in an eco-friendly cardboard tote. Please return it to us for reuse.

Make the Most of Your Wine: Enjoy our tasting notes, serving, and food pairing suggestions to enhance your wine experience.


Not a Wine Club member yet?

We’d love to have you. Discover hard-to-come-by limited production wines that are handpicked by a trusted source, convenient monthly deliveries, and access to member-only perks and events.

We offer several distinct membership plans. Choose the one that is right for you depending on how many bottles of our sommelier-curated wines you’d like delivered each month, the perks you'd like to experience, and if you want tasting notes and food pairing advice or a monthly custom selection.

View Event →
Elevated Thanksgiving Wines Available
Nov
1
7:00 AM07:00

Elevated Thanksgiving Wines Available

Elevated Thanksgiving Wines that Support Maine's Wine Businesses 6-Bottle Set

This Thanksgiving, there is a convenient and compelling way to support local businesses in Maine: Wine. This set is available through local delivery.*

This holiday, we at Wine Wise are proud to connect you with small wine businesses in Maine that have long served Mainers by creating a wine scene that is incredibly diverse, quality-driven, and community-centric. These wines are passionately made by quality-focused small producers and chosen by the people who represent them, in the state of Maine, specifically for your Thanksgiving table. When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, choosing the right bottle of wine can be tricky. From heavy sides like mashed potatoes to bitter cranberry sauce for your traditional poultry main or even your vegan-friendly Turducken, it’s important to select a wine that is versatile enough to work with the wide array of flavors on your dinner plate and has the structure to hold up to the richness of it all. With this challenge in mind, we reached out to local wine distributors in Maine—who travel the world to hand-select unique and finely-crafted wines—to see what they’re serving during their Thanksgiving feasts. Why? We’re here to make it easy and compelling to buy wine locally, to support these local businesses and the Maine people they employ. Because their wines are great, and who doesn’t want to drink great wine?

For the fourth year in a row, we’ve packaged their combined six-bottle Elevated Thanksgiving Wine Selection into one convenient purchase. They’re all packed up in our beautiful totes and ready for delivery.* Read about these fabulous people and the wines they’ve selected for their Thanksgiving table and yours. And place your order for delivery today!*


Delivery is by Wine Wise—not third-party carriers. Our delivery area is Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland Foreside, Falmouth, Gorham, Old Orchard Beach, Portland, Saco, Scarborough, South Portland, and Westbrook. We have a larger delivery area for Wine Club deliveries.

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Global Champagne Day! Grower Champagnes 6-Bottle Set
Oct
26
7:00 AM07:00

Global Champagne Day! Grower Champagnes 6-Bottle Set

Elevated Grower Champagne 6-bottle Selection

Who wouldn't want these fantastic Grower Champagnes delivered to their door?* Be sure to get one for yourself and others for gift-giving. Hurry there are only limited quantities available of these boutique, delicious, and hard-to-come-by wines.

It’s the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, and no one is hustling harder than small businesses. We encourage a huge wave of support for small businesses during this holiday season. The reward is immeasurable. Let’s face it; the product is usually so much better!

This holiday season we’re happy to put forth our annual Grower Champagne 6-bottle set. What makes this Champagne set so special? Historically, most Champagnes have been made by large houses that buy most of their grapes from growers—who do not have the capabilities (nor sometimes desire) to make their own Champagne. But there is an increasing effort by many grower estates to invest in making their own cuvées that reflect their distinct vineyards and style. And we’re here to say that these wines are very special, in high demand, and we could not think of a better way to share the holiday spirit with a selection of six hard-to-come-by Grower Champagne and deliver them to you in one incredible 6-bottle set.


Delivery is by Wine Wise—not third-party carriers. Our delivery area is Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland Foreside, Falmouth, Gorham, Old Orchard Beach, Portland, Saco, Scarborough, South Portland, and Westbrook. We have a larger delivery area for Wine Club deliveries.

