Did I just find my new favorite wine shop in Maine? Possibly... Located in the middle of nowhere…read more(at least for those that aren't from here), Black Sheep Wine Shop was such a wholesome find during our drive to Bailey's Island. Black Sheep felt like a little store out of a movie -- small, welcoming, cozy, and with lots and lots of wines (as well as ciders!). We walked in and the owner quickly made us feel welcomed. He gave us wine recommendations based on our taste profile, and I can now report back and say that we ended up liking all the wines he suggested. I also loved the presentation of the wines. Each wine had a little label, handwritten with notes -- the flavors, what it paired well with, where it came from, etc. Oh -- and they had a special section for local bottles. They also divided the wines by price, and that was helpful, too! Price transparency when it comes to alcohol is huge for me. All of these little touches made it beyond easy (and enjoyable) to choose a bottle (or 5).

Cute little wine shop with a great selection of domestic and international wines and beer. Also…read moresome delicious locally made chocolate treats and other gift items. The owner was very sweet. Definitely worth a visit if you love wine!

What's not to love about The Vault? It is the most well stocked craft beer and wine shop in the…read morearea and parking is usually available on street outside. When I say the most well stocked, I'm talking about Foundation, Bissell Brothers, Lawson's Finest Liquids, Liquid Riot, you name it and they probably have it. Great sour beer selection as well! They offer Fiore olive oils and vinegars that are available for tasting. As far as wine goes, I can tell you they have a ton to offer and also have some chilled. They have specialty tea, chocolates and coffee too. Incredibly friendly, helpful staff and great prices.

Since I'm not a "how many racks of Bud Light can I buy"-the cheapest kind of girl, I prefer to get…read moremy wine and beer at smaller, more intimate places that are run by folks who are passionate about what they do. That's EXACTLY what you'll find at The Vault, which is such a wonderful, gem in the Lewiston/Auburn area. The owner, Susan, and her staff not only appreciate good wine and beer themselves, but they're incredibly knowledgable about it too. When it comes to my libations, I don't want to be (up)sold on whatever product needs to be moved out. I want to have intelligent conversation with educated folks on what they suggest, why, and have them make recommendations to me about what I might like after I tell them (and they listen with open ears) what it is I personally prefer. And that's part of what The Vault folks offer; they take the time out to get to know you (whether you're a regular or just passing through) so that your experience at their store each and every time you go in is tailored completely around you in that moment and not around whatever retail agenda that might have. Locally craft beers? They do that. Budget-friendly wines? They do that, too. And now they're offering flavorful and unique balsamic vinegars and olive oils, too for both samples and purchasing (although downing a shooter of olive oil is frowned up... The Vault is classier than your average beer and wine store, so don't be one of "those people" [*ahem* like myself] who rolls in and starts taking shots of EVOO like it's going out of style). If you're in the area - even if you're not - and you're looking for something specific, you should talk to Susan and her team. If they can't help you, they'll be able to find someone who can! Also, The Vault frequently hosts wine and beer tastings (something I'm an avid believer in - it's a great way to discover new beverages without spending an exorbitant amount of money on something you may not end up liking), so be sure to check that out as well!

Came in around 3:50pm on a Thursday. Not very crowded. Nice industrial tasting room. It was a very…read morehot day and inside was warm too... Tried the stouts - stuffed - yum and robin - yummy too (12%abv) Our server was really friendly too. Would like to return when it's a little cooler.

This brewery has so many sours, which automatically puts it high up in my book. The key lime and…read morewhoopee pie sours were delicious. You can do flights, but they don't have the little paddles they normally come on. There is a food truck in the parking lot you can order from. They are also dog friendly, which is awesome! The ambiance was your typical brewery. Pretty loud, but all in good fun. Our servers were fine. I will say it is a bit pricey... $4 a pour for each tasting glass.

our first experience there and what a surprise! great food and great venue 10 out of 10!…read morehighly recommend you check this place out !

Great wine selection and knowledgeable staff Some wines new…read moreto us The buyer made great recommendations

Fantastic gourmet shop to grab key things you need for entertaining: wine, cheese, salami, &…read morehousemade dips for your charcuterie, the tastiest crispy chips. Don't miss the frozen case featuring Afterglow ice cream sandwiches made in Maine. People will fight over the Classic sweet cream between brown butter chocolate chip cookies. The restaurant no longer has regular hours. But their Wiener Wednesdays featuring inventive hot dogs, along w/ curated pop-ups are not to be missed. They're really community-minded, so great local stop.

If only I lived closer... I'd be at Vessel & Vine ALL. THE. TIME…read more I've been a huge fan of this wine store for years. It's got so much character, and the people running it are some of the nicest humans ever. I don't think I've ever left without a smile on my face, or without a bottle (or two) of something new and interesting. Their selection is incredible; not just wine, but also vermouths, Campari, and even pasta and bread?! Like, what don't they do? And the vibes??! Perfection. In the winter, it gives a mix of Scandinavia and Spain, and I'm so here for it. Oh, and they have a full wine bar with pours and bites. Just go... you'll thank me later.

Great jazz band tonight good brews and cocktails here for everyone! Great location and live music…read moreoutside seating!

If you're visiting Portland, pop over to Washington Ave and visit this local gin distillery. Grab a…read moresofa, stool, or chair in their tasting room with some friends and immerse yourself in some local made gin cocktails. The beautiful high ceilings with huge windows and the afternoon sun streaming in is an extra bonus to this laid back spot. They have multiple seasonal cocktail options that are delicious, along with the classics (Bees Knees & French 75 were my favorite!) Our favorite gin here is the Hardshore original gin (pairs perfect in a homemade lemon drop) and the Hardshore North Oak Gin. A convenience is also that you can order the gin for a flat rate of $12 shipping (minimum two bottles) to your home! We were introduced to this place when we went with a group of friends- it's a great spot for a large group. We liked it so much, we went back the next time we were in the area. They have board games, outdoor seating, and are pup friendly, what more could you ask for! IG- Lentz_Explore

Delicious selections of wine for the wine consioure you must have a eclectic taste for wine to come…read morehere and enjoy! Don't talk about ALDI cheap red wines here it's embarrassing!

Always a treat. We don't live in Portland but we imagine it is such a gift to have a neighborhood…read morewine shop with a carefully curated selection of wines. This is one of the few places in Portland we try to visit every year when we visit and we're never disappointed. The tasting menu is always great and the owner is delightful, offering thoughtful notes on each of the wines. A great place to get out of the heat and relax during the summer. Definitely stop by!

Maine & Loire has become my go-to spot whenever I need a special bottle of wine, or something fun,…read moreor just something reliably high-quality. It's the kind of place where I can walk in and say, "Hey, I'm making haddock chowder tonight, my budget is $30," and immediately get a handful of thoughtful recommendations plus a mini wine lesson, which I always appreciate. Wine can get pretentious and intimidating so fast, and I never feel that way at Maine & Loire. I also really love their sales and loyalty program. Getting those emails with 10% off codes (which they send out pretty often!) always makes my day. Lastly, I think you can choose to drink bottles on site, but in the past their policy seemed to change a few times, so I've stopped trying and just treat them as my go-to wine shop.

Portland is in desperate need of chic wine bars, and Maine & Loire fits the bill…read more It's fun to peruse their tastefully curated wine collection (not overwhelmingly massive). Knowing a decent amount about wine, it was fun to chat with staff to find something new. I didn't feel pushed to purchase anything, although, I happily walked away with three bottles and a few more fun facts about geographical areas than I did before. Regardless of your knowledge of wine, this is *the* spot to grab a bottle. They also offer wine tasting sample events!