We were able to visit Prospect Hill Winery shortly before they closed for the winter.

Prospect Hill Winery is located in Lebanon, Maine, just over the border from Milton, New Hampshire. It is actually easier to get there from Milton than from Lebanon, due to the partially dirt road it is located on. Prospect Hill Winery sits on 54 acres of land, utilizing 2 acres for it’s vineyard at this moment. All of their grapes are French-American hybrids. parking

outside the winery- cute and rustic red grapevinesthe red grapevines

the  green grapevines

The winery is run by Richard and Anita, who were both great to meet. They were both very kind people, as well as very knowledgeable about wine. The winery has been open for 5 years, but they have been growing grapes and making wine for 10 years. The first 5 years were used to really experiment with the different grapes, different blends and different flavors. Their winery is considered an Estate Winery, which means:

• 100% of the wine must be made from grapes grown on the winery/vineyard’s land (or controlled by the winery)
• The vineyard must be in a viticultural area, and the same AVA boundary as the winery
• The wine must be fully made on it’s own premises- grapes crushed and fermented, bottled and aged

  The two tasting room tables. We sat at the one Richard is by

They currently make 16 wines from 13 grape varieties. They have a select amount open at a time- they pour a select amount so that they can give a larger pour of 3 sips per taste so that you can truly taste the wine’s flavor.

their complete wine list

 

Our Tasting:

White Wines:

Edelweiss: very sweet, citrus-y taste. Similar to a Riesling.

Edelvira: more crisp than Edelweiss. This wine is a blend of Elvira and Edelweiss grapes, creating a pear and apple flavor.

Prospect Hill Winery makes 2 other white wines, Aurore and Prospect Hill White. They are both made in small batches with tropical fruit palate. Both wines were sold out mid-season.

 the wines, set up for our tasting

Red Wines: all wines are aged for 18 months

Marechal Foch: fruit red, mellow. An everyday red. Easy red to drink. Not terribly dry.

Sabrevois: Mark said there was a lot going on with the flavors in this wine. Flavors that would compliment steak, but not compete with the flavor. Mark liked the Marechal Foch better.

Sunset Red: a blend of Chancellor (plum flavor, dinner wine) and Frontenac (black cherry flavor). Good wine to age. Really good, this was my favorite so far. We went home with a bottle.

St. Vincent: could chill in the summer for sangria. A more playful sipping wine. Has a strawberry flavor, which is either tart or ripe depending on the season. This 2011 vintage has a ripe strawberry flavor. Mark enjoyed this one.

Two Saints: full flavor, full body while still being fruity. Spicy black pepper flavor at the end.

 

Their tasting room also operates as their storage room at this moment, and is kept at a temperature that is good for the wine.

 

Want to visit?

Open Memorial Day through December 1st.

Tasting and tours Sundays from 1-5pm

Open for sales year round, call or email in advance

Their wine is also available in select local stores- check out their website to see if you will be passing by one!