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Wine Club Delivery
Oct
25
10:00 AM10:00

Wine Club Delivery

WINE WISE WINE CLUB

A Sommelier-Curated Wine Club for
Portland + Surrounding Communities

Wine Club Members, it’s the last Wednesday of the month which means your club wines will be delivered today. We can’t wait for you to experience them. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Accept the Delivery. Someone at least 21 years old must be present with a valid ID to accept the delivery.

Recycle Your Tote with us: Your wine will be packed in an eco-friendly cardboard tote. Please return it to us for reuse.

Make the Most of Your Wine: Enjoy our tasting notes, serving, and food pairing suggestions to enhance your wine experience.


Not a Wine Club member yet?

We’d love to have you. Discover hard-to-come-by limited production wines that are handpicked by a trusted source, convenient monthly deliveries, and access to member-only perks and events.

We offer several distinct membership plans. Choose the one that is right for you depending on how many bottles of our sommelier-curated wines you’d like delivered each month, the perks you'd like to experience, and if you want tasting notes and food pairing advice or a monthly custom selection.

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Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious European Wines
Oct
22
3:00 PM15:00

Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Delicious European Wines

  • Maine State Pier Portland, ME, 04101 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through beautiful Casco Bay, in Maine’s most colorful season, with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways, and fall foliage colors in the backdrop … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality wines from wine-renowned European countries that you'll love to have in your repertoire

  • Taste and learn about some delicious wines from Europe’s incredible classic and up-and-coming wine regions.

  • Find out what makes each featured European 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.

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 sense of humor and down-to-earth style.

Where do we meet?

Here is the location on Google Maps. We are sailing on the beautiful Frances at Maine Sailing Adventures, located on the Maine State Pier at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). The signage from the road is not so great. Casco Bay Lines is right there as well. You'll walk down the paved road to the pier with the Whale Wall on your left and the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal on your right. Keep walking onto the Maine State Pier (past gate 5 of the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal). On the pier, to the right, you will see two sheds for two sailing companies. Please wait by the Maine Sailing Adventures/Frances shed.

What else?

  1. Please put your Wine Sail in your calendar to arrive before the boarding time. 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.

  3. Please forward our Get Ready for Your Wine Sail page to everyone attending with you so that everyone is adequately prepared and on time... or early!!

  4. We receive many of the same questions very frequently. 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.

CANCELLATIONS/RESCHEDULES/NO SHOWS

Because of our size, cancellations affect us significantly. It’s not always possible that we can see your correspondence on the days we have events as we have our attention entirely on our events that day. If you are able to reach us, and we can re-sell your tickets, we can refund your ticket price minus the $20.00 per ticket credit card transactions we have to pay OR reschedule you to a different date with availability (there is no credit card transaction fee in this case). You are always welcome to send a friend or family member in your place or sell your own tickets. Just make sure we have the ticket holder's email address so we can send them the event notifications, so they are aware of where to find us, and any day-of weather-related notifications. There are no refunds or reschedules for no-shows or if we cannot resell your tickets. Makes sense, right?


View Event →
Chef Series: Fall Foliage Italian Wine & Food Sail with Chef Nick Bianco of Tipo
Oct
22
12:00 PM12:00

Chef Series: Fall Foliage Italian Wine & Food Sail with Chef Nick Bianco of Tipo

Must be 21 years of age or older.

Must be 21 years of age or older.

WINE & CHEF SAILS ARE BACK!

And Chef Nick Bianco is back! After his hugely delicious Sicilian Wine Sail in August, we invited him back to help us close out our season with an Italian Wine & Food Sail. If these are not the best thing going on in Portland this season, 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.

Join us and Chef de Cuisine Nick Bianco of Tipo as he comes on board to showcase his love and talents for Italian food. Tipo’s traditional and non-traditional takes on Italian food are bursting with flavor will be on full display. He’s also one of the featured Chefs in the Portland Wine Week Grand Opening Dinner and was kind enough to share his recipe for his delicious Fennel and Winter Citrus Salad with us for our wine club members. We can’t wait to eat more of his delicious food with fine wine in hand while sailing in pristine Casco Bay.

You're in for incredible wine, food, and sailing experience as you sail through Maine’s pristine Casco Bay with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste. And no doubt, you will taste and learn a lot about the incredible food from Chef Bianco has prepared for you.

We recommend getting your tickets soon if you’d like to join us. These events sell out quickly!

Menu TBA

Due to the nature of this event, we regret that we cannot accommodate food substitutions.

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 sense of humor.

The menu will be available close to the date of the event as Chef takes his inspiration from only the freshest local ingredients. Due to the nature of this event, we regret that we cannot accommodate food substitutions.

WHERE DO WE MEET?
We depart from the Maine State Pier, located at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). You’ll receive a more detailed email a few days before your event. Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to questions you may be wondering about.

CANCELLATIONS/RESCHEDULES/NO SHOWS
Because of our size, cancellations affect us significantly. If we are able to re-sell your tickets, we can refund your ticket price minus the $20.00 credit card transactions we have to pay OR reschedule you to a different date that has availability (there is no credit card transaction fee in this case). You are always welcome to send a friend or family member in your place or sell your own tickets. Just make sure we have the ticket holder's email address so we can send them the event notifications, so they are aware of where to find us, and any day-of weather-related notifications. There are no refunds or reschedules for no-shows or if we are not able to resell your tickets. Makes sense, right?

Here is the location on Google Maps. We are sailing on the beautiful Frances at Maine Sailing Adventures, located on the Maine State Pier at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). The signage from the road is not so great. Casco Bay Lines is right there as well. You'll walk down the paved road to the pier with the Whale Wall on your left and the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal on your right. Keep walking onto the Maine State Pier (past gate 5 of the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal). On the pier, to the right, you will see two sheds for two sailing companies. Please wait by the Maine Sailing Adventures/Frances shed.

What else?

  1. Please put your Wine Sail in your calendar to arrive before the boarding time. 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.

  3. Please forward our Get Ready for Your Wine Sail page to everyone attending with you so that everyone is adequately prepared and on time... or early!! 

  4. We receive many of the same questions very frequently. 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.

CANCELLATIONS/RESCHEDULES/NO SHOWS

Because of our size, cancellations affect us significantly. It’s not always possible that we can see your correspondence on the days we have events as we have our attention entirely on our events that day. If you are able to reach us, and we can re-sell your tickets, we can refund your ticket price minus the $20.00 per ticket credit card transactions we have to pay OR reschedule you to a different date with availability (there is no credit card transaction fee in this case). You are always welcome to send a friend or family member in your place or sell your own tickets. Just make sure we have the ticket holder's email address so we can send them the event notifications, so they are aware of where to find us, and any day-of weather-related notifications. There are no refunds or reschedules for no-shows or if we cannot resell your tickets. Makes sense, right?


View Event →
Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Italian Reds
Oct
21
3:00 PM15:00

Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Italian Reds

  • Maine State Pier Portland, ME, 04101 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through beautiful Casco Bay, in Maine’s most colorful season, with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways, and fall foliage colors in the backdrop … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality reds from Italy.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious red wines from Italy—including some incredible gems from the stellar vintages and emerging and classic varieties and regions that you’ll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Learn a few things to expect from wines made in these Italian regions and grape varieties.

  • 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.

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 sense of humor and down-to-earth style.

Where do we meet?

Here is the location on Google Maps. We are sailing on the beautiful Frances at Maine Sailing Adventures, located on the Maine State Pier at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). The signage from the road is not so great. Casco Bay Lines is right there as well. You'll walk down the paved road to the pier with the Whale Wall on your left and the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal on your right. Keep walking onto the Maine State Pier (past gate 5 of the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal). On the pier, to the right, you will see two sheds for two sailing companies. Please wait by the Maine Sailing Adventures/Frances shed.

What else?

  1. Please put your Wine Sail in your calendar to arrive before the boarding time. 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.

  3. Please forward our Get Ready for Your Wine Sail page to everyone attending with you so that everyone is adequately prepared and on time... or early!!

  4. We receive many of the same questions very frequently. 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.

CANCELLATIONS/RESCHEDULES/NO SHOWS

Because of our size, cancellations affect us significantly. It’s not always possible that we can see your correspondence on the days we have events as we have our attention entirely on our events that day. If you are able to reach us, and we can re-sell your tickets, we can refund your ticket price minus the $20.00 per ticket credit card transactions we have to pay OR reschedule you to a different date with availability (there is no credit card transaction fee in this case). You are always welcome to send a friend or family member in your place or sell your own tickets. Just make sure we have the ticket holder's email address so we can send them the event notifications, so they are aware of where to find us, and any day-of weather-related notifications. There are no refunds or reschedules for no-shows or if we cannot resell your tickets. Makes sense, right?


View Event →
Fall Foliage Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Greece
Oct
21
12:00 PM12:00

Fall Foliage Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Greece

  • Maine State Pier Portland, ME, 04101 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through beautiful Casco Bay, in Maine’s most colorful season, with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways, and fall foliage colors in the backdrop … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 renowned wine regions of Italy 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.

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 sense of humor and down-to-earth style.

Where do we meet?

Here is the location on Google Maps. We are sailing on the beautiful Frances at Maine Sailing Adventures, located on the Maine State Pier at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). The signage from the road is not so great. Casco Bay Lines is right there as well. You'll walk down the paved road to the pier with the Whale Wall on your left and the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal on your right. Keep walking onto the Maine State Pier (past gate 5 of the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal). On the pier, to the right, you will see two sheds for two sailing companies. Please wait by the Maine Sailing Adventures/Frances shed.

What else?

  1. Please put your Wine Sail in your calendar to arrive before the boarding time. 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.

  3. Please forward our Get Ready for Your Wine Sail page to everyone attending with you so that everyone is adequately prepared and on time... or early!!

  4. We receive many of the same questions very frequently. 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.

CANCELLATIONS/RESCHEDULES/NO SHOWS

Because of our size, cancellations affect us significantly. It’s not always possible that we can see your correspondence on the days we have events as we have our attention entirely on our events that day. If you are able to reach us, and we can re-sell your tickets, we can refund your ticket price minus the $20.00 per ticket credit card transactions we have to pay OR reschedule you to a different date with availability (there is no credit card transaction fee in this case). You are always welcome to send a friend or family member in your place or sell your own tickets. Just make sure we have the ticket holder's email address so we can send them the event notifications, so they are aware of where to find us, and any day-of weather-related notifications. There are no refunds or reschedules for no-shows or if we cannot resell your tickets. Makes sense, right?


View Event →
Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Mediterranean
Oct
20
3:00 PM15:00

Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Mediterranean

  • Maine State Pier Portland, ME, 04101 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through beautiful Casco Bay, in Maine’s most colorful season, with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways, and fall foliage colors in the backdrop … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality reds from countries and wine regions around The Mediterranean that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious wines from all around The Mediterranean from countries such as Greece, Mediterranean France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Lebanon, etc.

  • Discover some incredible gems, emerging and classic, that you’ll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Learn a few things to expect from wines made in these Mediterranean counties and climates.

  • 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.

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 sense of humor and down-to-earth style.

Where do we meet?

Here is the location on Google Maps. We are sailing on the beautiful Frances at Maine Sailing Adventures, located on the Maine State Pier at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). The signage from the road is not so great. Casco Bay Lines is right there as well. You'll walk down the paved road to the pier with the Whale Wall on your left and the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal on your right. Keep walking onto the Maine State Pier (past gate 5 of the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal). On the pier, to the right, you will see two sheds for two sailing companies. Please wait by the Maine Sailing Adventures/Frances shed.

What else?

  1. Please put your Wine Sail in your calendar to arrive before the boarding time. 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.

  3. Please forward our Get Ready for Your Wine Sail page to everyone attending with you so that everyone is adequately prepared and on time... or early!!

  4. We receive many of the same questions very frequently. 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.

CANCELLATIONS/RESCHEDULES/NO SHOWS

Because of our size, cancellations affect us significantly. It’s not always possible that we can see your correspondence on the days we have events as we have our attention entirely on our events that day. If you are able to reach us, and we can re-sell your tickets, we can refund your ticket price minus the $20.00 per ticket credit card transactions we have to pay OR reschedule you to a different date with availability (there is no credit card transaction fee in this case). You are always welcome to send a friend or family member in your place or sell your own tickets. Just make sure we have the ticket holder's email address so we can send them the event notifications, so they are aware of where to find us, and any day-of weather-related notifications. There are no refunds or reschedules for no-shows or if we cannot resell your tickets. Makes sense, right?


View Event →
Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: French Reds
Oct
15
3:00 PM15:00

Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: French Reds

  • Maine State Pier Portland, ME, 04101 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Must be 21 years of age or older.

You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through beautiful Casco Bay, in Maine’s most colorful season, with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways, and fall foliage colors in the backdrop … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality reds from France.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious red wines from France—including some incredible gems from the stellar vintages and emerging and classic varieties and regions that you’ll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Learn a few things to expect from wines made in these French regions and grape varieties.

  • 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.

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 sense of humor and down-to-earth style.

Where do we meet?

Here is the location on Google Maps. We are sailing on the beautiful Frances at Maine Sailing Adventures, located on the Maine State Pier at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). The signage from the road is not so great. Casco Bay Lines is right there as well. You'll walk down the paved road to the pier with the Whale Wall on your left and the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal on your right. Keep walking onto the Maine State Pier (past gate 5 of the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal). On the pier, to the right, you will see two sheds for two sailing companies. Please wait by the Maine Sailing Adventures/Frances shed.

What else?

  1. Please put your Wine Sail in your calendar to arrive before the boarding time. 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.

  3. Please forward our Get Ready for Your Wine Sail page to everyone attending with you so that everyone is adequately prepared and on time... or early!!

  4. We receive many of the same questions very frequently. 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.

CANCELLATIONS/RESCHEDULES/NO SHOWS

Because of our size, cancellations affect us significantly. It’s not always possible that we can see your correspondence on the days we have events as we have our attention entirely on our events that day. If you are able to reach us, and we can re-sell your tickets, we can refund your ticket price minus the $20.00 per ticket credit card transactions we have to pay OR reschedule you to a different date with availability (there is no credit card transaction fee in this case). You are always welcome to send a friend or family member in your place or sell your own tickets. Just make sure we have the ticket holder's email address so we can send them the event notifications, so they are aware of where to find us, and any day-of weather-related notifications. There are no refunds or reschedules for no-shows or if we cannot resell your tickets. Makes sense, right?


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Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Tuscany
Oct
14
3:00 PM15:00

Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: Tuscany

  • Maine State Pier Portland, ME, 04101 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Must be 21 years of age or older.

You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through beautiful Casco Bay, in Maine’s most colorful season, with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways, and fall foliage colors in the backdrop … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 renowned wine regions of Italy that you'll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Taste and learn about five delicious wines from Tuscany, such as Carmignano, Chianti Classico, Montalcino, Maremma, San Gimignano, etc.

  • Find out what makes Tuscany’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.

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 sense of humor and down-to-earth style.

Where do we meet?

Here is the location on Google Maps. We are sailing on the beautiful Frances at Maine Sailing Adventures, located on the Maine State Pier at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). The signage from the road is not so great. Casco Bay Lines is right there as well. You'll walk down the paved road to the pier with the Whale Wall on your left and the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal on your right. Keep walking onto the Maine State Pier (past gate 5 of the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal). On the pier, to the right, you will see two sheds for two sailing companies. Please wait by the Maine Sailing Adventures/Frances shed.

What else?

  1. Please put your Wine Sail in your calendar to arrive before the boarding time. 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.

  3. Please forward our Get Ready for Your Wine Sail page to everyone attending with you so that everyone is adequately prepared and on time... or early!!

  4. We receive many of the same questions very frequently. 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.

CANCELLATIONS/RESCHEDULES/NO SHOWS

Because of our size, cancellations affect us significantly. It’s not always possible that we can see your correspondence on the days we have events as we have our attention entirely on our events that day. If you are able to reach us, and we can re-sell your tickets, we can refund your ticket price minus the $20.00 per ticket credit card transactions we have to pay OR reschedule you to a different date with availability (there is no credit card transaction fee in this case). You are always welcome to send a friend or family member in your place or sell your own tickets. Just make sure we have the ticket holder's email address so we can send them the event notifications, so they are aware of where to find us, and any day-of weather-related notifications. There are no refunds or reschedules for no-shows or if we cannot resell your tickets. Makes sense, right?


View Event →
Fall Foliage Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Loire Valley
Oct
14
12:00 PM12:00

Fall Foliage Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: The Loire Valley

  • Maine State Pier Portland, ME, 04101 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through beautiful Casco Bay, in Maine’s most colorful season, with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways, and fall foliage colors in the backdrop … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select, and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 some incredibly delicious quality wines from France's renowned Loire Valley that you'll love to have in your repertoire. These wines are diverse, delicious, perfect for summer, and adored by wine newbies and connoisseurs.

  • Taste and learn about these delicious wines that you'll be thrilled to have in your repertoire

  • Find out what makes each region and sub-region unique in the styles of wine they produce

  • Discuss the major grape varieties and some up-and-coming contenders worthy of your attention

  • Learn what to expect from certain terms on a wine label when selecting your next 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.

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 sense of humor and down-to-earth style.

Where do we meet?

Here is the location on Google Maps. We are sailing on the beautiful Frances at Maine Sailing Adventures, located on the Maine State Pier at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). The signage from the road is not so great. Casco Bay Lines is right there as well. You'll walk down the paved road to the pier with the Whale Wall on your left and the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal on your right. Keep walking onto the Maine State Pier (past gate 5 of the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal). On the pier, to the right, you will see two sheds for two sailing companies. Please wait by the Maine Sailing Adventures/Frances shed.

What else?

  1. Please put your Wine Sail in your calendar to arrive before the boarding time. 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.

  3. Please forward our Get Ready for Your Wine Sail page to everyone attending with you so that everyone is adequately prepared and on time... or early!!

  4. We receive many of the same questions very frequently. 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.

CANCELLATIONS/RESCHEDULES/NO SHOWS

Because of our size, cancellations affect us significantly. It’s not always possible that we can see your correspondence on the days we have events as we have our attention entirely on our events that day. If you are able to reach us, and we can re-sell your tickets, we can refund your ticket price minus the $20.00 per ticket credit card transactions we have to pay OR reschedule you to a different date with availability (there is no credit card transaction fee in this case). You are always welcome to send a friend or family member in your place or sell your own tickets. Just make sure we have the ticket holder's email address so we can send them the event notifications, so they are aware of where to find us, and any day-of weather-related notifications. There are no refunds or reschedules for no-shows or if we cannot resell your tickets. Makes sense, right?


View Event →
Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: California Reds
Oct
13
3:00 PM15:00

Fall Foliage Sunset Wine Sail in Portland, Maine: California Reds

  • Maine State Pier Portland, ME, 04101 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE SAIL!

You're in for an incredible wine education experience as you sail through beautiful Casco Bay, in Maine’s most colorful season, with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways, and fall foliage colors in the backdrop … all while indulging in a wine class. You'll walk away knowing a lot about wine, how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste.

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 five delicious quality reds from California.

  • Taste and learn about a series of five delicious red wines from California—including some incredible gems from the stellar vintages and emerging and classic varieties and regions that you’ll love to have in your repertoire.

  • Learn a few things to expect from wines made in these California regions and grape varieties.

  • 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.

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 sense of humor and down-to-earth style.

Where do we meet?

Here is the location on Google Maps. We are sailing on the beautiful Frances at Maine Sailing Adventures, located on the Maine State Pier at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). The signage from the road is not so great. Casco Bay Lines is right there as well. You'll walk down the paved road to the pier with the Whale Wall on your left and the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal on your right. Keep walking onto the Maine State Pier (past gate 5 of the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal). On the pier, to the right, you will see two sheds for two sailing companies. Please wait by the Maine Sailing Adventures/Frances shed.

What else?

  1. Please put your Wine Sail in your calendar to arrive before the boarding time. 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.

  3. Please forward our Get Ready for Your Wine Sail page to everyone attending with you so that everyone is adequately prepared and on time... or early!!

  4. We receive many of the same questions very frequently. 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.

CANCELLATIONS/RESCHEDULES/NO SHOWS

Because of our size, cancellations affect us significantly. It’s not always possible that we can see your correspondence on the days we have events as we have our attention entirely on our events that day. If you are able to reach us, and we can re-sell your tickets, we can refund your ticket price minus the $20.00 per ticket credit card transactions we have to pay OR reschedule you to a different date with availability (there is no credit card transaction fee in this case). You are always welcome to send a friend or family member in your place or sell your own tickets. Just make sure we have the ticket holder's email address so we can send them the event notifications, so they are aware of where to find us, and any day-of weather-related notifications. There are no refunds or reschedules for no-shows or if we cannot resell your tickets. Makes sense, right?


View Event →
Fall Foliage Sunset Champagne + Fresh Maine Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine
Oct
8
3:45 PM15:45

Fall Foliage Sunset Champagne + Fresh Maine Oysters Sail in Portland, Maine

  • Maine State Pier Portland, ME, 04101 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Must be 21 years of age or older.

LET’S GO ON A WINE & OYSTER SAIL!

Join us for our last Wine Sail of the year, in Maine’s most colorful season with a decadent line-up of five Champagnes each paired with fresh-shucked Maine oysters. You're in for an incredible experience as you sail through Maine’s beautiful Casco Bay with scenic views of Maine lighthouses, islands, and waterways, with gorgeous fall foliage colors as the backdrop… all while indulging in a wine class. Champagnes in hand and fresh Maine oysters shucked right on board. You'll walk away with knowing a lot about delicious wines that pair well with fresh oysters; how regional influences impact wine styles and quality, gain confidence knowing how to evaluate, select and pair wines, and describe what you smell and taste .. and a selection of oysters from the coast of Maine.

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. It does not get much better than this.

  • Taste and learn about five delicious Champagnes that pair great with fresh Maine oysters. 

  • Find out what makes Champagne a good match for fresh oysters

  • Taste and learn about different houses and styles of Champagne that you'll love to know about

  • Find out what makes each Champagne unique from other sparkling wines

  • Discuss major Champagne wine styles, grape varieties, methods of production, producer trends, and more

  • Learn what to expect from certain terms on a Champagne wine label when selecting your next Champagne

  • Learn the basics of tasting or take your wine knowledge to the next level

  • Enjoy a selection of fresh Maine oysters that are shucked right on board the Frances

  • Learn from the oyster experts about the variety of oysters available here in Maine

  • We are serving five wines and plenty of oysters. 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. 

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 sense of humor and down-to-earth style.

Where do we meet?

Here is the location on Google Maps. We are sailing on the beautiful Frances at Maine Sailing Adventures, located on the Maine State Pier at 56 Commercial Street (where Commercial Street meets Franklin Street). The signage from the road is not so great. Casco Bay Lines is right there as well. You'll walk down the paved road to the pier with the Whale Wall on your left and the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal on your right. Keep walking onto the Maine State Pier (past gate 5 of the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal). On the pier, to the right, you will see two sheds for two sailing companies. Please wait by the Maine Sailing Adventures/Frances shed.

What else?

  1. Please put your Wine Sail in your calendar to arrive before the boarding time. 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.

  3. Please forward our Get Ready for Your Wine Sail page to everyone attending with you so that everyone is adequately prepared and on time... or early!!

  4. We receive many of the same questions very frequently. 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.

CANCELLATIONS/RESCHEDULES/NO SHOWS

Because of our size, cancellations affect us significantly. It’s not always possible that we can see your correspondence on the days we have events as we have our attention entirely on our events that day. If you are able to reach us, and we can re-sell your tickets, we can refund your ticket price minus the $20.00 per ticket credit card transactions we have to pay OR reschedule you to a different date with availability (there is no credit card transaction fee in this case). You are always welcome to send a friend or family member in your place or sell your own tickets. Just make sure we have the ticket holder's email address so we can send them the event notifications, so they are aware of where to find us, and any day-of weather-related notifications. There are no refunds or reschedules for no-shows or if we cannot resell your tickets. Makes sense, right?


View Event →